Fort Edward Mall owners keeping cards close

Despite a recent rash of store closures there are still no answers forthcoming regarding the future of Fort Edward Mall, leaving some wondering if it will even remain open.

Others, however, are quite confident the future holds opportunities.

Two more stores are now slated to leave the mall in the coming weeks, Gift to Please will close by the end of this month, with E&R Jewelry following suit by the end of September. Owners of those stores, Reid and Ethel Dearman, have leased a space at the Fort Edward for the past 15 years but have declined to comment on why they chose to jump ship at this time, stating only, “we want to leave on good terms.”

When questioned, mall manager Ron Flewwelling said he was not authorized to speak about the situation on behalf of mall owners Crombie-REIT, but noted that there are no plans to close the mall, “It will remain open for the long-term,” he said. Neither could he comment on speculations around possible renovations or expansions.

Abraham Zebian owns Joe’s Men’s Wear, which has been a mall staple for decades. He maintains the family business is prepared to weather the changes despite lack of communication from Crombie. “We really can’t say we know what is going on at this point, but something will; it may just take time.” And when that time comes, Zebian says his store will be ideally located. “It would be a lot harder to leave and then get back in then to stay where we are.”

Windsor Home Hardware owner Jeff Redden had said last month that they plan to expand that location. He continues to stand by that statement now as negotiations with unfold. “All I can say is that I’m very excited.”

However, Mayor Anna Allen has said that although staffs have made numerous attempts to contact Crombie executives the town is none the wiser about the areas only shopping centre. “It’s been a real challenge to get a hold of anyone from that company, my office has made several attempts; but we will continue to pursue the matter until we get an answer,” she said.

With the widening of Wentworth Road approaching phase-three the high-traffic area is already attracting interest from potential businesses. Allen said, with that in mind, disclosure from Crombie is essential. “They are missing out on what the town has planned for that area we need to be informed on what they are doing as well. It’s time we sit down and work together.”