Fighting against recent news reports of the demise of shopping malls, Mall St. Matthews on Shelbyville Rd. is investing in a renovation of the mall’s food courts, to the tune of almost three-quarters of a million dollars. The upgrade work will include new furnishings and modernized restrooms.
According to a story in the Courier-Journal, Mall St. Matthews General Manager David Jacoby said the renovation is expected to be completed by Nov. 1. Other improvements will include new lighting, new ceiling enhancements, new columns and new wall treatments.”We will make it a cool gathering place. We will really make it pop,” he said of the food court in the C-J story.
The improvements have been needed for several years. Ten food outlets, including a Chick-fil-A, a Freakin’ Unbelievable Burgers, and stations selling pizza, cheese steaks and Mexican and Asian food provide nourishment for hungry mall shoppers. The bulk of the construction is reportedly expected to be undertaken after hours to minimize the inconvenience to customers.
The updating of the food court comes on the heels of the announcement of major renovations at Mall St. Matthews to accommodate Dave & Buster’s as a new anchor tenant, which will require the downsizing of the Forever 21 store.
Dave & Buster’s, popular bar restaurant and family entertainment chain, may occupy up to 60,000 square feet on the mall’s second level in the area near the cinemas. Plans call for the Forever 21 store to shrink from about 109,000 square feet on two levels to around 30,000 square feet on the lower level to make way for the new tenant.
