Dismantling of the former Sears store is underway at Northgate Mall to make way for a planned BJ’s Wholesale Club store in one of the biggest changes at the shopping center in years.
Rodney Vass, an owner of the Colony 13 gift shop at the Hixson mall, said work began Thursday on the demolition of the vacant department store, and he’s excited about the wholesale club serving as an anchor for the center.
“A lady was in our store who lived in Connecticut, and they had one there. She really liked it,” Vass said in a phone call, adding he’s hopeful BJ’s will bring more foot traffic.
The 158,000-square-foot former Sears had been a fixture at the Hixson mall that opened in 1972.
Stacey Keating, vice president of corporate communications at mall owner CBL Properties, said Friday that Sears was one of the original anchors at Northgate.