Sandburg Mall as it is will be no more.
New ownership plans to redevelop the mall by demolishing all but three anchor stores — Bergners, JCPenney and the vacant Sears building.
The fourth anchor — the vacant K-Mart — is not under mall ownership and it’s fate is unclear.
That’s all according to Tom Morris. Morris works as a consultant to owner G.L. Buck Harris who purchased the mall in August.
Morris says redevelopment could mean adding restaurants, apartments, an entertainment center or even a hotel, though none have been confirmed.
He says a date has not been set for demolition, but tenants have been asked to leave by March.
WGIL reached out today to a number of the businesses who will now be shutting down their current storefronts.
Hibbett Sports manager Toby Ladendorf says “it’s sad” to see something that’s been a part of his history be torn down.
Bob Spears with Defenders of Freedom says their non-profit that opened in the mall earlier this year will now have to find a new space. He feels the closure, “hasn’t been handled right.”
“If I was going to own a store or take possession of a store, I’d at least go in and talk to the people who are already there and see how it’s going or what’s happening and everything,” Spears says. “No one, not even the mall manager has been in to say squat to us. It’s not right. We’re the one’s paying their paychecks. They’re not paying ours. Apparently they don’t want to reveal (sic) nothing to us and that’s fine. I guess secrets are to be kept.”
Morris says they want to work with Galesburg officials. He adds that the developer, “wants to make sure whatever is developed meets everyone’s desires and requirements. “
