YORK-Renovations continue at Kingsgate Green Shopping Center on Waller Mill Road in Greater Williamsburg. For Karen Mikulski, a partner and senior vice president for the leasing agent, the only issue is one of optics.
“The problem is it looks like we’re not doing anything, but we really are,” said Mikulski, who is with The Shopping Center Group (TSCG).
She said it’s been a challenge recently getting materials on time.
“It has slowed everything down tremendously,” she said. “Even trying to get the roof replaced, items were not getting here. So, we had to delay, delay, delay.”
Another issue was waiting for doors to be delivered. “It’s things like that you wouldn’t think would be an issue,” she said.
Storefronts are receiving an updated look, according to Mikulski, and TSCG is working on another tenant to replace the rest of the space that used to house Kmart. The remaining space is about 40,000 square feet.
“Hopefully, that lease will get signed here within the next few days,” she said in the mid-April.
In the past year, leases have been signed for Ashley HomeStore and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet. Leases also have been extended on some existing tenants, and Mikulski’s group is working on re-signing H&R Block and International Styles Unisex Salon. Locke Supply Company is also interested in a space within the shopping complex, though nothing official has been announced.
“We’re talking to some small-shop tenants, too, but the main objective is to get the renovations done and get the spaces fitted for tenancy,” she said, adding she wasn’t at liberty to reveal any names or what businesses they are in.
TSCG also leases for Victory Village Shopping Center on Mooretown Road, which is also in upper York County in Greater Williamsburg.
“We like Williamsburg. We think there’s lot of growth happening in Williamsburg,” Mikulski said. “It’s just a really good market for retail.”
She thinks Williamsburg will always be in demand.
“We feel confident we can get Kingsgate Green leased and better than ever,” Mikulski said. “We think Williamsburg is just going to keep getting better.”