WARSAW — The old adage, "When one door closes another opens," seems to be the case with the Marketplace of Warsaw where Big Lots ceased operations earlier this month.

But on Monday, Bealls, opened its doors just to the south of Big Lots for a 'soft opening," much to the delight of some shoppers.

"My sister got me started at the one in Columbia City and I just found tons of stuff in my size. I was so excited and I could afford it," said Eileen Tucker of Warsaw who visited the store Wednesday afternoon. "This is a very nice store."

The national chain will celebrate its grand opening Friday with a ribbon cutting with the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce, kicking off three days of sales.

Bealls sells clothing, home accessories and shoes, among other things.

Soon after Bealls announced its plans to open the local store, the Big Lots corporate office announced that its Warsaw store would be among hundreds that the company planned to close.

As of Wednesday, that store was completely cleaned out, perhaps in hopes of attracting another tenant.

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WARSAW — City Council President Jack Wilhite is one of several people applauding the city’s decision to use $1.2 million two years ago to help financially revive Marketplace of Warsaw shopping center.

Wilhite says the decision by the city to use $1.2 million in tax increment finance revenue was a good move that will bring the city benefits for years to come in the form of sustained tax revenues from the property near the corner of Center Street and US 30.

The arrival of Bealls — announced earlier this week — brings the shopping center’s occupancy rate up above 80 percent two years after an infusion of money from the city and Sullivan Wickley, the Atlanta-based developer, into the deteriorating retail property that had lost many of its tenants and was likely on the verge of closing.

While he's leery of government ever playing favorites, Wilhite points out that the city stepped in after it became clear that the shopping center could lose its final few tenants and become a major blighted area in an area that sits just yards away from a main corridor.

The past investment, he said, ensures future tax revenue while boosting the business climate.

"These investments come back and help us with tax money. They also help keep the tax rate down. It's really a win-win situation," Wilhite said.

He's also quick to point out that news of the store coming to Warsaw has been popular with some.

"I can tell you my wife is very excited," Wilhite said. "She's gone to a number of Bealls when we go down to Daytona and she's excited. I can tell you that."

Warsaw is not alone in choosing to support the private sector in redevelopment efforts for shopping centers.

[caption id="attachment_96135" align="alignright" width="300"] Stephanie Hood stands inside the Shoe Sensation store in MarketPlace of Warsaw. She said she thinks the arrival of a new anchor store will help bring more traffic and sales to the store. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

John Murphy, a partner with Sullivan Wickley said the firm spent millions of dollars of its own money in numerous ways to rehabilitate the property. Much of that involved replacing heating and air conditioning units that had quit working as well as improving the parking lot.

More recently, the company upgraded sidewalks along many storefronts as Sullivan Wickley pushes to fill a few remaining storefronts on the property.

Murphy said support from municipalities — especially with the use of tax increment finance money — is a trend seen across the country as developers try to revive shopping centers hurt by shifts in the economy and American spending habits.

"The city leadership used the TIF money in the right way, versus other cities subsidizing new construction — that's silly. That's just giving developers money," Murphy said.

Along with Bealls, the developer has since brought in Big Lots, Gabe's and Planet Fitness to the shopping center.

Several store managers and employees said they were pleased with the investment and arrival of Bealls, but many could not talk on the record because of corporate policy.

That was not the case for Stephanie Hood, manager at Shoe Sensation, which is possibly one of the longest-standing tenants in the shopping center.

"I am so thrilled that it's opening!" Hood said. "I go to the one in Florida and the one in Columbia City. This is going to be so close so I can spend all the money I make!"

She also sees it as a benefit to the shoe store, which sits on the far east end of the property near where a Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch office had previously been located.

"It's gonna generate business and we need that since the BMV just moved out so that's going to make a huge difference," she said.

Beals is expected to open this fall in the storefront just west of Gabe's.

Bealls also has a store in Plymouth.

[caption id="attachment_96137" align="aligncenter" width="740"] Work crews are pictured in the background near a cordoned-off area where sidewalks are being repaired at MarketPlace of Warsaw shopping center earlier this week. The work is part of ongoing improvements by Sullivan Wickley as the developer continues to seek additional new tenants for the property. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

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WARSAW — Three years ago, MarketPlace of Warsaw was nearly empty and city officials were wondering if it would even remain open.

But on Tuesday, Sullivan Wickley, an Atlanta, Ga., developer — with some financial support from the city of Warsaw — announced the future arrival of the Florida-based Bealls (pronounced "Bells"), a retail chain that will open west of Gabe's storefront.

John Murphy, partner with Sullivan Wickley, told News Now Warsaw Tuesday afternoon that Bealls will open this fall and occupy 25,000 square feet of retail space.

He said Bealls will be in the corner position once held by Carson’s just west of where Gabe’s.

The addition would be another key step for Sullivan Whickley which took possession of the troubled property some three years ago and added several stores including Big Lots, Gabe’s and 24/7 Fitness after completing major renovations to the building.

"We've taken the shopping center from 14 percent occupancy, redeveloping it, and it's north of 80 (percent) in two years, that's not bad — good for the community," Murphy said.

He said they will now focus on filling the remaining few storefronts, possibly with restaurants.

In May of 2022, the city agreed to provide $1.2 million to help with renovations.

Bealls also also has stores in Columbia City and Plymouth.

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