White Oaks Mall has new leader; Li’l Willy’s Smokehouse to open
There’s been a change at the top of White Oaks Mall.
Clay Emerich, the mall’s general manager since 2016, is out. And Adrienne Hood, a veteran of two malls in Simon Property Group’s portfolio, is in. Her first day was Aug. 10.
Simon declined to elaborate on the circumstances surrounding Emerich’s departure, with spokeswoman Ali Slocum saying they “don’t discuss personnel matters.”
Emerich did not respond to a request for comment. But, according to his LinkedIn account, the former mall manager has relocated to Fort Worth, Texas, and lists his job title as property manager “seeking new opportunity.”
Hood has been with Simon since February 2019, first working as an assistant general manager at The Domain retail center in Austin, Texas, and then as mall manager of The Shops at Chestnut Hill in Massachusetts.
According to the (Quincy, Massachusetts) Patriot Ledger, Hood is a graduate of Tuskegee University with more than 15 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate and property management and previously held management positions in Atlanta.
Hood did not respond to further requests for comment.
She enters at a challenging time for brick-and-mortar retail. The trend toward online shopping has been apparent for years and has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
More specifically, the challenges facing White Oaks Mall are clear: two of four anchor spaces have remained vacant since the closure of Bergner’s and Sears in 2018. And several other vacancies are peppered throughout the smaller retail spaces in the mall.
Mall officials have called the turnover an opportunity to diversify the tenant base. Think less traditional retail and more entertainment, service or restaurant options.
Evidence of the diversification has emerged slowly over the years. In 2013, LA Fitness opened in the space previously occupied by Montgomery Ward at the south end of the mall. And in March 2019, arts and crafts chain Michael’s opened in the space formerly occupied by defunct electronics retailer HH Gregg.
Emerich told The State Journal-Register last year that Simon had redevelopment plans for the former Bergner’s space that were likely to proceed in late 2020 or early 2021. It is not clear if the timetable has changed.
Signal change
WMAY-AM has a new home a few ticks up the FM dial.
The Springfield news talk station, which broadcasts at 970-AM and simulcasts on 94.7-FM, added 92.7-FM to its repertoire on Sept. 1.
The station was previously branded as US 92.7 and had a country format.
“We love the country format at Mid-West Family,” said Mid-West Family Springfield general manager Mike Patterson. “However, it's hard to produce a great country station when there are limited ways to market it during the pandemic. Country radio brands grow when the staff is out and about among the community at fairs and festivals and concerts. We know what the corona has done to that segment of our economy.”
Patterson said it became clear in their analysis that “there was no way we could beat WFMB-FM at country without being able to outwork them on the streets as they've been in the country format since Nixon was president.”
“We also know you can't swing a cat in central Illinois without hitting a country station somewhere on the dial,” Patterson said.
Patterson said the 92.7 frequency offers a stronger signal that will allow WMAY to expand its FM coverage area across parts of 17 counties, particularly to areas south and east of Springfield.
“We started evaluating our options and landed on putting WMAY on that signal as it is an outstanding product with fantastic people who deserved a bigger platform to keep the Springfield area up-to-date and informed during this crucial time of our democracy when it comes to public health, the economy, and the upcoming elections which will have repercussions for years on the local economy and our communities,” Patterson said.
This year marked 25 years since WMAY switched to an all news/talk format with a focus on local news.
In addition to WMAY, Mid-West Family Broadcasting also owns 98.7-FM WNNS, an adult contemporary station; and 97.7 FM WQLZ, an active rock format.
Li’l Willy’s
Well, that was quick.
Li’l Willy’s Smokehouse BBQ will open Wednesday, a spokeswoman with Conn’s Hospitality Group confirmed. It comes less than two months after the group, which operates Obed & Isaac’s Microbrewery and Eatery, Wm. Van’s Coffee and The Inn at 835, announced plans to open the barbecue restaurant.
The restaurant has taken over the space formerly occupied by Free Press Coffee at the southeast corner of MacArthur Boulevard and South Grand Avenue West.
But not to worry, coffee drinkers. Wm. Van’s will be served at the location during morning hours.
On the barbecue side, the restaurant will offer smoked meats such as baby back ribs, brisket and pulled pork and an array of traditional sides.
Coffee will be served from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. while barbecue will be served from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Stevenson Inn
Springfield Building and Zoning has issued a permit for the demolition of the former Stevenson Inn, 2860 Stevenson Drive.
The previously city-owned property was sold in February to Tim Wilkerson, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) drag racer who owns Wilkerson’s Service Center, 2840 Stevenson Drive. The former inn is directly behind Wilkerson’s shop.
The inn had become a blight on the Stevenson Drive corridor. Wilkerson plans to use the extra space for additional parking and to expand operations.
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Filed at Springfield Building and Zoning, Aug. 24-30:
* DON CURTIS LLC, 2901 Dotmar Drive; commercial permit
* 2222 SOUTH LLC, 2234 S. Sixth St.; non-structural interior demolition
* CATALINA INVESTMENTS LLC, 2860 Stevenson Drive; demolition
* WCT INVESTMENTS LLC, 3400 Freedom Drive; sign permit
* KEITH HOOGLAND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, 3211 W. Iles Ave.; sign permit
* KEITH HOOGLAND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, 3201 W. Iles Ave.; sign permit
Brenden Moore covers business issues for The State Journal-Register. He can be reached at bmoore@sj-r.com, twitter.com/brendenmoore13.