Mall to get facelift, boost
Becker Village owners have big plans for shopping center

Published/Last Modified on Monday, December 1, 2008 1:58 PM EST

Lance Martin/Daily Herald Senior Staff Writer

At age 28, Becker Village Mall is due for a facelift and maybe some additional tenants. The mall purchased in November 2007 by a group of Valley investors has added new stores already and become a popular place to shop and meet.

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ROANOKE RAPIDS — Even as the crowds kept businesses busy at Becker Village Mall Friday, change was in the wind and it was a good breeze. The mall is expected to undergo a major facelift and a real estate firm has been hired to recruit national businesses there, one of its owners told the Daily Herald.

The mall has hired Divaris Real Estate of Virginia Beach, Va., and Perkowitz and Ruth Architects of Washington, D.C, said Lawrence White.

White, along with his brother Bill, and Paul and Ellen Heaton, bought the mall last November.

Perkowitz and Ruth, White said, are developing conceptual images of the mall for a phase 1 redesign scheduled to begin in the next 18 to 24 months. The result will be a more modern looking mall. “Lack of color was the big comment.”

The architectural firm has visited the mall several times, White said, looking at all aspects of the building, which was built in 1980.

The real estate company, White said, will be looking to secure national clients. “We all know there’s a need for national tenants. We’re seeking the most popular national tenants.”

Divaris believes in the mall project, White said. “They would not have looked at the property if they didn’t see it being a viable, achievable project. We’re in touch with them every day, two or three times a day.”

The public has also been receptive since the local group bought the mall, White said. “We haven’t run into a lot of objections.”

White said the public needs to remember that a national chain is not something that will happen overnight. “It’s not one done in a 24-hour period. It takes time.”

The owners remain positive for the renovation of the mall. “The struggling economy hasn’t helped the stores there but if all the businesses can survive this they can survive anything.”

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Comments

Sheila wrote on Dec 9, 2008 1:19 AM:

" Let's try to appeal to the younger crowd at the mall.. What about a Books a Million or Hot Topic.... We need them to shop in our community also. They go out of town for everything. "

Jeff wrote on Dec 8, 2008 12:54 PM:

" What great news! The mall has so much potential. It would be nice to have some options so we don't have to drive all the way to Raleigh or Rocky Mount. "

Merle from Michigan wrote on Dec 6, 2008 11:46 PM:

" That is great news. I am impressed to see the landscape changes when exiting I-95 going into Roanoke Rapids. Becker Mall needs a couple of good anchor stores and a good sign about the mall from both directions on I-95. They might also want to add street signs as they are a well kept secret unless you know Roanoke Rapids. Just a suggestion from the North. "

concern wrote on Dec 5, 2008 6:50 PM:

" I my self would love to see a Target! Other Stores in the area need not be all Walmart!!! "

Jeff wrote on Dec 5, 2008 12:03 PM:

" I would like to see a Boston Market restaurant open in the mall, as well as the afore mentioned Olive Garden. "

raymo wrote on Dec 5, 2008 12:23 AM:

" we need a old navy in the mall "

gfarmer wrote on Dec 4, 2008 12:52 PM:

" Not a citizen but love RR, I travel very ofter and always stop in RR. It would be so nice if the Mall got a face lift. And maybe bring stores from the North, like Ross, Marshall, TJ Maxx and Bed,Bath & Beyond its such a nice place.
Give the people another choice beside Wal mart. We got to be positive we know it takes time. I believe it will happen and looking forward, can't wait. "

A citizen wrote on Dec 2, 2008 12:53 PM:

" I feel that it is great for the owners of the mall to try to give it an upgrade. I think it needs a store in the mall to compete with Walmart because Walmart is constantly going up on prices. With no competition in the area what can we do. It is crazy to see the same products in the Walmart in Rocky Mount and Tarboro cheaper than in the RR store. Also I think the mall needs a nice restaurant (maybe Olive Garden) I have seen nice restaurants in other malls and it seems to work. "

RRResident wrote on Dec 1, 2008 2:12 PM:

" I'll believe it when I see it. "

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