The Buzz: Fox River Mall stores shuffle

Pink will expand later this spring after Tradehome moves across the hall to the former Clark’s space.(Photo: File)

The Fox River Mall will see construction activity and store openings through mid-summer.

Here’s a peek at some of the changes:

Tradehome

Tradehome, a shoe store on the central corridor, submitted plans to the town of Grand Chute to move across the hall to the former Clarks shoe store spot. Clarks closed March 25.

This Tradehome is a powerhouse in its chain, ranked in the top five of the company’s 111 stores.

“We will be moved in by May 15. It’s going to be a pretty quick changeover,” said Jeff Yaun, general manager. “We’ll do an overnight switch when it’s ready.”

He said the store is moving because Pink next door needs to expand, and the timing worked out well for everyone.

“It’s an excellent move for us because we’ll have more space in back and a better lease rate,” he said.

Yaun has been with Tradehome’s mall store for 20 years and said it has always been a strong retailer in the Fox Cities. “At one point, for a short time, we had four stores at the same time – downtown, in the Valley Fair Mall, Northland Mall and in this mall.”

The new Tradehome store design has modern angled shelving on metal poles instead of the stained oak shelves it now has. “It will be less stuffy, more sporty,” he said.

Pink

As soon as Tradehome moves across the hall to its new spot in May, Pink, its next-door neighbor, will absorb Tradehome’s vacated space, according to plans filed with the town.

Pink is a young women’s loungewear, PJ and lingerie shop, and a division of Victoria’s Secret. It will nearly double its size when the addition is complete.

Pandora

Pandora, the Danish jewelry maker and retailer known for its charms and bracelets, holds a grand opening April 19 for its new store on the corner of the central corridor and entrance to the food court.

That spot was once The Body Shop. Pandora previously had a franchised store in the mall that closed in 2016.

Athleta

Athleta, a women’s active clothing retailer, is taking the former Limited location in the Macy’s wing. The store is expected to be ready in July.