Despite economy, crowds pack Tacoma Mall grand reopening

Despite economy, crowds pack Tacoma Mall grand reopening

The big new Nordstrom store opened Friday, Oct. 3, at the Tacoma Mall.

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Story Published: Oct 3, 2008 at 6:12 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 3:20 AM PDT

By Keith Eldridge

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TACOMA - As many companies cut back and lay off workers, Tacoma Mall is betting millions on a bright future.

A huge new Nordstrom store welcomed shoppers Friday at a grand re-opening.

And in another part of the mall, a brand new lifestyle area opened.

On a day when all eyes are on the economy - with the president signing a $700 billion bailout following multiple bank failures - there was some concern that the Tacoma Mall events might be a bust.

But - to the contrary - the place was packed.

"I am shocked that there are so many people here," said customer Lynn Morasch. "I really thought there wouldn't be quite so many people here. But Tacoma was so needing this."

Howard and Etta Smith were also there. They decided to go shopping rather than home worrying about the economy.

"You've got to have some happiness somewhere," said Etta Smith. "You can't just be stressing. Stress doesn't solve the problem. So this is a good way to relieve stress."

It's not that this is something brand new for Tacoma. Nordstrom had been a longtime tenant at the Tacoma Mall.

But instead of just remodeling the existing store, Nordstrom three years ago decided to build a brand new store and tear down the old one.

No one knew back then how risky a decision that would be - no one saw the Wall Street collapse and mortgage crisis.

Says Brooke White of Nordstrom, "Our store decisions are long term decisions, and despite what's going on in the economy right now, we're going to weather this and we believe the community will weather it in the long run, too. And so ... we're thrilled we could finally do this."

When the doors opened this morning, the new store was flooded even though the economy was still very much on everyone's minds. Evidently it was not enough to prevent customers from being part of this event - like at the new brow bar.

The mall's new lifestyle section, with stores nd a restaurant with outside entrances, was packed as well.

Customer Susan Rezentes said, "I just wanted to be part of the grand opening and, as you can tell, there's so many people here I think the economy is kind of put aside for a day and everybody is treating themselves."

The big question is: will these shoppers come back in the days to come - the days leading up to the all-important Christmas shopping season?

Only time will tell.

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