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VIENNA -- Four retailers will join Grand Central Mall next year in the area vacated by Sears.
Construction is expected to begin this fall on an addition to the end of the mall to house HomeGoods, PetSmart, Ross Dress for Less and T.J. Maxx, mall owner Washington Prime Group announced in a press release Wednesday.
"We're really excited that these retailers wanted to come to the Mid-Ohio Valley," mall General Manager Jody Hopkins said.
Sears closed in December amid ongoing financial struggles for the Sears Holding Company, and demolition of the Sears section of the mall began in the spring.
The four new stores will be attached to the mall, but only Ross Dress for Less will have an interior entrance in addition to an external entrance. The other three stores will only have external entrances.
Construction on the addition is expected to start in early fall, with anticipated openings in late 2020, Hopkins said.
The four retailers will add to the diversity of businesses at the mall, Hopkins said.
"We try to have the best merchandise mix for our customers," he said.
HomeGoods is an off-price retailer of home fashion and home basic merchandise operating more than 500 stores in the United States. The nearest locations are in South Charleston and Lancaster, Ohio.
It's part of the TJX Companies Inc., which also includes T.J. Maxx.
T.J. Maxx has a location in Grand Central Plaza on Murdoch Avenue, not far from where the new location will be. The future of that store was unclear Wednesday. A TJX spokeswoman said via email Wednesday that no store changes have been announced at this time.
Vienna Mayor Randy Rapp noted T.J. Maxx will be a new addition to Vienna, because the current site is located outside city limits.
"I'm very excited about the four new stores that are coming," he said. "I'm very excited because of the investment that they're making in the mall property."
PetSmart has more than 1,650 locations in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, with the nearest locations in South Charleston and Athens, Ohio. The specialty pet retailer offers food and other products, as well as training, grooming, boarding and even veterinary services in some locations.
A PetSmart spokeswoman confirmed the company plans to open a store in Vienna next year, with additional details to be revealed as the date approaches.
Ross Dress for Less features department and specialty store brands at bargain prices. A message to the company was not returned Wednesday. The closest Ross locations are in Columbus and Washington, Pa.
Wood County Economic Development Director Lindsey Piersol said Wednesday's announcement is part of a "substantial investment of capital back into this community.
"I want to thank the mall GM Jody Hopkins, Washington Prime Group and the City of Vienna for their commitment to Wood County," she said. "These new stores will serve as great additions to the mall for shoppers to keep our economy expanding. I am ecstatic and know how much work went into landing these stores."
The mall recently welcomed Big Lots into the former Toys R Us location, while children's clothing retailer Carter's & OshKosh B'gosh and American Eagle women's apparel shop Aerie are expected to open in the third quarter of 2019.
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com