Ross Dress for Less, HomeGoods, T.J.Maxx and PetSmart are seen at the Grand Central Mall in Vienna Tuesday. The stores opened in 2021, collectively replacing the former Sears location. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

VIENNA — West Virginia’s first enclosed shopping mall, Grand Central Mall, has seen many changes in the past several years in a rapidly shifting retail landscape since the doors opened in 1972.

General Manager Jody Hopkins said new stores have opened at Grand Central in an era when many malls are struggling.

Grand Central Mall has more than 80 retailers and restaurants, Hopkins said, which provides the region with shopping, dining and employment opportunities.

“Many of our retailers and restaurants are local businesses,” he said. “We are always looking to add unique concepts, especially up and coming brands that our guests will be curious about.”

Hopkins said new stores that came to the mall in 2024 include Rally House, Pandora, MINISO, FYE and Survival Ridge.

Ulta Beauty has been on the Grand Central Mall property since 2018. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

“We continue to see demand for space from national, regional and local retailers,” he said.

Hopkins said when a store closes it is an opportunity to introduce new retailers/offerings to better serve guests. During the past few years, he said, the mall has seen more than 200,000 square feet of new or remodeled tenants open at Grand Central Mall.

Highlights over the past few years include:

* Windsor, Ashcroft & Oak and Shipwreck Collection in 2023.

* In early 2022, Longhorn Steakhouse moved to a fully remodeled space along Grand Central Avenue. Tradehome Shoes also opened in early 2022, which brought a variety of premium brands to the mall. Boot Barn opened in July 2022.

Owners Chris and Robin Derenberger cut the ribbon in November at Survival Ridge in the Grand Central Mall. (File Photo)

* In August 2020, Shoe Department Encore remodeled and expanded into a 16,000-square-foot space near the food court.

* In 2019, children’s clothing retailer Carter’s & OshKosh B’gosh opened.

* In 2018 Ulta Beauty and Five Below replaced a former hhgregg location.

* Hibbett Sports, a national chain of athletic goods, joined Grand Central Mall in 2018.

T.J.Maxx, HomeGoods, PetSmart and Ross Dress for Less opened in July of 2021; they collectively replaced the former Sears location at Grand Central Mall, Hopkins said.

“This first-class redevelopment has been wildly successful and well received by our guests, tenants and community neighbors and partners,” he said. “T.J.Maxx relocated from the shopping plaza across the street while Ross Dress for Less, HomeGoods and PetSmart were new to this market, drawing customers consistently from a 40-mile radius.”

Hopkins added leading up to the opening of the new stores, Grand Central Mall completed an updated customer entrance.

“The additional parking has allowed customers more convenient access to the north end of the center plus easier access to our outdoor shops like Ulta and Old Navy,” he said.

Grand Central Mall remains a top attraction in the community, he said.

“Visitors frequent the mall to shop, dine and take part in all our programming and events, which bring the community together,” he added.

Hopkins said the mall is home to several community events, ranging from traditional visits with the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus, special events like Toddler Tuesday and Craft Fairs to stock car and sports card shows.

“With spring approaching quickly, we are excited to be welcoming the Easter Bunny back this year beginning on March 21,” he said. “Sensitive Bunny will welcome guests with special needs for a memorable photo experience supportive of sensory, physical, and developmental needs on Sunday, April 6.”

More information is available online at grandcentralmall.com or Facebook.

Jeffrey Saulton can be reached at jsaulton@newsandsentinel.com.