NEW SHOPPING COMPLEX OPEN FOR BUSINESS BY SARAH DE CRESCENZO | 10-Aug-2009
New shopping complex open for business
By SARA DE CRESCENZO 2009-08-07 14:47:04
Glen Ricketson, owner of Sierra Wireless, only needed one look at an artist's rendering to convince himself he should relocate form his traffic-heavy West Henderson Avenue address to a new location on North Prospect Street.
"I signed the contract when the parking lot was still dirt," he said. "I'm pretty good at envisioning [what something will look like], and when I saw them building this place I thought 'this is going to look sharp.' "
The new shopping center was officially completed in late June, said Community Development Director Brad Dunlap.
Though he had not thought of moving the store before in Porterville for eight years, said his business is at least equal, if not better, than at the store's previous location.
"And we only opened July 1," he said.
Ricketson said his customers follow him regardless of where he has his store. He estimates that he has a minimum of 1,400 customers.
This is Ricketson's third move in Porterville. Each relocation has been spurred by the need for more space in which to conduct business.
"If the economy was better, I would have taken two suites [instead of one] and had an even bigger store," Ricketson said.
Ricketson's store is the first in Prospect Plaza.
One of the two general contractors, Porterville resident Terry Schuler, is optimistic about the 12 remaining suites.
"We've had a great deal more interest since the construction finished," Schuler said, referring to inquireies from possible renters.
He said once the Plaza is at full capacity, it will have between 10 and 13 tenants, depending on the size of the stores.
"Every now and then you get a tnenat that takes two or three spots," he said.
Schuler said he and co-contractor Juan Castillo are currently in the process of putting together a lease agreement for their second tenant: a barbershop.
The store will cover approximately 900 square feet and open as soon as Sept. 1.
Though the lease will only be for one suite, the owner of the store is already considering expanding to the adjacent suite.
"If there's a space empty next to him when he wants to expand, he'll move into that one," Schuler said. "He's thinking about expanding after six months."
If he chooses to rent a second suite, it will feature a complenentary beauty shop, Schuler said.
During construction, the only delay that took place was weather-related.
Rain and fog during the spring halted painting until the weather cleared, pushing the completion date two months past the original date of May 1.
"Construction actually went a little faster than what we anticipated," Schuler said.
The project took approximately nine and a half months from start to finish, he said.
The final touch - a 20-foot high sign with a 10-by-10 marquee - was erected this week.
Other possible tenants include a men's clothing store and a Mexican restaurant.
--Contact Sarah de Crescenzo at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or sdecrescenzo@portervillerecorder.com.
