New Store, Restaurant Coming; Mall Will Be 98 Percent Leased

A new Asian restaurant and a women's clothing store are coming to SouthPark Mall this summer.

Pholicious, an Asian soup restaurant, will take over the former Caribou Coffee site, according to Marketing Director Andy Selesnik.

And J. Jill, which sells higher-end women's clothing, has started renovating a spot next to , Selesnik said.

Also, Francesca's Collections recently took over the former Franklin-Covey space on the lower level in Center Court.

The new additions will bring the mall to near capacity.

"We're virtually 98 percent leased," Selesnik said. "For as large as we are, to be at that point is almost unheard of."

Pho is a Vietnamese rice noodle soup known for its flavorful broth and healthy ingredients. Customers choose a beef, chicken, or vegetarian broth to serve over fresh-made rice noodles, then pick ingredients: beef, chicken (white or dark meat), a seafood mix or a vegetarian medley, each topped with a choice of fresh herbs, vegetables and sauces.

The new eatery will join , a first-of-its-kind restaurant that will feature gourmet pocket sandwiches, at the mall this summer.

Great Bear, under construction next to , is expected to open in August.

Other Changes

Although the mall under new ownership -- and six other properties from Westfield earlier this year -- Selesnik said he does not believe shoppers will notice many changes at the mall, which celebrated its 15-year anniversary in October.

"I don't see a lot of big changes ahead," he said.

Some of the recent events:

 • The center finally has "mall" in its name. It was called SouthPark Center when it opened, then went to Westfield SouthPark. It's now offically called SouthPark Mall -- which is what everyone calls it anyway.

• The new website is www.shoppingsouthpark.com.

• Starwood brought on Cleveland developer Scott Wolstein as CEO of the newly launched Starwood Retail Partners.

• Selesnik, who has been with SouthPark since it opened, and General Manager Kurt Reddick, who transferred there in December, will stay in their positions. They now work for CBL Properties, a Tennessee-based retail management company.