New Mall at Turtle Creek prepares grand opening
Jonesboro Sun
LeAnn Askins
3/11/2006
JONESBORO -- The countdown is under way, and Northeast Arkansas is just a couple of weeks from having a plethora of new retail shopping options.
The MALL AT TURTLE CREEK will officially open at 10 a.m. March 29. A variety of activities are planned to help celebrate the grand opening of the new facility at the corner of Highland and Stadium.
Jason Whitley, general manager, said the kickoff to the mall celebrations will begin March 28 with a Grand Opening Gala.
"It's a red carpet theme," he said.
The event will include Hollywood-style entertainers and hors d'oeuvres and will begin at 7 p.m.
Whitley said the night will be a big occasion "with a lot of star presence and more fun than anyone has had in a long, long time."
Tickets for the gala are $100 each with proceeds benefiting the St. Bernard's Development Foundation. The foundation is a charitable organization that supports the mission of St. Bernard's Healthcare. A variety of services and equipment are funded by the foundation, including nursing scholarships for students and current nurses this year.
Tickets for the black tie optional event can be purchased by calling 336-2950.
Whitley said completion of the mall is progressing as the opening date draws nears.
"We're on schedule," he said, adding that work is being done 24 hours a day. Things are shaping up real nice."
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m. March 29 prior to the opening.
The first 500 shoppers will get gift bags with a "Shop till you drop" survival kit theme, the general manager said.
Shoppers will have a chance to register for several giveaways at the Customer Service Desk including a 42-inch plasma television and a $1,000 shopping spree. Central Auto Group will give away a new car at 2 p.m. April 8.
Finalists' drawings will be held daily April 1-7, and finalists must be present to win on April 8.
March 30 has been designated Children's Day at the mall. The St. Bernard's Fun Forest will be open with a dedication at 10 a.m. The more than 1,200-square-foot children's play area will include soft foam animal characters and a 15-foot lifelike oak treehouse as the center point.
The fun forest is a partnership with St. Bernard's. Details on two other partnerships, with Arkansas State University and Coca-Cola, will be released soon, Whitley said.
The first 200 children age 8 and younger will receive gifts and animated character appearances are scheduled.
The arrival of the Easter bunny will help culminate the day at 4 p.m.
Whitley said he is looking forward to the community seeing the completed mall.
"I think for most people who see the finished stage for the first time, it will be breathtaking."
A list of tenants is available at shopturtlecreek.com.
back to top