This story is developing.
We told you on October 14, 2016 that Artegon Mall was put up for sale. On October 22 we told you the property may become a theme park. No buyer has been reported yet but according to multiple sources who came to The Daily City this morning, Artegon Mall is closing in 2 weeks on January 26th. Management told Vendors that a statement would go out publicly as early as today.
Bass Pro Shop and Cinemark movie theatre will remain open. They're not on Lightstone property.
This Week's Timeline of Events:
David Miskin, Chief Creative Officer for the Lightstone Group, told the vendors at the meeting that they were allowed to have customers up until January 26th. After that, no more customers could enter the mall. Vendors were told that they are able to shut down before or after the 26th, so long as it's done before or after open hours. Special exceptions are vendors like Gods and Monsters and the glass shop, for example.
Over the last two weeks, vendors reported seeing people in suits doing walk-thrus, walking the mall, pointing at fixtures, etc. The rumor amongst the vendors is that the new buyers, as they walked the mall, realized that no vendors had been notified of the sale and demanded that the vendors be told. Hence the meeting called for today.
The reason for the sudden closure was not provided by Miskin. He told them that there is no buyer and asked the vendors not to tell their customers of the closure.
Management told them that the idea of the mall was "amazing" and that they are opening other malls across the country based on the idea.
Related, sources told The Daily City that on the evening of November 14th 2016, after the mall had closed for the night, all vendors were escorted off property and security was told to leave. Vendors were told that management was doing a "testing" that security was not going to be there for. All the mall entrances were blocked off. Vendors believed that the reason for that November 14th closure was that potential buyers were there to tour the facility
Bass Pro Shop and Cinemark movie theatre will remain open. They're not on Lightstone property.
This Week's Timeline of Events:
- Monday a letter was given to all vendors directing them to attend a Thursday morning meeting.
- Tuseday the entire Visual Design team was let go. Wednesday the rest of the mall staff was let go.
- Tuesday afternoon Artegon's social media (Instagram, Facebook and Twitter) all went offline.
- Tuesday evening all the mall furniture that decorated the hallways were completely removed.
David Miskin, Chief Creative Officer for the Lightstone Group, told the vendors at the meeting that they were allowed to have customers up until January 26th. After that, no more customers could enter the mall. Vendors were told that they are able to shut down before or after the 26th, so long as it's done before or after open hours. Special exceptions are vendors like Gods and Monsters and the glass shop, for example.
Over the last two weeks, vendors reported seeing people in suits doing walk-thrus, walking the mall, pointing at fixtures, etc. The rumor amongst the vendors is that the new buyers, as they walked the mall, realized that no vendors had been notified of the sale and demanded that the vendors be told. Hence the meeting called for today.
The reason for the sudden closure was not provided by Miskin. He told them that there is no buyer and asked the vendors not to tell their customers of the closure.
Management told them that the idea of the mall was "amazing" and that they are opening other malls across the country based on the idea.
Related, sources told The Daily City that on the evening of November 14th 2016, after the mall had closed for the night, all vendors were escorted off property and security was told to leave. Vendors were told that management was doing a "testing" that security was not going to be there for. All the mall entrances were blocked off. Vendors believed that the reason for that November 14th closure was that potential buyers were there to tour the facility