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Two clothing shops to close

A pair of clothing stores in Bower Place Shopping Centre are cashing out.

A pair of clothing stores in Bower Place Shopping Centre are cashing out.

Bluenotes’ final day of operation in the mall was Wednesday, and Eddie Bauer is scheduled to close at the end of this month.

Bluenotes once had a pair of stores in the city, but closed its Parkland Mall location a year and a half ago. Eddie Bauer has operated in Bower Place Shopping Centre since 2007.

Dallas Hand, the mall’s retail manager, wasn’t able to disclose whether new tenants have been secured for the spaces occupied by Bluenotes and Eddie Bauer.

“There are some new, exciting retail opportunities coming soon,” he said.

Across the city at Parkland Mall, general manager Dan Hachey expressed optimism that vacant space in his shopping centre could soon be filled.

Specifically, he’s hoping that the area occupied by Sears until 2008 will soon have a long-term tenant or tenants.

“It’s evident that retailers are more trusting of the economy now,” he said, noting that companies were reluctant to expand after the recession hit. “I think there are enough signs out there that they feel they can look at capital expenditures and growth.”

That confidence has translated into increasing inquiries and discussions about leasing opportunities at Parkland Mall.

The strength of the Alberta economy and Red Deer’s location between Calgary and Edmonton makes the city an attractive option for retailers, said Hachey. But, he added, the list of companies that don’t already have a store in Red Deer is becoming short.