Mike Wolanin | The Republic People walk past Lucas Bros. Sandwich Shop in NexusPark in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Oct. 21, 2022.
The lull before the possible boom.
That’s how some of the NexusPark businesses are optimistically viewing the current physical transformation from the former FairOaks Mall to the new concept of a health, wellness, and recreation venue — one that still plans to feature a variety of retail options.
Some shop owners say the closing of the north side, back portion of the 25th Street property two months ago while Force Construction and Taylor Brothers Construction began remaking the structure apparently has indirectly sent a wrong signal to shoppers and others that all business has come to a halt inside.
An untrue assumption, owners say.
“But sometimes in business, you have to make sacrifices a little bit to get something good,” said Carlos Lanoire, owner of Carlos Pizza located on the back side of Nexus Park since 2000, making it one of the oldest shops in the facility that originally opened as FairOaks Mall in 1989.
Lanoire acknowledged that his foot traffic has slowed since construction began on the side facing Herman Darlage Drive, where his diners used to park.
“But we’re still doing all right,” he said.
Lanoire is one of several owners of the nine current NexusPark businesses. And he is one who said he is hoping that when all work is complete by a projected estimate of late 2023 or early 2024, his restaurant will have the advantage of having in-house customers from Columbus Parks and Recreation Department and Columbus Regional Health, plus visiting athletes and their families and friends here for sports tournaments.
“That’s what we’re hoping for, too,” said Kim Showalter, NexusPark property manager, adding that other retailers will be added in the future.
She said she has encouraged tenants to advertise wherever they can to increase visibility.
William Broaddus, owner of Lucas Brothers Sandwich Shop that opened in the spring, acknowledged that his restaurant recently has been struggling to attract customers.
“Out of sight, out of mind,” Broaddus said.
Without a sizable, outdoor sign advertising the eatery’s existence, he said he’s still regularly meeting people with no idea that the restaurant is operating inside NexusPark. He added that such invisible status cannot go on indefinitely and have the business remain solvent. Besides, he already recently had to trim workers’ hours because of a drop in customers after the lunch hour.
“And it’s hard enough to get staff as it is,” Broaddus said.
He mentioned that a new electronic venue sign facing 25th Street that flashes and highlights each business for a few seconds at a time probably helps. Plus, a small, physical Lucas Brothers sign is placed in front of the NexusPark entrance daily. But he also said that he needs another avenue to reach diners who loved Lucas Brothers’ burgers and more through the years.
“But until all of this construction is done and there are sporting events going on there and office employees working in there, it’s probably going to be a struggle,” Broaddus said. “But one of our fears with all that is that our rent would then eventually increase.”
Creative Eyes owner Malini Patel moved her shop into the then-FairOaks Mall in 2007. She said she believes the planned facility changes could be especially good for her eyebrow threading work.
“Business is still pretty good,” Patel said. “But it was stronger before COVID happened.”
The one outlet that reported that business has been the most solid is Dunham Sports, with the venue’s largest sign by far and the largest lit interior space facing the front of the structure.
“Business has been busy and good,” said Amy Unruh, a seven-year employee and one of the Dunham managers.
Another staffer mentioned that construction has had no impact, and he mentioned that has been largely because of the retailer having its own entrance and parking right outside the door.
Unruh acknowledged that the Lincoln Park ball diamonds and the Hamilton Center Ice Arena across the street automatically draw customers to Dunham. And she imagines that, when NexusPark construction finishes, business will grow even more.
“I would think that it would have to, since so much of it will be sports-related,” she said.
Next door to the sporting goods business at the very visible Riviera Maya restaurant facing NexusPark’s current front entrance, business remains “still about the same” as before the construction began, according to Antonio Ruiz, restaurant manager. He, like a few other business leaders there, mentioned that having the early November voting center at NexusPark has reminded at least some residents that business continues among retailers and eateries.
“We’ve seen a little bit of that (extra traffic) here,” Ruiz said.
Others such as staff at Bath and Bodyworks have said outright that business has slowed in the past several months.
“But, with the voting center now in here, though, we have been getting more people coming in to see us just recently,” said Juanita Ramos, one of the Bath and Bodyworks managers. “And we also have had quite a number of people calling us just asking if we’re still here during all the demolition.”
She added that a number of prospective customers have been slightly confused by the second Bath and Bodyworks location at Indiana Premium Outlets in Edinburgh. Some have thought that that northern outlet meant that the NexusPark Bath and Bodyworks location closed.
Ramos said staff ideally would like to see an uptick in shoppers at least by next month’s Black Friday.
“We’re really hoping so,” she said.
For now, the retailer is planning to move to Columbus Center on National Road by early next year.
NexusPark businesses still operating
Dunham’s Sports sporting goods
Riviera Maya restaurant
Creative Eyes eyebrow threading
Percellnal Touch cell phone accesories and more
Nirvana stores clothing
Lucas Brothers Sandwich Shop
Carlos Pizza
Discount Shoes
Bath and Bodyworks
