Folsom's Palladio Mall Showing Signs Of Growth

FOLSOM (CBS13) - Palladio Mall has admittedly struggled to find tenants in years past but Friday with a job fair at a bar and estaurant and construction happening just across the street, it appears the tide may finally be turning.

"Very different than 2008, 2009 and even 2010," said Gloria Wright, the mall's general manager.

Just weeks before its grand opening, Toby Keith's I Love This Bar And Grill is hiring. Job-seekers lined up Friday as the restaurant is looking for bartenders, bussers and servers - more than 150 positions in all.

"I'm amped totally because this is going to be a great place to work," one job seeker said.

The country star's restaurant is one of five new businesses opening at Folsom's open-air mall just this month, and there's more on the way.

There are signs all around that, at least here, the slow economy is turning around. The movie theater's been open since late 2009, but recently anchor tenant Whole Foods had its grand opening. Wright says the mall is now 60 percent leased, with more interest from potential tenants.

"This 2012, late 2011 has really been an economic engine of vitality," she said. "We're really gaining momentum."

She says more shops will open in time for the holidays.. And some well-known ones, too. But she can't announce anything publicly until the leases are finalized, only saying, "People will be very excited about them."
But she's promising some big names in time for the holidays, when things should look a whole lot different here.