Million Dollar Renovation Bringing New Tenants To Sacramento Shopping Center

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - A once high-end Sacramento shopping center is turning to big box stores to attract new customers.

"We were faced with some vacancy and said 'what are we going to do,' " said Henry Avila of Donahue Schriber.

Impacted by the recession, Town and Country Village -- on the corner of Fulton and Marconi Avenues -- just couldn't find businesses to fill it's shopping center. The occupancy rate is a whopping 80 percent. So the solution developers came up with was to reposition the mall.

"I do believe we'll be occupied with anywhere between 95 to 100 percent upon completion of these improvements," said Avila.

Now there's more positive news for the retail industry nationwide. The latest job report shows the retail industry is growing, and it's reflected with this latest construction project.

"It was somewhat enclosed previously. We didn't have good visibility from the frontage. Now we have that," said Avila.

Town and Country Village was developed in 1946. Construction is already underway and major stores like Bed Bath & Beyond, TJ Maxx, and Ross will be joining the shopping center.

Shoppers seem excited about the renovation.

"It means the economy is picking up," said shopper Anthony Robinson.

The renovations will cost about $60 million.