It is unclear what is ahead for the Gulf View Square Mall's former JCPenney and Macy's stores, but one county official says the purchase of both earlier this year is a positive sign.
- Former JC Penney, Macy's stores purchased
- Warranty deeds show B&Z Port Richey, LLC bought the stores
- Mall shoppers hope new stores will open
"It is good to see folks taking a chance, getting over here, seeing what we have to offer and believing in Pasco County," said Pasco County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Wells.
Warranty deeds show B&Z Port Richey, LLC bought the stores. The address listed for B&Z in the documents is the same as that of Dorvidor Management Company out of Miami.
Dorvidor did not respond to requests for comment on plans for the sites. According to its web site, it owns several apartment complexes around Tampa Bay, including Park Place Port Richey Apartments.
Wells said he is optimistic that plans for Gulf View Square could line up with the county's own Harbors Redevelopment Plan. He said when it comes to the mall, the plan calls for a focus on housing, offices, retail space and natural, open areas. He said those kind of communities featuring multiple amenities are in demand among millennials.
"They don't want to have to drive an hour to work every day, like I did. They want to stay, work, and maybe walk, maybe take a golf cart or another means of transportation," Wells said.
People at the mall Wednesday said they're looking forward to see what comes next.
"I think it would be really cool to have some new stuff open up in there," said Raiden Mazzotta, who works at the mall.
"It's all dying," shopper Lena Shaeer of Spring Hill. "We need something."
A county spokesperson said neither B&Z nor Dorvidor submitted applications to either the building construction services or central permitting departments.
The mall's general manger also said he had no information about plans for either site.