Quite a bit of change is in process in the northwest quadrant of our city: The Shops at Rossmoor.
Having had its initial grand opening on Nov. 10, 2007, it has certainly been a rocky time to open an ambitious commercial retail project.
Recession notwithstanding, including the closure of Circuit City and change in some tenants, the Shops continue to not only hang on, but also flourish.
Catching up with Kristine Smith, who helps head up marketing for the Shops proved to be a wealth of information about not only where the shopping center has been, but where it is going.
“Century National Properties has a strong focus on creating an atmosphere which makes shopping enjoyable. With both convenience and comfort, the Shops at Rossmoor provides interesting intersections of play, community engagement and business opportunity.” Simply, there are new shops coming and new ways for customers and visitors to interact with the space.
As of January 2011, Subway, Verizon, Yogurtland and Chipotle will all be open within a new building “fourplex” that faces Seal Beach Boulevard and is roughly in front of Stats, and just up from Marie Callender’s. These will complement Panera Bread, which is occupying the Parasol building space, former location of Mel’s Diner.
There has been a great deal of speculation and rumor about In-n-Out Burgers coming to the center and, assuming it were true, there would need to be significant review of the parking and traffic flow issues. The communities of Rossmoor and College Park East would be well served by all these potential new dining choices. It would also create a further draw from both the Old Town/Hill neighborhoods and in from Los Alamitos.
This would be a boon to Seal Beach’s coffers in the form of more sales tax dollars.
What is particularly interesting with the new fourplex building is the care for kids and families.
The new barrier wall, emblazoned with the Shops at Rossmoor brand, actually protects an inner courtyard where a cast bronze turtle awaits climbing, exploring kids. Madelyn Jackrel, the visionary behind the Shops, added many of these new customer focused features.
According to Kristine, “the fire pit area and fountains were so popular, we knew we needed to add additional features, but wanted to be sure to protect pedestrians from cars parking inward towards these areas.”
In addition, working with the idea of health: new, diagramed walking paths are going to be illustrated at various points throughout the center.
They will further show the distance traveled point to point both inside and outside the shops. This should encourage more walking, even into the nearby neighborhood of Rossmoor.
The real estate area of the center is substantial and the longest path planned will be 1.3 miles.
Quite the walk and it is certainly something different from your typical mall environment.
It will likely be a feature that will be incorporated into the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce Third Annual Health & Fitness Expo, which will take place on March 19, 2011 in the spacious front parking area near the new building.
Historically, there has been a long-standing relationship with the Rossmoor/Los Alamitos Library Branch and children’s reading programs.
In addition, the area is used for such fundraisers as the “Taste of Los Alamitos,” one of the biggest such events for Los Alamitos High School—particularly their booster and sports clubs.
As an expansion of this, in partnership with the Los Alamitos Educational Foundation, the Shops agreed to pay for signature tiles, which could be purchased and would directly benefit the LAEF and their summer enrichment program. This program is still going on and represents a potential of $25,000 to the foundation.
Currently about 60 percent of the tiles are already purchased, and for more information, you may contact the Shops directly. The tiles will be placed Feb. 5, 2011 and will launch all of the new features and the pedestrian pathways.
The center even works with innovative ways to connect customers with their tenants via a print newsletter, online updates and special promotions such as the, “It’s better to give and receive” program. Until Dec. 30, for every $350 spent in total at any of the stores in the center, just bring in your receipts, and they will provide a $20 gift card.
Shopping local even pays dividends. So before you think about dashing off to another mall, strip center or big box store, consider the Shops at Rossmoor.
Helping education, bringing in new, desired businesses, and even adding footpaths with sculptural entertainment, they are a huge value to our community. Congratulations to the Shops and their vision of “a vibrant, community-focused, retail destination.” Their success speaks for itself.
Seth Eaker is the immediate past president of the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce and founder of Black Marble Consulting, LLC.
