Changes are coming at the Flinthills Mall. Some of them will be permanent and some will be intermittent, as the mall becomes more active in the community, according to mall manager Jose Feliciano Jr.
“It’s a new beginning for the mall, and it’s a lot of changes,” said Feliciano, who started his new job less than a month ago.
The landscaping, new marquee, and painting the building’s exterior completed Phase I of the physical changes. Phase II will begin soon.
“Now that I’m here, I’m also going to look at giving the mall a new image ... kind of a lifestyle, updated look,” he said.
Feliciano said that he wants the mall to become a bigger part of the community, both through charitable and community service events and through interaction and cooperation with businesses in the area and downtown, in particular.
“I believe in downtown,” Feliciano said. “I just want (the mall) to be an extension of that.”
Feliciano said discussions are under way about gaps in merchandise and services in Emporia that could be filled at the mall, including specific types of stores that the community needs.
“I’d like to have new businesses from the community itself,” he added.
Those business plans have not been completed yet; however, seasonal charity drives already are underway.
The Merchants Association at the mall has launched a coat drive that will benefit three non-profit organizations in Emporia — Plumb Place, Emporia Rescue Mission, and TFI Family Services.
“Help Us Warm Up Our Community for the Holidays” is the theme of the drive. Oversized cardboard boxes will be set out at the mall to receive clean, donated coats that will be distributed as long as the donations last. People who cannot come to the mall with coats may call 342-4631 for pickups.
A non-perishable food drive at the new Sears store also has begun to bring in supplies for holiday distribution.
“It’s basically giving to hands that are needy,” Feliciano said, “and we hopefully can support them with donations through the community.”
Mark Stockman of the Sears store has planned after the first of the year a fingerprint clinic for kids and “demonstration days” with technicians available to answer questions on everything from dishwashers to lawnmowers.
A Kansas Festival of Trees charity auction will be held at the mall on Dec. 8 and 9. Details will be available later.