“How do I get to JC Penney?” is not an unusual question at Briarwood–but until recently, is was rare to hear it at Sears at the opposite end of the million-square-foot mall. But Sears staff have been fielding that question and many others like it: “Where is Macy’s from here?” “California Pizza Kitchen?” “Starbucks?” And, “What are they building out there?”
Briarwood is squeezing a pair of new restaurants into what used to be the parking lot east of Macy’s. That’s displaced not only Macy’s customers, but others accustomed to using a nearby entrance that leads directly into the mall. The next available door deposits them in Sears–where they enter looking as confused as if they’ve stepped into a snow globe that someone just shook up.
Sears cashiers have become pros at redirecting the strays through the men’s department to a spot where they can see the mall’s main corridor. As for Bravo Cucina Italiana and P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, their opening dates have floated according to the weather; current predictions are running from somewhere near Christmas to early next year.
