RETAILING : Charlotte Russe to Be Anchor Tenant at Refurbished Westminster Mall

Westminster Mall’s renovation project is in full swing, with the owners announcing that Charlotte Russe, the women’s apparel retailer, will be the anchor tenant in the new center court.

The 11,000-square-foot Charlotte Russe store will be the chain’s 14th outlet. It will be in a glass, two-story triangular center court, which will also include a fountain pool and an elevator in a glass column.

Construction of the Charlotte Russe store, which will be the chain’s flagship, is scheduled to begin Aug. 15. Plans call for the store to be finished by Christmas.

A total of 11 shops will occupy the mall’s new center court.

In addition to Charlotte Russe, other new tenants added as part of the face-lift include Sweats & Surf, Kay Bee Toys and San Francisco Music Box. The project will also add new food outlets, including DiMattia’s Pizza & Pasta and the new Panda Express, which features Chinese food. A total of 14 food outlets eventually will open at the mall.

Corporate Property Investors, the mall’s owners, began an extensive remodeling project at the mall in early February. So far, ceilings have been pulled out, asbestos removed, and the old center court torn out.

The project will cost more than $10 million. The renovation is expected to be completed by the end of this year.