WEST COVINA : Mall Opens $100-Million Wing With 40 Stores

A West Covina mall opened a $100-million wing Thursday, including a Robinsons-May department store and 40 retail shops.

The 250,000-square-foot, two-level wing will employ at least 400 workers, said officials at The Plaza at West Covina. More than 5,000 people reportedly applied for the jobs.

Retail consultants said the expansion was a good move even during a recession because itwill help the mall maintain its share of the marketplace.

Mall officials hope the new shops will stem a three-year downward trend in sales. The center had sales of about $130 million in 1990, compared with aobut $115 million last year.