CRENSHAW : New T.J. Maxx a Boon to Plaza’s Holiday Business

On the heels of the recent opening of a T.J. Maxx discount clothing outlet, anchor stores at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza reported higher sales and increased foot traffic the weekend after Thanksgiving, traditionally the year’s biggest weekend for sales.

Marj Aldolph, general manager of Sears, described sales figures as “superb”--22% higher than last Thanksgiving weekend. She attributed the success to the store’s recent $2.5-million face lift and its proximity to the adjacent T.J. Maxx.

Both Robinsons-May and Broadway reported improved sales over last year, said plaza marketing director Linda Gray.

T.J. Maxx, part of the national retail chain that sells discounted name-brand clothing and other items, opened at the plaza Nov. 15. And foot traffic has been consistently busy since the opening, said store manager Yun Conger.

“We’re seeing a steady increase of people in here now,” Conger said.

Day manager Yendas Harper said that while foot traffic has indeed been good, it has yet to compare with more established T.J. Maxx locations such as the one at Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance.

The addition of T.J. Maxx, which occupies six upper-level storefronts, boosts mall occupancy from 68% to 85%.

Fred Bruning, vice president of the mall’s developer, Alexander Haagen Properties, said holiday sales are already 25% over last year.