Northridge : Quake-Damaged Mall Will Reopen Today

The Northridge Fashion Center, closed for 18 months because of the destruction left behind by the January, 1994, earthquake, will celebrate a quiet reopening today.

Mall officials will not hold their grand opening ceremonies until Aug. 2, when 110 of the approximately 180 stores are ready for business. Today, 70 merchants are scheduled to open their doors at 10 a.m.

“We didn’t want to wait any longer because a lot of the merchants are anxious to get going,” said Annette Bethers, the center’s marketing director. “The community seems anxious for us to get open too.”

Add to that list a trio of anchor stores: Sears and the Broadway reopened in November, and J.C. Penney started up again last month. “They were getting lonely,” Bethers said.

Another two department stores, Bullock’s and Robinsons-May, plan to reopen in August. Other stores will be added through next spring.

Bethers would not say how much had been spent on the mall’s renovation. The earthquake destroyed much of the Bullock’s building and several parking structures, but left the remainder of the mall standing. Still, extensive interior repair was required, and owners took the opportunity to remodel the 24-year-old center.

Glass skylights and indoor fountains have been added, as well as a food court with balcony seating.

Next month’s celebration will include a nighttime concert on the balcony as well as a book fair, prizes and celebrity events, Bethers said.