Burbank Empire Center continues openings

Karen S. Kim

MEDIA DISTRICT NORTH -- Little by little, the Burbank Empire Center

has been shaping up.

The 103-acre shopping center is nearly completed with just a few

businesses still scheduled to open in the next few months.

Great Indoors, Michael’s, Staples, Courtyard by Marriott, Olive

Garden, David’s Bridal, Men’s Wearhouse and a few eateries in the mall’s

food court have yet to open their doors, but Burbank residents have been

flocking to the open businesses already, developer Ben Reiling said.

“It’s been honestly better than we expected and better than the

tenants expected,” said Reiling, president of Zelman Development Co. “The

reception has just been fabulous. Everyone has been doing above their

projections.”

The Burbank Empire Center is bounded by Empire Avenue to the north,

Buena Vista Street to the west, the MetroLink rail tracks to the south

and Victory Place to the east. The $250-million project includes 400,000

square feet of office space and 620,000 square feet of retail space.

INSIDE BURBANK EMPIRE CENTER

Business*Opening date

Costco*Open

Great Indoors, with Starbucks inside*Mid-April

Best Buy*Open

Michael’s*March

Shoe Pavilion*Open

Linens ‘N’ Things*Open

Marshall’s*Open

Target Greatland*Open

Lowe’s*Open

Staples*Mid-April

Extended Say America*Open

Courtyard by Marriott*To be announced

Sportmart*Open

Hometown Buffet*Open

Outback Steakhouse*Open

Olive Garden*Mid-April

Payless Shoes*Open

Wendy’s*Open

Panda Express*Open

Krispy Kreme*Open

Mattress Discounters*Open

David’s Bridal*Mid-April

Aaron Brothers*Open

Tilly’s*Open

Men’s Wearhouse*Mid-April

Sharky’s Grill*Mid-March

Starbucks*Open

Jamba Juice*Open

Sbarro Pizza*Mid-April

GNC*Early March

Verizon*March

Polished*March

Countrywide Full Spectrum*Mid-April

Subway*Mid-April

Great Steak and Potato Co.*Mid-April

Cupid’s Hot Dogs and Ice Cream*Mid-April

Allianz office building*Mid-April