CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- New management will soon take over Eastland Mall. Despite rumors, officials say the mall isn't closing its doors.
"It's better that it's open than closed, because an empty box is never good for anybody," said Ed Garber with the Eastside Political Action Committee.
A month ago, there were reports that Eastland Mall would close in March. But a mall spokesperson says that's not the case.
"If the mall closes, it's not like they're going to lease it out for anything so, it's just going to be a deteriorating building," Garber said.
New management is expected to take over by the end of the week.
"Hopefully, the new management is willing to invest some money," Garber said. "I have no idea, but there are people in the community talking about having a circus coming to Eastland Mall for a short period of time."
While the city of Charlotte still has an option to purchase the old Belk and Dillard's buildings, there's no indication of that happening.
For those who live on the east side, the new management company may be their only hope for keeping the struggling mall open.
"I've been living in Charlotte now for 23 years, so I stay on this side of town," said resident Chad Thompson. "This has been the main place I've shopped at for a long time."
"It's just a big area. I don't know what they'd put in there," said Eastland Mall shopper Michael Bullock.
Garber hopes the new management can turn the mall around.
"Hopefully that's an indicator that they intend to invest some money in the mall and bring it back to some degree to what it was before," Garber said. "It's a long shot, but it'd be a great thing if they did that."
City leaders have until March 31 to decide if they want to purchase those two buildings at the mall, but it's highly unlikely they will.
Eastland Mall officials did not return calls seeking information on the new management company.
