TEMPLE, Texas — The Temple Mall phone number and website are both deactivated. This caused some speculation about if the mall is making a slow exit.
QUESTION
Is the Temple Mall closing?
THE SOURCE
Robert Brandenburg | Mall spokesperson, Owner of Peggy’s Coffee House, Under My Skin, and Candy & More.
THE ANSWER
No, the Temple Mall is not closing.
WHAT WE FOUND
The mall was purchased by Kohan Retail Investment Group in 2021. Bradenburg says this is one of the reasons why the website and phone number to the mall were deactivated.
"Previous mall management did not have things on the proper account for business," Bradenburg explained. "Some of it was tied to personal information. It's just a matter of getting in the new equipment, getting everything installed, getting the internet up and a new website built. All of that is in the process of happening right now."
He also added that the mall's revitalization is happening slowly but surely and renovations can be seen across the building.
"If you walk through the mall and you look up, you'll see new paint on the ceiling, different repairs that have been done, new light fixtures, some of the entrances have been redone," Bradenburg added. "Bathrooms have been remodeled. The parking lot is being redone so those are indicators that the mall is not going anywhere."
It's been over a year since the mall's movie theater closed and the mall just restored their water after it was disconnected because of back payment.
According to Brandenburg, that happened because of issues with prior management.
Brandenburg says there are a few events that have been talked about to happen at the mall including a food truck festival and the opening of the mall parking lot for eclipse viewing in April.
What is happening for sure is one of the three businesses Brandenburg owns in the mall, Peggy's Coffee House, celebrates 10 years in business at the Temple Mall.
Brandenburg says things are looking up for the Temple Mall as a lot of businesses are looking to open in the mall this year.
"Without saying any specific names, a western wear store is in the works and should be coming this year, a mega furniture store is in the works and should be coming this year, a CDL truck driving school is in the works and should be coming this year," Brandenburg added. "There's even a tenant that we lost after 2020 that is coming back that will be opening this year. The mall is definitely not closing."
Temple City Council approved a zoning ordinance for a new four story hotel on the mall's property in July 2023.
City spokesperson Charlese Butler told me as of today, no permit has been submitted for this project.
For anyone that needs to contact the mall until phones and website are restored they can email PeggysCoffeeHouse@gmail.com or mbritten@krigproperties.com.