New businesses coming to Walla Walla Town Center

WALLA WALLA-At least two national chains are opening locations in Walla Walla. As reported in The Union-Bulletin on January 5, Planet Fitness and Burlington opening stores at the Walla Walla Town Center.

Big Lots and Home Goods also leased space at the shopping center once the location of the fr Blue Mountain Mall on Rose Street in Walla Wash.

Burlington, formerly Burlington Coat Factory, will lease space in the former Shopko building. According to the company's website, it has over 650 locations in the U.S. and continues to grow. Starting out offering off-price coats, Burlington has since expanded to include a full range department store.

Alamo Group Partners, of San Francisco, is developing the building at 1651 Rose St. According to the firm's website, it has executed leases with home furnishing and decor retailers Big Lots and Home Goods for space in the same building.

This will add three retail chains to Walla Walla and help revitalize the Walla Walla Town Center. The Center is home to Marshall's, Ross, Bed Bath & Beyond, Pet Smart, Ulta Cosmetics, Hobby Lobby, Famous Footwear, and Sportsman's Warehouse.

In addition to the new retail chains, a Planet Fitness will also open at the Town Center. Planet Fitness is a franchisor and operator of fitness centers with over 2,300 locations since opening in 1992.

The new fitness center will lease space in the building that once housed the Gottschalks department store. It will occupy 20,000 square feet which is about two-thirds of the building. Walla Walla Capital Group, LLC will develop the property, which needs remodeling since the building has been empty since Gotschalks closed in 2009.