Newly Renovated Mall Reopens in Wilson

WILSON, N.C. — Retailers at a once-fading mall in Wilson hope major renovations will bring a much needed boost in revenue this holiday season.

Last year, Hull Storey Retail Group, based in Georgia, bought Parkwood Mall and launched a major makeover, including new lights and new carpet and a new name -- Wilson Mall.

Retailers hope the newly renovated business will attract shoppers who turned to out-of-town shopping centers that are newer and bigger and businesses that left because of declining sales.

"It just really slowed down," said Sue Edwards who has worked in the mall for more than 10 years. "Some Friday nights, we could have shut down at 7 p.m."

Edwards said at times, she worried the mall would close all together.

Now, Wilson Mall is still adding new stores and has the city's first 10-screen movie theater, which opened last summer.