The former Carson’s location in Warsaw will soon be home to a bealls store. InkFreeNews photos by Madison Hart.

By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — A new store is coming to the Marketplace at Warsaw shopping center this fall, while a business that was in the building recently closed.

In a post on its LinkedIn and Facebook profiles, Sullivan Wickley, a Georgia-based real estate agency who owns the shopping center, said a lease has been signed with bealls for a 24,210-square-foot retail space. The store will go inside the former Carson’s location, next to Gabe’s.

Bealls is a Florida-based retail corporation that operates over 650 stores, including nearby locations in Plymouth and Columbia City. The corporation employs over 10,000 people in the United States and sells apparel, footwear, accessories, housewares and more.

John Murphy, a partner at Sullivan Wickley, said bealls will open in Fall 2024. Murphy said negotiations with bealls have been in the works over the last six months.

“They’re going to be great, and we’re happy to have them,” said Murphy. “When we bought the shopping center, it was 14% occupied. It was deteriorating. With bealls opening, it’ll be more than 80% occupied at least.”

With the addition of bealls, Murphy said all of the anchor spaces within the shopping center are filled. Sullivan Wickley plans to lease the remaining spaces to restaurants and local merchants.

Meanwhile, Claire’s, a jewelry and fashion accessories store located in the shopping center, has closed. The store was formerly located between Subway and Wire & Steam Coffee Company.

The nearest Claire’s location is now in the Goshen Walmart on Elkhart Road. Claire’s has over 300 locations within Walmart stores.

InkFreeNews reached out to Claire’s representatives via phone and e-mail, but received no comment.

Murphy said Claire’s lease was up and they chose not to renew.

“That happens all the time and it’s not indicative of a shopping center,” said Murphy.

The shopping center on Frontage Road has seen many changes over the last several years, including the addition of several new storefronts and the relocation of the BMV to Woodland Plaza on Commerce Drive. New businesses added within the last couple years to the Marketplace at Warsaw include Gabe’s, Big Lots and Planet Fitness.

Murphy said Sullivan Wickley is in the process of working on additional leases for the Marketplace at Warsaw.

“I think the community will be very pleased with our plans to finish the project,” said Murphy.

A sign listing the future bealls location as coming soon is on Frontage Road.

Claire’s did not renew its lease to stay in the Marketplace at Warsaw. The store was located between Subway and Wire & Steam Coffee Company.