Will TJ Maxx stay at the mall? Retailer isn't talking

SANDUSKY — The TJ.Maxx clothing store chain, a successful retailer which has grown to more than 1,000 stores across the country, seems likely to stay in Sandusky.But the hot retailer won't say if it's staying at Sandusky Mall or relocating to another shopping center, and neither Sandusky Mall nor developers of a new shopping center were eager to talk to the Register.Back in February, a developer announced TJ Maxx would be relocating to a new shopping center on U.S. 250 near Home Depot. The Register snapped a photo of a sign that said: "TJ Maxx coming soon."An advertisement shows a new development, called the Sandusky Promenade, that's supposed to be the home to a new TJ Maxx, Five Below, PetSmart, Panda Express and Chick-fil-A by spring 2018.TJ Maxx would not confirm the move, and the sign disappeared. And last week, the store chain said it still had nothing to say."Thanks for reaching out again," TJ Maxx spokeswoman Bethany Crocetti said. "However, TJ Maxx has still not announced any changes for the Sandusky, Ohio, location at this time."Goodman Real Estate Services Group LLC of Cleveland sent out a fall email plugging Sandusky Promenade, a new shopping center which it said would open in spring of 2018 just north of Crossings of Sandusky that will feature TJ Maxx, Five Below, PetSmart, Panda Express and Chick-Fil-A.Goodman officials did not return two calls placed by the Register last week.Sandusky Mall spokesman Joe Bell said he knows nothing of the matter."I really haven't heard anything either way," he said.TJ Maxx normally likes to have prominent location facing the road, said John Hoty, president of Hoty Enterprises."The back of the mall is not their normal kind of location," he said, referring Maxx at Sandusky Mall.Still, the TJ Maxx at the mall seems to be doing well, Hoty said.The Register tried to ask whether the TJ Maxx lease at the mall is a short lease that would allow the store to move soon."We don't discuss lease terms," Bell said.Crocetti also deftly evaded the question."Although we appreciate your interest, we wouldn't have any information to add relating to the terms of our leases," she said.Reach reporter Tom Jackson at jackson@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @jacksontom. TJ Maxx at the Sandusky Mall on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017.