Construction underway to transform old Sears

PERKINS TWP. — Renovations are underway for the Sandusky Mall's newest tenant, Hobby Lobby.In June, Sandusky Mall owners, Cafaro Co., announced Hobby Lobby would open a location in the space formerly occupied by Sears.Renovations were started at the storefront, which has been empty since the department store closed in 2016. Cafaro Co. spokesman Joe Bell said work on the space is progressing nicely.He expects the mall contractors will start to work with Hobby Lobby's contractors soon."The exterior structure should be finished before the weather starts getting bad," Bell said. "Interior work will continue through the winter and the store is scheduled for an opening sometime in the second half of next year."Hobby Lobby will occupy a 50,000-square-foot portion of the old Sears location, but the remaining 30,000 square feet will be redeveloped for other tenants.Bell said this is just the first step in Cafaro's plan to revitalize the Sandusky Mall into a mix-used complex combining traditional retail tenants with office space, entertainment and more."Our people are working on several other deals with other entities that should prove quite exciting," Bell said. "Assuming all goes well, there should be more information about those in the coming months."Reach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterCafaro Co., owners of the Sandusky Mall, started to renovate the former Sears location for new tenant Hobby Lobby.