Sandusky Mall's major makeover

SANDUSKY — Take a real close look at the Sandusky Mall map directory during your next visit.Chances are the locations for some of your favorite stores have changed — or a few entirely new features have seemingly popped up out of nowhere.A mini makeover swept through the mall in recent days.With help from new property manager Scott Ransom, here's a quick shopper's guide to understand the updates: Hungry for moreWhile most malls feature a food court, the shopping center lacked a centralized dining center.But earlier this month, two new eastern-style food establishments — Asian Express and Lotus Garden — debuted a new era of eating for Sandusky Mall shoppers.The section also features a completely renovated seating area and new bathrooms.A food court further complements a vast array of food offerings — Auntie Anne's, Mrs. Fields, Ruby Tuesday and others — throughout the complex.• "A lot of people, especially the mall employees, had been asking for a food court," Ransom said. "A lot of people are used to going to a mall and having a food court. We wanted to increase our food options and make them available to our shoppers." The secret's outVictoria's Secret moved to a new, larger location and expanded its lingerie offerings, which include a more diverse section for the youth PINK line.• "It's a divided storefront, with Victoria's Secret and PINK, and there's a really nice look to it," Ransom said. "It looks extremely sharp and is at least 1.5 times bigger." Working it outBath & Body Works also relocated, moving into a larger space to accommodate an expanded line of items, such as White Barn Collection products. A fierce look for Piercing Pagoda Piercing Pagoda is now located near the mall's main entrance in a sleeker-looking kiosk. What to make of Macy'sAll signs point to the Sandusky Mall's Macy's evading any sort of shutdown. In August, the department store's corporate offices announced it would close 100 stores nationwide.• "Our Macy's does very well," Ransom said. "They are one of the top performers in the district." Could it soon be the last day for Ruby Tuesday?Also facing financial woes, Ruby Tuesday should keep offering popular meals, such as the signature salad bar, for many more days.• "I was told this location is going strong," Ransom said. "I was given no impression that they were going anywhere." Simmering down on SearsSandusky Mall executives remain confident at least one tenant will eventually occupy the space once hosting Sears.• "We are still in the process of closing everything out with Sears," Ransom said. "Once that is all taken care of, we can start focusing on a new tenant. It's not something that will happen quickly. You won't find a tenant that will come in and take that entire space. There have been many talks of dividing that space up. We're talking to multiple retailers about coming into that space. People are interested. I would expect something to happen, but it will be a slow process. I would say probably a year from now." Zeroing in on AeropostaleAeropostale executives plan on closing most, if not all, of the U.S. stores in a company rebranding process. The Sandusky Mall store, however, should resurrect itself in the coming months with a fresh look.• "They are reorganizing and then reopening some locations," Ransom said. "They will reopen this location sometime around January."Shoppers eat lunch at the Sandusky Mall's new food court on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016.The Bath & Body Works location within the Sandusky Mall moved a few stores down in order to expand its line of products. The store now carries more White Barn Collection products.Victoria's Secret relocated within the Sandusky Mall and added more space for its PINK line. The stores officially opened on Friday, Oct. 7, 2016.Victoria's Secret relocated in the Sandusky Mall and officially opened on Friday, Oct. 7, 2016.Signs showing the future closing of Aeropostale hang in the window of the store at the Sandusky Mall on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016.Piercing Pagoda is now located near the main entrance of the Sandusky Mall.