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Borgata's Re-fresh almost done

One of Scottsdale's premier boutique shopping and dining locations for years, the Borgata, has been undergoing a renovation.  Well the facelift is almost complete, and should spell good things for shoppers in the area.  As we point out in our Central Scottsdale page, there is a lot to do throughout Scottsdale.  Check out this article from AZCentral/Scottsdale Republic.

Borgata's new look nearly done

Sophisticated mix planned

May. 27, 2006 12:00 AM

SCOTTSDALE - Drive by the Borgata on Scottsdale Road and see a new parking lot with spaces drawn out, an open walkway with a fountain, and construction sites for Japanese and French restaurants.

It's coming together with a tasty twist.

Renovation of the more than 20-year-old shopping center run by Westcor is almost complete, said Scott Nelson, Westcor's assistant vice president of development.
 
Even locals and some tourists who shopped recently at the upscale Italian village noticed the Borgata's new look.

"I think they needed to do it," said Sue Westhafer, a nearby resident who was heading to the Chico's store.

"People didn't know what was here," she said, referring to the fortresslike wall that once faced Scottsdale Road.

By this fall, Taneko Tavern, a Japanese restaurant owned by Scottsdale-based P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc., is slated to open. Across the walkway, 75 Bistro, a California-based French restaurant will open next year, Nelson said.

That's not all. Expect to see Chandler-based Dolce Salon & Spa open by the end of the year and a mix of other businesses to come. Other retailers have yet to be announced as Westcor works to bring a mix of sophisticated businesses, said Kai Hsiao,a Westcor marketing manager.

"We really think the Borgata will speak to the shoppers that go there currently, but it will also speak to a younger, hipper market," Hsiao said. "I think ultimately what we want to do is bring more energy and activity. I think a lot of people felt that it was its own little world, but by opening the walls, we're bringing in more of that streetscape of what's going on. . . . So it's basically giving an energy that it didn't have before.

Dami Heinz is looking forward to it.

"We're hoping it gets back its heyday from when it first opened," said Heinz, the store manager of Ames, which opened seven months ago. The boutique features sophisticated women's apparel and elaborate accessories like Belts by Simon, which are designed with Swarovski crystals and start at $295.

Moving on

While some stores and eateries look forward to new foot traffic from new businesses, some are saying farewell.

Tom and Sherre Lucas of Sherre's, a high-end women's boutique, will close by the end of June. The owners, who also own Mandy's at Hilton Village and four other shops in Arizona, have been Borgata tenants for nearly 19 years.

Over the past five years, business has slowed, Lucas said.

"Westcor has been good to us for many years," Lucas said at his 5,100-square-foot store. "But we have too big of a store for the amount of volume that we have now."

Carole Dolighan boutique, which specializes in handcrafted fashion, will close at the end of June for renovations. It will reopen in October.

Other tenants, like William Nasralla, are in it for the long haul. He's been there for 13 years.

Nasralla owns Café Citron and Davinci,an upscale European men's and women's fashion store. Some specialty items are dress shirts by Brioni that sell for $250, Malo knits made of cashmere and silk for $400 and Parisian neckties by Zilli for $350.

"I am very positive about it," Nasralla said. "I'm still here because I believe in the Borgata and it has a European flavor to it. And because I have European fashion, I see it as a great fit for my concept."

 

Adam Tarr, ePRO
Sharon Kotula, ABR
RE/MAX Excalibur
Scottsdale, AZ

Your Phoenix Area Real Estate Source

info@WeAreAZRealEstate.com

 

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