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SALT LAKE CITY -- One of the state's best-known shopping centers is bustling with shoppers, activities and other hoopla Saturday in honor of a major milestone.
The occasion is the so-called grand reopening of Trolley Square, but there's quite a bit that is not open yet.
The owners of Trolley Square are hoping the new plaza will become a well-known venue for concerts, dances and other events. Saturday, it was used as a stage for a comedian from the Wise Guys Comedy Club who gave a free performance honor of the reopening, as well as singles' dance.
- 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Children's activities featuring Munchkin Radio - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bounce house - 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Event photo booth - 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Community information and prize booths, including a Disney's Lion King family pack - 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Cake on the plaza - 11 a.m. - close
Restaurant specials, including 35% off orders at Spaghetti Factory in honor of their 35th anniversary - 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Live comedy show with refreshments, presented by WiseGuys Comedy Club - 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Horse drawn carriage rides depart from the water tower - Dusk
Fireworks
The day-long celebration also included a bounce house, photo booth, prize booths, restaurant specials, horse-drawn carriage rides and fireworks at dusk. But it was clear the main attraction, Trolley Square itself, wasn't quite ready for its coming-out party.
Much of Trolley Square is certainly open, particularly the old portions. That's the part of Trolley Square we've become accustomed to, where shops are built into historic century-old trolley barns.
As part of the renovation, more skylights have been opened to allow more light in. Dark, brick floors have been brightened by removing decades of old wax. Many familiar merchants are still here.
"They've got some really lovely little shops here that are worth coming back to," said shopper Lavon Bullock.
Many were impressed by the new-and-improved shopping center. "This was our first time down here, so we're pretty impressed," said Jennifer Gaare from Hill Air Force Base.
As for the new parts, construction is winding down on a major expansion. There are several new buildings, but there's still a lot of work to do.
"Construction's been going on for a little over three years, and I'm just so excited for Trolley Square and the tenants," said Trolley Square spokeswoman Dawn Katter. "The construction fences are down, the parking lots are open and you can actually get to Trolley Square and walk around and not have to see a hard hat or a construction fence in your face."
The new buildings have similar bricks and familiar shapes to echo the historic trolley barns.
"We've got a real good complement going," Katter said. "The new buildings, they have a touch of the arches and the things of the old buildings, but we've been able to marry those two together."
The new space remains empty while management tries to line up new tenants. The new flagship store, Whole Foods, won't move in until next spring.
"The undone stuff makes the building look a little empty, so it would be nice to get something in there," Gaare said.
Even so, management decided things are far enough along to have grand reopening. Trolley Square does have a number of prospects for filling up the empty space. Management has letters of intent from some businesses and estimates three or four may be ready to go in time for the holiday season.
The fully-completed Trolley Square won't be ready until next year.
E-mail: hollenhorst@ksl.com
