There is a new look in store for Bakersfield’s East Hills Mall. Developers from C&C Properties and Mark Crist Investments purchased the mall in early December in hopes of completely demolishing and rebuilding the mall by mid 2018.

Developers intend to make this “open-air lifestyle center” into the new focal point of the east side by installing new restaurants, shopping centers, and entertainment, all with a stateof-the-art theater complex.

In preparation for the new outdoor plaza, there has been buzz about a fountain being featured in front of the theater center, much like the cinema at The Marketplace. Demolition of the East Hills Mall will begin as soon as June of this year. This will require a complete shutdown of the mall and liquidation of the premises.

The only two structures that will remain on the site are the two department stores on the east and west ends of the mall, including the theater. The other 65% of the mall will be excavated. The investment of the site will be estimated at about $70 million, and it will be used to make the mall more pedestrian friendly with outdoor seating for restaurants and shops.

Tenants of the old East Hills have already been moved out as of March 3. Although they have been kicked out, tenants will have the opportunity to relocate to the new center at current market lease rates. Most of which will not be relocating to the new plaza due to the “high rates and change of atmosphere,” after talking to Savannah, a girl who had recently worked at the theater located in the mall.

One mall patron, who wished to remain anonymous, said it was “really upsetting to see the mall being closed down. It was a really cool hangout spot for me and my friends.” After interviewing more frequenters of the mall, they all had a similar outlook on the renovation and future of the mall.

Previous tenant of East Hills Maria Prieto, owner of Always Almonds, discussed her plans after leaving the mall.

After being in business more than five years with her husband, they were sad to leave. When interviewed she said how “although it is sad to go, my customers will always know where to find me.” Prieto has plans to move her space to a kiosk in the Valley Plaza mall this coming summer. She hopes her customers will transfer to her further location.  As of early this March, plans are a go for the new East Hills soon-to-be plaza.