On a recent drive near Metro Center Mall in Phoenix I discovered a Super Wal-Mart was under construction where the old Broadway—or was it Goldwater’s—used to be. Funny how your mind forgets things that are not right in front of you. My thoughts turned to repurposing. A very popular trend now is to find something that has been tossed aside or just not being used and repair it, paint it or find a new use for it. So why not a shopping mall?

Power Square Mall in the SE Valley is a very good example of repurposing. Located on the SE corner of Baseline and Power Roads, this mall was built in 1986 as the Factory Stores of America. It was a true original Outlet Mall with only outlet tenants. Today, there are six National Outlet tenants but other spaces are now filled with locally owned shops along with some community services, such as the Mesa Express Library.

In the past year, several antique, vintage, home décor or boutique businesses have moved into Power Square and others will be joining them during the next few months. With ample parking all around the mall and five entrances, it is easy to get to any store in a jiffy. This is a one-stop shopping destination all under one air-conditioned roof.

Open now . . . 

Blue Barn Vintage Market

Blue Barn Vintage Market, located in Suite 1035 at Entrance #4, opened the week of April 17. It is owned by Michelle Bailey and specializes in consignment, repurpose, antique, collectibles, wrought iron, upcycle, junk and treasures, second hand, vintage, rusty, industrial and mid-century. Because she wasn’t opened the day I stopped by, I peeked in the “window” to see a nicely displayed showroom that is on my list for the next visit to the mall.

The market is open Monday through Wednesday from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 480-720-7310, email michelle@bluebarnvintagemarket.com or follow the shop on Facebook.

Buckhorn Vintage

Located in suite 1018 at Entrance #4, Buckhorn Vintage opened on April 8. Owner Cristin Sougstad has a vintage boutique specializing in unique and eclectic home furnishing and accessories with clothing and jewelry too. She likes mid-century modern furniture and Boho-chic and her boutique is a nice combination of both. Cristin was putting the finishing touches on her shop the day I visited, so I was able to get a sneak peek before her opening day. Buckhorn Vintage is a shop you will want to check out.

Cristin told me that her first job as a high school student was selling cosmetics at Power Square Mall so opening her shop has brought her back to the mall where she spent time as a teenager. For more information, call 602-865-9702 or follow the shop on Facebook.

Catalina Antiques & Home Décor

Catalina Antiques & Home Décor opened in August 2016 when Phyllis Cook decided to “re-open” in Power Square Mall. Phyllis had been a dealer in Village Antiques, which closed the prior year. She never expected to own her own store, but a group of the vendors wanted to stay and encouraged her to open. This allowed the vendors to remain at Power Square, keep their customer base plus it created a nucleus for Phyllis to start the business.

Transition to a shop owner was a hard decision because Phyllis was already a busy mom of seven and she would need to be at the store each day. Now, ten months later, Catalina Antiques has thirty dealers and is full of furniture, artwork, home décor, clothing, yard art and so much more. Phyllis appreciates the support and friendship that has been evident from the first day they opened. One dealer wanted to open the store on Sundays and he works the mall that day. Each vendor has an individual style giving the shoppers a variety to choose from. Phyllis says you never know what you will find as the dealers continually change their merchandise and add to their booths.

Located in Suite #1073 at Entrance 1, Catalina Antiques & Home Décor is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from Noon to 5 p.m. For information, call 480-799-8858.

Found Again Mercantile

Just across the hall is Found Again Mercantile in Suite #1068. Owners Karen and John Todd started out as dealers at Catalina Antiques & Home Décor and after a month they knew they wanted their own business (with Phyllis’ blessing). John has been a collector of old tools, fishing gear, gun accessories, etc., for many years and decided it was time to open his own Man’s Land section. After nine months, they have thirteen dealers with space available for a few more vendors.

The Todds have been in the estate sales for twelve years and antique collectors for over thirty years. This is their first retail store and they are very excited to be in Power Square Mall. They love the customers and enjoy helping them find what they are looking for. Found Again has a little bit of everything—antique furniture, clocks, camera equipment, vintage kitchenware, repurposed furniture and small collectibles. The Todds do buy from individuals but do not do consignments. They are always getting new merchandise and encourage their customers to check back often.

Karen or John is in the store most days or you will find staff members David Cook and Brenda Cuellar. Found Again is open Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Noon to 5 p.m. For information, call 480-659-7588.

Coming Soon . . . 

East Valley Antiques

East Valley Antiques is relocating to Power Square, space #1075, from its Gilbert location and will be holding a Grand Opening from May 15 to 20. Owners Tara and Brian Luney opened East Valley Antiques in June 2016. They wanted more visibility and were able to secure a nice location near other antique shops at Power Square. A larger 3,000 square foot show room will give them space to display their merchandise which includes a large selection of repurposed furniture in different sections for each style—Shabby, Mid-Century and Industrial. They also have artwork and home décor items and collectibles to decorate your home. The Luneys use their eBay business to find items for customers who are looking for specific items.

Brian’s parents were in the antique business so he has had a passion for antiques since childhood. Both Brian and Tara have been dealers in other malls for several years and had always had a dream of owning their own store.

Karen grew up in Mesa near Power Square Mall so she is returning to familiar stomping grounds. East Valley Antiques is a family business with daughters Kayla and Kassidy helping when they are not in school. Kayla does the social media and website for the business and Kassidy helps customers and works the cash register.

For more information about the Grand Opening, call 480-217-3798, follow them on Facebook or visit: www.eastvalleyantiques.com.

Marketplace 42 East 

Marketplace 42 East is the second location for Jacqueline Lara who owns Marketplace 42 in Gilbert. Scheduled to open in May, this location will be in a boutique style and will have a large craft space to hold classes. Some of the talented vendors from the Gilbert location will be in this new location along with some new faces plus Jacqueline has room for more artisans.

The Power Square location of Marketplace 42 East will offer shoppers some very creative artwork, repurposed furniture, rustic, industrial, vintage home décor and seasonal gifts at great prices. Jacqueline has gathered a talented group of teachers and will be offering her popular classes.

You can visit Marketplace 42 at 825 S Cooper Road, Suite B3. For information on the new shop’s opening dates, hours and classes, call 480-899-6642 or visit their Facebook page.

Sweet Repeats 2

Sweet Repeats 2 will join the other shops on July 1 when Denise Hudgens opens her second location. Because of her love of decorating and painting furniture, Denise created the original Sweet Repeats in North Phoenix in 2012 at the Shops on Cave Creek. That shop was named Best of Phoenix 2015 and Ranking Arizona top ten Specialty Home Boutique 2017.

Denise wanted a presence in the East Valley and, when she heard that several antique stores were moving to Power Square Mall, she knew it was a good opportunity. Sweet Repeats 2 will be a smaller, quaint location. Denise chose Mesa because it is a fast-growing area and she wanted to bring her talented vendors’ merchandise to the east side. The Mesa shop will carry the same popular farmhouse, shabby chic, rustic, French furniture and home décor. It will also offer custom orders on handcrafted farm tables, benches, carts, sofa/entry tables and signs. Denise’s niece, Ashely Laird, will manage Sweet Repeats 2.

Denise loves what she does and loves having her family helping her in her business. Husband David is a General Contractor and he and their son-in-law, Chris, do all of the remodeling and repairs around the store. Her oldest daughter, Angela, works in the Phoenix shop and even her young grandsons are around from time to time. You can visit the original Sweet Repeats at 11649 N Cave Creek Road. For information on the new shop’s opening dates, hours and classes, call 602-396-2680 or go to their Facebook page.

Stop by Power Square Mall soon to check out the new shops and spend time exploring the entire mall. To learn more, visit www.powersquaremall.com or call 480-832-1379.