New developments seek to make Leeds outlet mall an entertainment destination

LEEDS, Ala. — Malls across the United States must fight for customers in the age of online shopping. In Leeds, The Shops at Grand River hope new developments will transform the outlet mall into an entertainment destination.

"We know that the customer wanted more of an experience and so we started working to figure out how to deliver what the customer is looking for," said Vice President of Operations Christine Strange.

Mall staff did not have to look far. Strange said her staff had been flooded with questions about the popular drive-in movie theater at the mall which has been closed since the end of last summer. Strange said the theater will reopen July 3rd.

The movie theater's grand re-opening will feature a new Snack Shack, children's playground, mini-golf and game area and The Backyard Beer Garden. It is the first step in a multi-year development plan to attract more visitors to the outlet mall.

Hunter Lake, a developer and former co-owner of Avondale Brewing plans to build a brewery named Neighbors Beer House and a Saw's BBQ restaurant next to the theater by this fall Strange said.

Lake also plans to help push construction of a 6,000 seat amphitheater and canoe & kayak launch along the Cahaba River which runs next to the mall's drive-in theater. Those projects are slated in years two and three of the development plan according to mall officials.

On Monday, the Leeds City Council approved up $1.5 million in tax incentives for the development. The incentives will come from generated sales tax.

"We cherish our downtown area and we love the way it is now but we think the Exit 140 development is crucial," said council member Eric Turner, who hinted that other developments near the mall may soon be announced by the city.