Dillard’s plans renovation, expansion

Its separate stores will be combined into one

Dillard’s in Central Mall is about to undergo a major renovation that will combine the two separate stores into one, a company spokeswoman said.

When complete, the space will be even bigger than what the two stores encompass now.

“We are calling it ‘new’ due to the extensive remodeling,” said Julie Johnson Bull, Dillard’s corporate public relations representative. “It is going to feature the latest and greatest design concepts.”

Johnson Bull declined to go into detail about how combining the two stores will be accomplished.

“The parties involved are still figuring out the details and have some work left to do,” Johnson Bull said. “The work hasn’t begun yet, but we plan on opening the new Central Mall Dillard’s around May of 2018.”

Dillard’s will remain open during the process of remodeling, she added.

The renovation will offer additional capacity dedicated to a premium lineup of brands specifically tailored to the fashion preferences of Dillard’s Texarkana area customers, according to a press release.

“We are excited to expand our operations at Central Mall to bring our signature style and exceptional service to even more shoppers. This renovation underscores our commitment to remain the premium shopping destination in the Texarkana trade area for many years to come,” said Chris Johnson, Dillard’s senior vice president.

Dillard’s origins are from this region.

The first Dillard’s opened its doors in 1938 in Nashville, Ark. Since 1964, the company has been based in Little Rock.

“The Texarkana Dillard’s originally opened in 1949, originally downtown in the space formerly occupied by Wooten’s, bought by William Dillard himself,” Johnson Bull said. “The Central Mall location started in 1978.”

“We are really happy to make this announcement in Texarkana,” she said. “This is so near our birthplace. This move underscores our commitment to Texarkana and to Arkansas.”

Dillard’s renovation plans will enhance and benefit Central Mall as well, an official said.

“We expect that this exciting project will have a transformative effect on Central Mall, and will further solidify the mall’s position as the top retail destination in its entire 18-county trade area,” said Gregory Greenfield, president of Gregory Greenfield & Associates, Ltd., an Atlantabased retail investment and advisory firm and adviser to the mall owner. “An expanded and remodeled Dillard’s will enhance the shopping experience of our customers and will pave the way for us to attract exciting new retailers to the mall.”

Dillard’s has 272 stores and 22 clearance centers in 29 states.

It is a publicly owned company, it’s Wall Street ticker number is DDS.

Staff photo by Joshua Boucher Lawanda Nelson shops for clothes with Dillard's employee Jeanna Bragg on Thursday at Dillard's in Central Mall in Texarkana, Texas. Dillard's is currently divided into two stores and will become one store after renovation.

Staff photo by Joshua Boucher Edgar Williams shops with friends Thursday at Dillard's. The men's store at Central Mall will move to the same store as the women's store at Dillard's.