MONTCLAIR, CA— For Montclair Place, re-invention is the norm. Originally developed by Ernest Hahn in 1968 as the Montclair Plaza, the 1.2 million-square-foot regional mall has seen many a makeover throughout the years: a second story was added in 1985, and in 2008 it underwent an interior renovation. On deck is another round of modifications that will bring a new food hall alongside current tenants Nordstrom, Macy's, JC Penney and Sears. According to CIM Group, which purchased the property in 2014, the updates will bring a fresh shopping experience to the western edge of San Bernardino County, ideally situated adjacent to the I-10 and three other major freeways and home to 2.1 million residents and office workers.

GlobeSt.com talked with Terry Wachsner, principal of property management at CIM Group, to get a better idea of the future of Montclair Place and why the center was such an attractive place to invest.

GlobeSt.com: Tell us about your plans for redeveloping Montclair Place?

Terry Wachsner: We are currently rebranding the center to give it a new vibe. We're well underway with an extensive interior renovation as well as a totally new and different second-level food experience, 'Moreno St. Market.' Our interior renovation includes new balconies, a nine-screen video wall, digital directories and refurnished lounge areas, all to be unveiled late May. Our exterior updates include newly designed mall entries, signage, environmental graphics and way finding. Other redevelopment activities are slated to begin later this year.

GlobeSt.com: What attracted CIM Group to this asset and the County?

Wachsner: CIM Group is focused on investing in urban communities that fit our long-standing qualified community strategy. The city of Montclair and the greater surrounding trade area fit our criteria for a region with improving demographics, other private sector investment, an underserved need in quality retail and public support for our vision.

As an asset, Montclair Place is rich in history and serves as a key shopping destination to a vast and educated population. There are 15 colleges within a 15-minute drive of the center. Plus being proximate to transportation, the center is an amenity to a millennial community that wants to live in San Bernardino County but commute to Los Angeles via the Metrolink one block away. It's also easily accessible to the I-10.

GlobeSt.com: How do your plans at Montclair Place fit the trends you see in what consumers now expect from their retail experience?

Wachsner: Our trade area shopper is looking for a fresh experience in addition to shopping. We're focused on bringing cultural activities that cater to a broad array of people. With 'Moreno St. Market,' a new 11,000-square-foot food hall with community-style seating, we will introduce established and new food concepts and live culinary demonstrations. Plus we're kicking off a year-long installation of art works created onsite by a cadre of well-known urban artists and local college art students. In addition, Montclair Place will be activated with a full calendar of art classes for kids, live music concerts, professional dancing and culinary demonstrations throughout the year. We're focused on bringing a fresh experience through food, art, music and dance to a valued retail asset of San Bernardino County.

MONTCLAIR, CA— For Montclair Place, re-invention is the norm. Originally developed by Ernest Hahn in 1968 as the Montclair Plaza, the 1.2 million-square-foot regional mall has seen many a makeover throughout the years: a second story was added in 1985, and in 2008 it underwent an interior renovation. On deck is another round of modifications that will bring a new food hall alongside current tenants Nordstrom, Macy's, JC Penney and Sears. According to CIM Group, which purchased the property in 2014, the updates will bring a fresh shopping experience to the western edge of San Bernardino County, ideally situated adjacent to the I-10 and three other major freeways and home to 2.1 million residents and office workers.

GlobeSt.com talked with Terry Wachsner, principal of property management at CIM Group, to get a better idea of the future of Montclair Place and why the center was such an attractive place to invest.

GlobeSt.com: Tell us about your plans for redeveloping Montclair Place?

Terry Wachsner: We are currently rebranding the center to give it a new vibe. We're well underway with an extensive interior renovation as well as a totally new and different second-level food experience, 'Moreno St. Market.' Our interior renovation includes new balconies, a nine-screen video wall, digital directories and refurnished lounge areas, all to be unveiled late May. Our exterior updates include newly designed mall entries, signage, environmental graphics and way finding. Other redevelopment activities are slated to begin later this year.

GlobeSt.com: What attracted CIM Group to this asset and the County?

Wachsner: CIM Group is focused on investing in urban communities that fit our long-standing qualified community strategy. The city of Montclair and the greater surrounding trade area fit our criteria for a region with improving demographics, other private sector investment, an underserved need in quality retail and public support for our vision.

As an asset, Montclair Place is rich in history and serves as a key shopping destination to a vast and educated population. There are 15 colleges within a 15-minute drive of the center. Plus being proximate to transportation, the center is an amenity to a millennial community that wants to live in San Bernardino County but commute to Los Angeles via the Metrolink one block away. It's also easily accessible to the I-10.

GlobeSt.com: How do your plans at Montclair Place fit the trends you see in what consumers now expect from their retail experience?

Wachsner: Our trade area shopper is looking for a fresh experience in addition to shopping. We're focused on bringing cultural activities that cater to a broad array of people. With 'Moreno St. Market,' a new 11,000-square-foot food hall with community-style seating, we will introduce established and new food concepts and live culinary demonstrations. Plus we're kicking off a year-long installation of art works created onsite by a cadre of well-known urban artists and local college art students. In addition, Montclair Place will be activated with a full calendar of art classes for kids, live music concerts, professional dancing and culinary demonstrations throughout the year. We're focused on bringing a fresh experience through food, art, music and dance to a valued retail asset of San Bernardino County.