Nate Fishkin, with F+F Development, the mall's owner and developer, tells Globe Street Retail that renovation on the mall should begin in February with a 116,655-sf addition scheduled for construction by the middle of next year. Fishkin and partner Charles E. Fancher Jr., who acquired the property in October 2005, expect the project to be completed by spring 2008, in time for the start of the summer tourist season.

"It's a terrific area," says Fishkin, noting that other competing malls are located in Coastal Grand, about 15 miles to the north and Charleston, 60 miles to the south, giving Inlet Square a unique position in the Myrtle Beach market. "We think we're in a good position to capture business from the south and the west."

Plans for the property, at the intersection of Highway 17 Business and Highway 17 Bypass, call for the addition of two anchor tenants along with several smaller lifestyle and regional shops and several restaurants. Fishkin says the repositioning will reflect a convergence of the shopping mall and lifestyle concepts that will bring together the best of both retailing styles.