OCALA, FL-An aging shopping center in Ocala has seen occupancy rates rise from 62% to 92% in just 12 months. And Six Gun Plaza witnessed this turnaround during a time when Florida’s retail market was at a near standstill outside top tier markets like Miami.

Bealls Outlet and Ross Dress for Less are among the new tenants. Bealls is the current anchor, Bealls Outlet has singed a seven-year lease for 35,000 square feet of space that’s expected to open this fall. Ross inked a 10-year lease for 32,000 square feet that will debut in 2012.

“The downturn in the economy is forcing national retailers seeking to
 expand to consider smaller, infill markets due to the lack of new
development,” Kevin Hipes, director of leasing for the Shopping Center Group’s Florida Division, tells GlobeSt.com. “Six Gun Plaza in Ocala meets this criteria.”