DeSoto Square mall sold to new owner

On the market since the summer, DeSoto Square mall has been sold.

“The mall has been sold, yes,” said general manager Don Burrow, who joined the mall earlier this year.

Burrow was unable to provide more details on the 580,325-square-foot mall’s new owners, but he said there would be a press conference within the next couple of weeks.

Earlier this year, Burrow said he wanted to make DeSoto Square “the place the way it was in the ’80s.”

The mall has had its share of issues in the past.

In March, tenants such as Chick-Fil-A and Aeropostale decided to leave the mall. That same month, an inspector with the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County visited the DeSoto 6 Colonial Cinemas, which was closed for renovations, in response to a customer’s complaint of seeing rats scurrying across the floor. The inspector found “some droppings by the back door in theater #1.”

In a previous interview with the Herald, Burrow said he wants the mall to be seen more positively in the eyes of Bradenton residents. DeSoto Square has had numerous structural issues, including a leaky roof and cracked floors.

“I would love to be able to say that we’re looking forward to the changes they have planned ahead for us,” said Jodi Rice, general manager at JCPenney.

The mall had been for sale since the summer, according to Namdar Realty Group’s listing website, hakimiproperties.com. It was built in 1973 by former San Francisco 49ers owner Ed DeBartolo Sr.

Bradenton resident Ronald Castor was among many from Manatee County who reacted to the news Monday. Some on social media expressed hope that the mall will get turned around with its new owners, while others like Castor suggested the mall be torn down so a new structure could be built from scratch.

“Build a smaller one compared to the one on University Parkway since the area economy may not be big enough to sustain two giant malls competing against each other. Some people are not willing to or can’t travel all the way to Sarasota for shopping,” he wrote on Facebook. “The DeSoto Mall is falling apart and businesses are fleeing in droves due to poor consumer interest. Humans naturally like new or attractive things. A new and well maintained mall would without doubt attract new buyers and businesses. That’s just my opinion.”

Jonathan Mylett, of Palmetto, said he hopes the new owner is a developer.

“I hope it’s someone that is not just going to be new management to the mall but someone who is going to sink some good money into it, or just tear it down and redevelop the land,” he said. “I think it would be better as something completely different.”

Mylett, who grew up in Manatee County, moved back to the area two years ago. In that time, he said he and his wife have been to DeSoto Square only once.

“When we go to the mall, we either go to the Ellenton (Premium) Outlets or the University Town Center,” he said, adding that this is because of quality. “(DeSoto Square mall) does not have a reputation as being a clean or safe place.”

Mylett said he is excited about the news.

“I’m excited to see what happens with the mall,” he said. “I think it’s very valuable real estate and I think it could be put to a lot better use for the county.”

Amaris Castillo: 941-745-7051, @AmarisCastillo

This story was originally published December 5, 2016 at 2:14 PM with the headline "DeSoto Square mall sold to new owner."