University Mall looks to increase arts focus

In late May, University Mall will play host to a group of visitors from more than 8,000 miles away.

As part of The ArtsCenter’s Sacred Arts Tour, monks from the Drepung Gomang Monastery in Karnataka, India will share a message of religious understanding with the Chapel Hill community at the mall.

To mall arts initiative director Jennifer Collins-Mancour, who was hired in October, this performance will showcase the mall’s recent efforts to make the shopping center a cultural destination for locals.

“We really decided to commit to make arts a vital part of the programming,” she said. “The plan is to appeal to people on many different levels.”

The mall is currently holding the third annual Scrapel Hill Art Exhibit, which features artwork made from recycled materials and aims to inspire creative reuse.

The mall has also recently attracted art-related stores, including the Raleigh-based Seagrove Pottery Gallery, which opened the first week of April.

Store owner David King said he was excited to be located in University Mall.

“We like the mix of tenants that are in the mall, the local stores as well as the chain stores,” he said. “Since it’s a university area, we’ve been seeing some younger customers.”

To continue the arts movement, mall marketing director Angela Slater said the center will hold its first concert series this summer featuring popular beach bands from around the state.

“The series is fully booked and the buzz has been really good,” she said. “We’re trying to reach out to the public and get them to hang out and enjoy University Mall.”

Other mall growth

The mall will also house businesses like Jewelworks, which plans to relocate from Carr Mill Mall by June 1, and Red Bowl Asian Bistro, which hopes to open by early May.

John Zhang, a consultant to Red Bowl Asian Bistro owner Zhe Lin, said the restaurant chose the mall as a 17th location because of its accessibility, large parking lot and proximity to UNC.

Mall general manager Peter de Leon said the shopping center is close to filling 90 percent of its 366,000 square feet, and he and his associates hope to host more events to draw consumers.

Slater is also trying to open up a play area for infants and toddlers that would be open five days a week.

She said she hopes to have the play area operating by mid-May and thinks it will offer parents who don’t work a way to give their children time to run around while they shop.

“We haven’t really reached out to students yet, so that’s coming,” Slater said. “Everyone should keep an eye on us.”

Contact the City Editor at city@dailytarheel.com.