La Encantada is experiencing a growth spurt, three years after the upscale shopping center opened in the Foothills with much flair and anticipation.
Though still only 82 percent to 83 percent full, the center at 2905 E. Skyline Drive has seen a flurry of activity in the last few months in terms of new tenants.
"I think we have a great mix right now," said Linda Shalit, marketing manager for La Encantada. "We can really appeal to many customers and shoppers."
The November opening of high-profile tenants Tiffany & Co. and Louis Vuitton made headlines throughout the Tucson area, but since then several other stores have opened at La Encantada.
Cosmetics store M.A.C. opened in November, followed by French clothier BCBG Max Azria. Mexico City-based jeweler Tane hung signs in the window in December, and specialty stationery store Papyrus started operating in January.
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Shalit also said existing store Adrienne Vittadini, which is owned by Brooks Brothers, recently closed to be converted into Brooks Brothers Women and Brooks Brothers Country Club, which offers men's fashions.
Another change involved only a name. Tucson-based clothier Sunset Canyon, which Shalit says specializes in "denim couture," is now known as Loop.
On the near horizon: two more dining options.
First up is Armitage Wine Lounge & Cafe, which is scheduled to open between March 15 and April 15. Around the same time is the expected opening of Blanco, Scottsdale-based restaurateur Sam Fox's new Mexican eatery.
While the rest of La Encantada's restaurants are grouped together on the northeast end of the center, Shalit said Armitage and Blanco will be in the middle of the complex. Each will provide indoor and outdoor seating.
La Encantada will lose one of its charter tenants at the end of the month when Performance Footwear closes. The locally owned shoe retailer, which also operates stores at Williams Centre on East Broadway and on East Speedway near North Campbell Avenue, will remain open through Feb. 27, said general manager Kyle Johnson.
Johnson said the company chose to pull out of La Encantada to expand elsewhere, with plans to open a store in Chandler this summer.
"As a whole the shopping center was fantastic," Johnson said of La Encantada. "I think our store fit fine up there. We were glad to have the opportunity to have a store up there for three years."
Johnson said his only concern with La Encantada was relatively slow traffic flow near Performance Footwear's location, on the top floor near the south end of the complex.
Shalit is working on bringing in more new tenants. One of those could be what she says most customers are asking for — a coffee store.
"All of the people who shop here tell us all the time we need a coffee store, and we'd like that, too," said Shalit, who noted that specialty grocer AJ's Fine Foods sells coffee. "We want to have here what is going to attract customers."
