Columnist Muriel Stevens: Business at malls still steady

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002 | 8:15 a.m.

Last week's story questioning the impact of the newly expanded Fashion Show on other malls showed that retail sales are holding up well.

Numbers at the Forum Shops at Caesars have increased considerably, according to Marketing Director Maureen Crampton, and Cayse Asterlund, general manager of the Boulevard mall, said that his center, "Caters primarily to locals and continues to provide them with what they want, so our figures are solid."

The opening of some new stores, including the first Torrid in Nevada, has produced good results. Torrid sells "funky alternative apparel" for young plus sizes. Front Row Sports, another specialty apparel shop, is also a popular store.

In the food court the first branch of Hawaii's La Haina Chicken is winning raves and so is the Nestle's Toll House cookie store near JCPenney (all this according to the enthusiastic Asterlund).

Galleria at Sunset hosts Santa: Santa is already in place at Galleria. He arrived Friday and will be in the mall's center court through Dec. 24.

A professional photographer will take digital shots of the kids with Santa. They can be viewed, ordered and picked up in a short time. Parents are invited to bring their own cameras as well.

On Monday Salvation Army's Angel Tree will debut. This is a terrific program. The Angel Tree is located on the upper level at the JCPenney court.

Each tree angel represents the holiday wishes of a child or children in the same family. Angels can be chosen through Dec. 18. Hopefully, the tree will be bare long before then.

On Nov. 30 shoppers can contribute to the Holiday Blood Drive at the JCPenney court on the lower level.

Special events will take place at Galleria throughout the holiday season. For more information call 434-0202.

Meadows mall, Evening of Giving: A number of local nonprofit organizations will benefit from Meadows mall's Evening of Giving, Saturday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

For just a $5 donation guests can help support more than 60 local charities, including the Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada, Children's Miracle Network and Las Vegas.

Evening of Giving includes live entertainment, strolling carolers, a kids' cookie-decorating booth and more.

Ticket holders will also receive free gift wrapping and a free Santa photo.

Tickets can be purchased at the Customer Service Center at Meadows mall or by calling customer service at 878-3331.

Escada celebrates: Luxury fashion house Escada will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Las Vegas boutique in the Forum Shops at Caesars with a salute to Opera Las Vegas.

The four-day salute (Dec. 4 through Dec. 7) begins with a by-invitation-only reception Dec. 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m that includes an informal fashion show of Escada's Spring/Summer 2003 Ready-to-Wear Couture and Diamond and Jewelry collections, plus performances from Opera Las Vegas. A portion of the sales during the salute will go to the opera company.

Escada's 2003 collections are featured in W, InStyle, Harper's Bazaar and Vogue magazines.