East Hills Shopping Center Media Release
After almost five decades of overseeing the operations and management of the East Hills Shopping Center, MD Management has announced that it is turning over the management reigns to Craig Realty Group.
“We are excited to bring in Craig Realty Group to enhance the East Hills experience for all patrons,” said Garry Hayes, Director of Leasing at MD Management. “We spent a great deal of time inspecting Craig Realty Group’s impressive properties and practices around the country and we look forward to seeing their approach at East Hills. “East Hills is a very important property to our Company. We also recognize the importance of the shopping center within the St. Joseph community as well the surrounding communities of Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas. We felt if we were going to take the property to the next level, Craig Realty Group was the firm that could accomplish that.”
The management change was announced to the on-site management team earlier today.
“We are delighted to have been selected by the Morgan and Dreiseszun families to oversee this iconic shopping center,” said Steven Craig. “It’s especially gratifying to me personally since I grew up in St. Joseph and spent a great deal of my childhood and young adult years at the mall.” “East Hills will continue to thrive in its current format and will not become an outlet center.”
“Our number one goal is to improve the overall shopping experience for East Hills’ customers and to make East Hills the safest and friendliest place to shop.”
Craig said that a second goal is to return East Hills to its former status of “the number one gathering place in the community” “We have a beautiful facility to work with and are confident that, with a lot of hard work, we can accomplish our goals.”
Craig Realty Group owns and operates 11 shopping centers, primarily outlet centers, in 7 states, with 7 additional centers in development including Outlets at San Clemente, California; Sussex Commons Lifestyle Outlet, New Jersey; Chicagoland Outlets at Country Club Hills, Illinois; Outlets at Kapolei Commons, Oahu, Hawaii; Outlets at Richmond, Virginia; Outlets at Cleveland, Garfield Heights, Ohio; and Outlets at Lacey, Washington.
Since its opening in 1965, East Hills has undergone many changes, including a major renovation and expansion in 1988, which included the additions of Dillard’s and Sears as well as 34 specialty stores. In 2008, East Hills underwent another major revitalization and redevelopment in order to continue to be the area’s premier shopping destination.
Garry Hayes will continue to be a part of the day-to-day Leasing efforts at East Hills, in tandem with strong support from Steve Craig and the Craig Realty Group Leasing team.
Mr. Craig has other interests in the St. Joseph community, including the recently completed restoration of the Geiger Mansion. An historic property, built in 1911, the Geiger Mansion had fallen into disrepair after United Missouri Bank had closed their branch there. Mr. Craig took a personal interest in the Geiger Mansion because of its historic significance in the community. Very soon, a coffee house, Pronto Café, will open at the Geiger Mansion.
“St. Joseph is a part of me, and I’m very excited to be a part of St. Joseph, and East Hills in particular,” said Craig. “Part of my heart will always be in this community – it helped to mold who I am. I’m thrilled to carry the torch forward at East Hills and take it to that next level.”
The management change will become effective June 3, 2014.