Last modified: Wednesday, July 2, 2008 11:02 AM PDT West Park Plaza mall management is currently looking to attract new businesses to the western part of the city by planning an exterior renovation of the facility. Mall manager Mellissa Coon also plans to make the area more attractive to businesses by offering reduced and even free monthly rents on vacant space to help those businesses get started. What next? By Katie Pizza Argus Observer Ontario — The future of West Park Plaza developed into a critical theme for two candidates seeking to fill a vacant Ontario City Council slot during an interview session last week, but the current manager of the facility said she is optimistic about its future. Joseph Garner, a candidate for the position vacated by councilman Jim Mosier in June, brought up the fact the plaza, which was renovated in 1995, is nearly empty except for a few stores. “I’ll help in any way I can on that,” he said Thursday. Norm Crume, another candidate for the position, also talked about the mall. He asserted there should be some sort of incentive for interested businesses to situate at the mall. He said this change could help alleviate the congestion on the east side of Ontario. Mellissa Coon, manager and maintenance supervisor of the West Park Plaza Mall, said the mall is still a viable facility. “I think the old girl’s in pretty good shape,” Coon said. “She just needs some people in here.” The mall, which was built in 1971, has seen its share of businesses come and go. Once a showcase for Ontario’s west side, during the past few years West Park Plaza watched one business after another flee. However, Coon said, some businesses are still looking to situate to the plaza. One such business is The Joy Luck Restaurant, slated to fill the spot left vacant by Kentucky Fried Chicken, situated across the parking lot from the main part of the plaza. Though much of the restaurant’s amenities have already been purchased — such as tabletops and menus — the opening of the establishment has been postponed. Paul Xiang, the owner, is currently caring for family in his native China, which is recovering from an 8.0 earthquake that left nearly 70,000 dead in May. China was also hit by floods, which caused billions of dollars worth of damage, according to the same report. “With all the bad things in China, he got delayed,” Coon said. However, Coon said the restaurant is still slated to open when the owner returns. She also said a group of people from Los Angeles are looking to set up shop within the plaza, which will operate as an outlet, selling everything from furniture to clothing items. Coon said she heard from two people from the company who are set to view the store area this week. “We have new people coming in to look at stores tomorrow,” Coon said Tuesday. One potential area they will be looking at is the left side of the building, which previously held the Emporium. She also said the plaza is expecting a smaller variety store to join its ranks, which will sell items such as horse tack, housewares and items from local artists. This will not be the only avenue for artists to express their talent within the establishment’s walls. Coon said she plans to open the area directly across from the front entrance to locals who would like a place to sell their wares. “People can come in for free,” she said. “Just basically come in and get their stuff set up.” She said she hopes this will increase foot traffic for the mall. “We’re trying to get people interested in coming to the mall again,” she said. Other potential upgrades include a spa and hair and nail salon, which may be situated where a beauty school once was. Coon said this conclusion was reached after talking to residents and discovering what they wanted in a mall. Coon also spoke about a potential remodel of the establishment, a plan that has been in the talking stage since May 2007. The remodel plan will include archways on the outside of the building to alert passers-by of the stores inside. However, the original remodeling plan included removing the roses stationed outside the building, which Coon opposed. “I threw a fit,” she said. “They have been there since I can remember.” Coon said she also plans to make the flashing sign near the street more visible to drivers. “We spent like $20,000 on that sign,” Coon said. “And you can’t see it until you’re right on it.” She said she plans to rectify this situation by replacing the trees surrounding the sign with smaller ones. Currently, Coon said, the mall is looking into giving a discounted rate for businesses willing to move into the spaces available. “We can give them so many months free or a discount on rent,” Coon said.