Mall at UTC opens

As co-developers Taubman Centers and Benderson Development readied for the opening of The Mall at University Town Center today, they aimed to surprise and delight.

And, that, they did. 

Eager shoppers began arriving before 9 a.m. to hear live music and other entertainment, before officials started a grand-opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m. 

"Wow. I knew this mall was going to be amazing, but this is absolutely incredible," said Benderson CEO Randy Benderson. "Our community will finally have a premier shopping destination."

Benderson said his late father, Nathan Benderson, came into a work meeting about 10 years ago with a vision to create such a regional shopping destination. 

"He said (the University Parkway and Interstate 75 area) was much more special than anyone could imagine," Benderson said. "Like usual, he was right. He was an incredible man and a true visionary."

Officials celebrated the opening by cutting a ribbon a few minutes before 10 a.m. — just before the mall officially opened for business. Guests were delighted as a flurry of white ticker-tape paper fell from the sky moments after the ribbon was cut.  

The 880,000-square-foot mall includes anchor stores, such as Dillard's, Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as well-known brands like Apple, Forever 21, Express and others. Of the roughly 120 stores in the mall, more than half are new to the Sarasota/Manatee market.

Guest enjoyed live music and other performances as they shopped, as well.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].