The Mall at Johnson City launches new gift card program

By Lesley Jenkins
Star Staff
ljenkins@starhq.com

   The Mall at Johnson City has a busy schedule ahead for 2004 as it works toward a better tomorrow by adding new stores and scheduling helpful events for the community.
   Over the past year, three stores have located in the mall: Hot Topic, Maurices and Wet Seal, according to Marketing Manager Marsha Hammond. Unfortunately, Radio Shack recently decided to move its location from the mall to another location in Johnson City. The location has not been decided.
   The mall was awarded the Humanitarian Award for the Johnson City/Washington County Red Cross and supported 75 different non-profit organizations through the Magical Night of Giving.
   Other helpful events for the community are Planet Kids events, Toys for Tots, and the Angel Tree.
   The next Planet Kid event is the Spring Fling on March 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is a free interactive family oriented event with local organizations setting up booths around the mall, including Hands On! Museum, Washington County Boys and Girls Club, Washington County EMS, Tipton Haynes Historical Site, Johnson City Police Department, Rocky Mount, and many more.
   "The mall is positive about the future and continues to strive for the best shopping experience in the area," Hammond said.
   "We are trying to bring in trendy stores, but at this time we have nothing new to announce," she added.
   Although she didn't have any new stores to announce, she was excited to announce the beginning of the new gift card program, started on March 10. The benefit of the gift card program versus the previous gift certificates is the stability of a card instead of paper. Hammond said many customers have complained that if a gift certificate was washed it became worthless, but a gift card is more durable.
   The best benefit to the card is the ability to register the card on the mall's Web site and if lost the card can be replaced for a minimal fee.
   Last year the mall sold over $1 million in gift certificates. Hammond said the cards are more convenient and the mall wants to become part of this growing trend.
   Another upcoming event the mall is hosting is the University of Tennessee Caravan with Phil Fulmer and some players coming to the mall to meet and greet people.
   The annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny will be on March 27. Tickets are limited. To purchase tickets or for more information about other events please call 423-282-2830 or visit www.mallatjohnsoncity.com.