KOP Redevelopment Continues With 2 New Restaurants

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal, Kenneth Hilario

The place where you could once get your oil changed at the King of Prussia Mall is set to become a destination where you can get a craft beer or a steak dinner. Two separate food-and-beverage concepts have signed leases to replace the former Sears Auto Center at the mall.

Two years ago, Sears closed its location in the Simon Properties Group-owned King of Prussia Mall. The massive shopping center then reached lease agreements with European retailer Primark and Dick’s Sporting Goods, which now occupy the first and second floor of the former 21,260-square-foot department store.

Both retailers opened in 2015, and now it’s on to the former Sears Auto Center, which will get new life as a dining destination.

New York-based real estate investment trust Seritage Growth Properties has signed leases with restaurant concepts Yard House and Outback Steakhouse to occupy the former auto center, which is located next to Dick’s Sporting Goods.

No opening dates have been announced.

When reached for comment, a spokeswoman for Outback parent company Bloomin’ Brands Inc. declined to confirm the King of Prussia Mall location, instead saying “we assess our restaurant locations on an ongoing basis to determine suitable sites for our restaurants. I can tell you that we are interested in the area.”

Bloomin’ Brands, however, already has a presence within the King of Prussia Mall; the hospitality company also owns Bonefish Grill, which opened last year near the Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Yard House did not immediately return a request for comment.

Construction to repurpose the auto center began in the first quarter of this year, and it’s part of Seritage’s strategy to repurpose Sears-owned properties in the United States.

The King of Prussia Mall has been increasing its reputation as a dining destination in the past few months.

The mall this month completed and opened its 155,000-square-foot expansion project connecting the Court with the Plaza, creating one mall. About seven fast-casual restaurants, including Chef Kevin Sbraga’s The Fat Ham, Washington, D.C.-based sweetgreen, New York’s Melt Shop and Philadelphia’s Hai Street Kitchen have opened there.

In what was once called the Court, Chef Marc Vetri’s Pizzeria Vetri in October will open adjacent to the Urban Outfitters.

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Outside the mall, Phoenix-based True Food Kitchen will open their first Pennsylvania outpost. It is under construction, and it’s set to open next summer. The restaurant will be located on the right side of where Shake Shack is.

The nearby King of Prussia Town Center has also been curating its own list of notable restaurants, many of which are already open, including b.good, Fogo de Chao and Naf Naf Grill.