What) The $120 million private reinvestment in Westfield Santa Anita Mall includes a 115,000 square foot expansion featuring outdoor walkways through an oasis of shady trees, gardens, fountains, canopies and majestic palms.  The lushly landscaped Promenade, set against the backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, features new two-level subterranean parking and easy access to 30 new stores and restaurants.

    “It is our philosophy to continually invest — and reinvest — in our shopping centers,” says Larry Green, Senior Vice President of Development for Westfield.  “The Promenade is a model of that commitment, and we are thrilled to offer this new outdoor garden oasis to our shoppers and our community.” (1)

    Why) To be honest, we had 2 hours to kill until the Santa Anita racetrack opened up.  Fortunately, the mall had some interesting architectural features and there was a good book store so I was happy.  In the Borders store, I managed to find a 20 year collection of Dilbert comics for me as well as a beautifully illustrated Life of Christ that I ended giving to my grandmother.  Both of these items were in the discount bin so you could say that things really couldn't have been any better.