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Contact: Dave Eckmann President, Wausau Opportunity Zone, Inc. 715 845 6231 For Immediate Release April 5 2021 Wausau Opportunity Zone, Inc. Announces The Closing of Wausau Center Mall With the remaining retail tenant closing its doors for business effective immediately April 5th, 2021, the Wausau Center Mall has officially closed its doors. A key part of downtown Wausau enters a new and exciting chapter. We extend our appreciation and gr atit ude to those comp anies that called Wausau Center Mall home, some since 1983. We also extend sincere appreciat ion to the patronage of the many people that visited the mall over the decades. HOM Furniture remains open for business and the two parking ramps adjacent to the mall will remain open. Those consumers intending to shop at HOM Furniture should plan to use the east parking ramp (former Sears parking ramp) and access the store at that entrance. Several former retailer tenants have moved their operations. Buckle, Maurices, and Spencer Gifts have or will be relocating to Rib Mountain Drive. Reflexology Massage relocated to 315 North 3rd Street in downtown Wausau. The closing clears the way for the new mall owner the Wausau Opportunity Zone, Inc. to begin transformation of the property into a vibrant and thriving urban hub complete with housing, boutique retail, hospitality and gathering spaces. The first phase of the demolition process is anticipated to begin in May 2021. WOZ bought the mall in February 2020 with funding from a pair of local foundations, the Dwight and Linda Davis Foundation and the Judd S. Alexander Foundation, in partnership with the City of Wausau. A collective vision has been established to create a downtown destination which integrates with the rest of downtown and improvements along the Wisconsin River. Wausau Opportunity Zone has engaged Chuck Ghidorzi to act as Managing Director, leading the planning process for redevelopment of the property. In the coming weeks, more information addressing frequently asked questions including design renderings and future updates on the project will be available at GreaterWausau.org/WOZ