FOREST ACRES, S.C. — Businesses are popping up around Forest Acres, grabbing the attention of new business owners and residents.
Ruth Armistead describes the current Forest Acres business scene as growing and prosperous. However, it hasn't always been that way. She's the owner of Skin and Brows Redefined, which opened along Beltline Boulevard in January. She said she remembers the ups and downs of development in the area around Richland Mall.
"When I moved here in 2003, everyone had said the Richland Mall was the 'it' mall, and then it started to go under the downslope," she said. "I've seen businesses coming in, going back out."
Joretta Gibson has lived behind the Richland Mall for more than 20 years and recalled seeing a decline.
"At first, it was kind of disappointing, but then I knew that this area, from the day, I saw more pros than cons," she said. "Either way, I knew it was going to come back up; it had to."
Years later, the city sees renewed growth. According to Forest Acres, four new businesses have opened along Beltline Boulevard in the past 12 months, with fast food and a new Prisma urgent care facility under construction. Councilman Stephen Oliver said it's the city's goal to revitalize the area, especially around the Richland Mall.
"When we get new businesses like this, it definitely helps our tax base, which we're excited about," he said. "It also keeps things fresh for people that are moving to Forest Acres and wanting to move to Forest Acres. We've got new families coming in, now - a younger generation."
"They love to see these new restaurants because it gives them an option; they don't have to drive across town to find a place to eat now," he added.
A spokesperson for Forest Acres said it would announce another update on the mall's development on Monday morning. It comes just months after Belk and Barnes & Noble moved out of the building.
"Forest Acres is changing as far as new businesses are coming in, but with the redevelopment of the mall area, we're going to see a huge generational change," Oliver said.
Armistead said she eagerly anticipates what the future could hold.
"I'm excited," she said. "I'm excited to see what's going to happen; I think they're actually going to do it this time."