Construction of a new strip mall to be built directly west of

the Charleston Wal-Mart Supercenter will begin this week and

should be completed by August or September.

The mall has space for 10 or 11 stores, depending on their

size, and already has a few stores signed on, said Russell L.

Waldschmidt, president of Wald/Land Corporation.

Judy’s Hallmark, Maurice’s and H & R Block will move from

their current locations in West Park Plaza to the strip mall.

Other businesses planned to move in are Hibbett’s Sporting Goods, Advance America, Dollar Tree and the hair salon Greek Clips.

All of the businesses signed a three to five year lease,

Waldschmidt said.

The strip mall is expected to be successful because of how

well the Wal-Mart Supercenter is doing at that same location.

“Wal-Mart is doing very well, as expected,” Waldschmidt

said.

Wald/Land Corporation, which is based in Peoria, brought Wal-Mart Supercenter to Charleston last year and Waldschmidt

said he thought more stores would do well in the Wal-Mart Supercenter area.

“We find that Wal-Mart generates the type of traffic that

businesses find attractive,” Waldschmidt said.

In the past it has been difficult to find businesses to come into Charleston because Mattoon businesses consider Charleston to be a part of their market area. However, after the success of Wal-Mart, more businesses are looking at Charleston as an option, Waldschmidt said.

Wald/Land Corporation is still looking for businesses to fill its vacant spots, and has been talking to both locally-owned business and larger chains. Depending on the type of food, Waldschmidt said that he would consider adding a restaurant to the strip mall.

“We expect more tenants in the near future,” Waldschmidt said.