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RIVER RIDGE MALL

River Ridge Mall to update food court, West End

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Attention Lynchburg shoppers — the River Ridge Mall is getting a facelift. The updates will start with the demolition of the former Macy’s building to make way for the revitalized West End, which officials say will be home to restaurants, entertainment, retail and personal services. “The West End will be like a streetscape, so I think it will give it the appeal that we don’t have elsewhere on the property,” said Louise Dudley, the mall’s general manager. Demolition of the former Macy’s is scheduled to begin in the Spring, while completion of the West End is slated for 2022. The food court will also be renovated and replaced with a new food hall with indoor and outdoor seating, with construction set to begin in the second quarter of 2021.

COVID-19 affects Christmas Eve shopping at Lynchburg’s River Ridge Mall

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Like many things, Christmas Eve shopping looked different this year because of COVID-19, but at the River Ridge Mall in Lynchburg, there was still a deadline dash for deals. Louise Dudley, the mall’s general manager, said that impacted this year’s Christmas Eve crowd. Inside the mall, 10 News witnessed many shoppers wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and using hand sanitizer; while there were some lines outside of stores. But not as packed as other shoppers thought. I thought it would be really crazy out here today,” added Quinton Cox.”The River Ridge Mall is closed on Christmas Day.

Holiday events return to River Ridge Mall with COVID-19 changes

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Lynchburg’s River Ridge Mall is teaming up with the Salvation Army for the annual Red Kettle Campaign. Guests can sponsor a child by taking a tag off the ‘Angel Trees’ and bringing the gift back to River Ridge or the Salvation Army. And starting next weekend, you can meet Santa, but guests are asked to make reservations online. “We’ll be cleaning between each visit with Santa Claus. You do have to be socially distant from Santa Claus, so you can’t sit on his lap this year; but that’s okay because we’re still going to make the photos look really great,” said Katie Farris, the mall’s marketing manager.

Centra, River Ridge Mall partner for ‘I Pink I Can’ fundraiser

LYNCHBURG, Va. – You can find great deals at Lynchburg’s River Ridge Mall. The River Ridge Mall is partnering with Centra for its 2nd annual ‘I Pink I Can’ campaign, where you can add names of those affected by breast cancer to a pink ribbon tree. Through online donations, you can enter for the chance to win a one-of-a-kind pink, diamond necklace valued at $500. We just want to spread the word,” said John Quinlin, manager of the River Ridge Henebry’s Jewelers store. You can be in the running for the diamond necklace by making a donation through Centra’s website.

Malls provide rain-free trick-or-treating experience amid storms

ROANOKE, Va. - The rain on Halloween night may have made traditional trick-or-treating a challenge, but malls throughout the area provided an alternative. Several malls hosted indoor trick-or-treating, including Valley View Mall and Tanglewood Mall in Roanoke, River Ridge Mall in Lynchburg and New River Valley Mall in Christiansburg. Valley View's event proved to be popular, as the mall filled up with kids in costumes looking for treats. Most were accompanied by their parents, with several of them also getting into the Hallowen spirit. "It's cool to have fun with family, while dressing up and being free, said John Lewis, who came to the Valley View Mall event in a matching Spiderman costume with his son, Elijah.

SeaQuest Lynchburg opens to the public Friday

LYNCHBURG, Va. - You don't have to travel far to interact with animals from Australia, Africa, Asia or even places like Iceland because now they're at the brand new SeaQuest Lynchburg in River Ridge Mall. River Ridge Mall says this opening is a moment that's been in the works since the first of the year. Before SeaQuest Lynchburg opens its doors to the community, 10 News Reporter Megan Woods got a chance to go behind the scenes to see what's in store. For more information on Sea Quest Lynchburg ticketing click here. SeaQuest Lynchburg hours reflect River Ridge Mall hours.

Liberty University submits plans for Phase 4 of River Ridge Mall renovations

LYNCHBURG, Va. - Brand-new landscaping and new signs are just some of the new things you'll see outside Lynchburg's mall next year. Officials with Liberty University recently submitted plans to begin Phase 4 with renovating River Ridge Mall. They've been calling for it for a while, rightly so, but also the retailers want to see something done here. There will be a brand-new shiny shopping center and entertainment center in the next year or so," Craig Pettitt, vice president of Real Estate, said. Renovations for Phase 1, which includes the center part of the mall is expected to finish by Thanksgiving.

SeaQuest will open this month in Lynchburg

LYNCHBURG, Va. - After some delays, SeaQuest has announced when it will open in Lynchburg's River Ridge Mall. Mark your calendar for Friday, Oct. 18, when you'll be able to see 1,200 animals from five different continents. If you'd like to be a member, SeaQuest is extending its 50% off membership sale until Oct. 15. "We are very excited to open our doors right here in Lynchburg," said SeaQuest Lynchburg general manager Shannon Jeirles. While there's been excitement around the aquarium's coming to Lynchburg, PETA has been adamantly against SeaQuest's opening.

Come one, Come all! Broadway musical-style circus returns--to Lynchburg

LYNCHBURG, Va. - The circus is in town--well, Lynchburg to be specific. This weekend, when you drive by River Ridge Mall parking lot you'll spot a huge, lit-up circus tent. "The Venardos Circus" is a unique, Broadway musical-style show that features 10 performers from all over the world. Live on Virginia Today, 10 News reporter Megan Woods gives a sneak peek at that the talented people who make this circus an unforgettable experience. Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.