The Shops at Grand River Outlets ready for phase two.

photo by Mark Almond the Birmingham News

Daniel Corp. hopes to break ground on the second phase of its new outlet mall in Leeds early next year, according to the the Birmingham company's chief executive.

The first phase of The Shops of Grand River, with 330,000 square feet and a $127 million development cost, is slated to open Oct. 28. More than 50 retailers and restaurants have signed on to be a part of the shopping center.

Daniel CEO Charlie Tickle said Wednesday the second phase will cover 170,000 square feet. Financing is in place, and officials want to have a seamless transition into that part of the project, he said in an interview.

Tickle was the keynote speaker at the annual Retail Day event sponsored by the University of Alabama at Birmingham's School of Business and the Alabama Retail Association.

Retailers including Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Gap and Brooks Brothers will be a part of the outlet mall, which is near Bass Pro Shops and Barber Motorsports Park off Interstate 20.

While the past two years have been tough on everyone in the retail business, Tickle offered encouragement by reading a slew of headlines that chronicled the economic slowdown.

Then, he noted that those headlines were from 20 years ago, adding that the economy came back after that downturn, and it will again.

"Times will get better," Tickle said.

SOURCE: AL.com The Birmingham News by Dawn Kent