WESTLOCK — A long-time fixture in the business community has now closed its doors for good.
The Capri Mall closed last month after town councillors voted to modify three previous orders at their June 12 meeting, requiring several building, fire and electrical code issues in the mall to be fixed or permanently close. Councillors voted to extend the deadline date to close the building to public occupancy, have tenants vacate the site and for Capri Capital Corp. to comply with all of the requirements of the enhancement order by Sept 12. Previously, those dates were May 26, June 5 and Aug. 7.
Town of Westlock CAO Simone Wiley confirmed the closure earlier this month and said the town has not heard from the owner regarding the future of the building.
“The status right now remains as the Capri Mall is closed and we await information from the owner,” said Wiley. “The town issued an order and the order was to remedy the conditions in the building that were deemed unsafe. If they didn’t, then the mall would close and that’s what’s happened to date. We’ve heard nothing from the owner as to what their plans are going forward.”
The Capri Mall was originally scheduled to close in May following a 15-day closure order issued by the Town of Westlock, which claimed it presented a potential risk to the public or any tenant.
Over the past year, former mall tenants Domino’s Pizza shut down and Health Smart Wellness & Massage moved downtown. Wiley said they are pleased to see the mall businesses relocate successfully, including Integra Agencies Ltd., Small Town Vapes, Top Shelf Liquor, Westlock Barber Shop and Your Dollar Store with More, all who were able to find new locations in Westlock and continue operating.
“We’re absolutely happy that they were all able to successfully find a new location in town and continue on,” said Wiley.
Attempts to reach Vince Narang of Capri Capital Corp., for comment were unsuccessful.
