Nearly abandoned, depressingly dilapidated, and worth millions of dollars, there is no easy answer to fill the void created by the commercial dinosaur, also known as Vernon Park Mall.
The days of spending hours at the mall are over and residents are looking to owner, David Tsui, for answers. A big part of Kinston’s retail area lies vacant, but should it be revived or simply removed?
The Free Press contacted Tsui about his 623,967-square-foot property located at 834 Hardee Road. Tsui explained, Mike Ingle is his representative for the Vernon Park Mall project. He furnished contact information concluding, “He knows everything about the project.” When Ingle was reached by telephone he said, he is not associated with the property; continuing, “There is no property manager, there are no employees, he’s trying to lease property.” And that his own role is just to “help him in the transition”. Ingles said, “I do know everything about the property, but I don’t know his plans. I know he is trying to rent spaces and there’s no spaces been rented.” Ingle concluded, Tsui has no plans to sell; he is “Spending millions of dollars to fix the mall up. He would not be spending millions of dollars if he wasnt trying to make it happen. Nobody else has spent millions of dollars and everyone else had an opportunity to buy it. I don’t think there is a story here of any type.”
In 2022 a permit for roof repair was obtained, that work continues to be ongoing, according to the Lenoir County Planning and Inspections Department.
Tsui has very recently requested to meet with Lenoir County inspectors, but has giving no indication of what his plans are.
“In its prime, Vernon Park Mall was the primary place to go shopping for clothes, sporting goods, jewelry, etc,” said Lenoir County resident Brenda Stanley. “It was always busy at Christmas time, that’s where everyone went to see Santa. Teenagers used to hang out on the weekends, the parking lot would be packed every July 4 to watch the fireworks. It was the best place in Kinston to socialize.”
Based on digital media comments, the long-gone restaurant “Stacey’s” was also a highlight and attraction; particularly their seasoned fries. Stanley says,
“I’d like to see it returned to its former glory as a mall, but I’m afraid the current economic status of Kinston couldn’t sustain it. It would be nice to be able to go shopping without having to travel to another town.” Belk is the only business operating within Kinston’s 1969 land behemoth.
The Free Press spoke with store manager Jeffery Willaford, who said “the Tsuis continue to make repairs to the mall and I am optimistic about Vernon Park Mall’s future.”
City Council member, Chris Suggs, was asked what can be done with the massive property. Suggs described a mixed-use concept; featuring the potential for residential, shopping, and entertainment. Expanding on opportunities for affordable housing. The leasing info phone number listed on the Vernon Park Mall entrance sign has been disconnected. When The Free Press inquired with commercial real estate agents, no listings for the property had been placed. What exactly is going on here?