The 1.4 million-square-foot outdoor St. Johns Town Center shopping center comprises more than 175 stores, including nearly 30 restaurants and food venues.
Simon Property Group of Indianapolis is the landlord of the center, which anchors northwest Butler Boulevard and Interstate 295.
Over the past two years, Simon has been regrouping retailers to appeal to shoppers in similar target markets. Most of that work has now been completed and the construction walls that were up last year during the holiday season are down.
The shopping center celebrated Nov. 15 with a Holiday Spectacular 20th Anniversary event featuring entertainment, a tree lighting, fireworks and the arrival of Santa.
Here’s a look at what’s new and what’s moved the past year.
St. Johns Town Center replaced its four main entry signs that have greeted visitors since the project launched its first phase of shopping in 2005.
Replacing the signs cost about $403,000. Dowling Signs of North Central Florida did the work.
The Ann Taylor women’s clothing and accessories store is open in its renovated space at 4711 River City Drive, Unit 103.
The renovation was a more than $400,000 project for its 3,990-square-foot space.
Ann Taylor is a brand of the KnitWell Group, which also owns women’s clothing stores Chico’s, Lane Bryant, Loft, Soma, Talbots and WHBM White House Black Market.
Spencer’s, the novelties shop that says it provides “everything you didn’t know you needed,” is open at 4611 River City Drive, Unit 113, between Hand & Stone and GNC.
Spencer’s says its mantra is “Life’s a party – and we’re makin’ it fun.” The store sells jewelry, T-shirts and adult novelties along with apparel, accessories, décor, lighting and more.
It is the third Spencer’s in Northeast Florida, which also has locations in The Avenues and Orange Park Mall. Parent company Spencer Spirit Holdings also owns Spirit Halloween.
Swiss watchmaker Omega opened in September at 4835 River City Drive, Suite 105, in the former Tesla auto showroom space in an end unit next to the Apple store.
The store features a large, gold astronaut statue.
Owner The Swatch Group says that since 1965, the Omega Speedmaster has been worn on each of NASA’s piloted missions, including all six moon landings, and has been aboard “many of history’s greatest explorations beyond Earth.”
Fashion designer Marc Jacobs is open at 4812 River City Drive, Unit 119, next to Brooks Brothers and across from Vineyard Vines.
The boutique says it “reflects the designer’s distinctive style, playful yet polished, with nods to art, pop culture and street fashion.” It carries ready-to-wear clothing, handbags, footwear, fragrances and accessories.
Talbots previously was in the space.
Sally Beauty, an international specialty retailer and distributor of professional beauty supplies, moved to 4624 Town Crossing Drive, Unit 137, next to European Wax Center in a set of stores anchored by Paul Mitchell, The School Jacksonville.
The space had been Sweet by Holly. Sally Beauty had been near Target in a space taken by Spencer’s.
Dave’s Hot Chicken opened in April at 10261 River Marsh Drive, No. 137. It is next to PetSmart and Firehouse Subs in a corner space that was once a Sprint store.
It is the first Northeast Florida location for the Pasadena, California-based chain. The company serves tenders, sliders, fries, kale slaw and macaroni and cheese. The seven spice levels range from no spice to “Reaper.”
Ear-piercing retailer Rowan is open at 10281 Midtown Parkway, Unit 185, which is across the circle drive from Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant.
The store is in the former Banter by Piercing Pagoda space next to Kay Jewelers. Rowan says at heyrowan.com that nurses perform the ear piercings and the earrings are hypoallergenic.
Paris Baguette, a fast-casual bakery cafe with more than 4,000 locations around the world, is building-out space at 4624 Town Crossing Drive, Unit E09A.
It is between Le Boutique and Smoothie King near Chicken Salad Chick and Noodles & Co. Paris Baguette specializes in freshly baked cakes, pastries, quiches and bread products, and serves Lavazza coffee products.
The menu includes tarts, croissants, fruit pastries, doughnuts, croquettes, breakfast sandwiches, salads, sandwiches and wraps.
Crocs is open at 4611 River City Drive, Unit 101, near Spencer’s. Crocs sells shoes made out of a resin it calls Croslite.
It offers clogs, sandals, platforms, wedges, slides, flip-flops, sneakers, boots, slippers and flats as well as gardening shoes. It also offers Jibbitz charms accessories and socks.
It is the former Uniformi-T space adjacent to Target. Uniformi-T moved to 3980 Southside Blvd., No. 107, in Wild Plum Plaza.
Mayors Jewelers is back in its renovated space at 4834 River City Drive, Unit 119.
Mayors operated in a temporary location while the $1.5 million remodeling was underway. The end unit is next to Tiffany & Co. at the south end of the shopping center.