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As MJ Carlisle Mall gets set for a vast redevelopment that includes construction of a 200,006-square-foot store, which might house a Wal-Mart, many of Carlisle's downtown retailers say they're confident of keeping their customers. Others express concerns. None said they'd move to the mall.
"The mall won't benefit or hurt us," said Sonja Lang, merchandiser for Classic Rags Clothing Co., seller of men's and women's vintage clothes and new sportswear. "We have our own clientele. Our contemporary sportswear styles precede those in department stores, and we sell a higher quality than they do. We have a prime location for what we're doing."
Lang said that 30 percent of Classic Rags' business comes from people associated with Dickinson College, which is within walking distance of the store, and that other customers go out of their way to find the store.
"Downtown Carlisle is a stable downtown," said Lang, "and we all are into keeping the area alive and growing. The mall will help keep Carlisle money in Carlisle."
"It's positive for the local economy when we can attract business and create jobs for people," said Eric Swartley, chairman of the 450-member Greater Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce and district manager for UGI Utilities in the Carlise area. "I see lots of Carlisle people shopping in the Mechanicsburg Wal-Mart. It would be good to keep them in Carlisle to shop. Certainly (the downtown business climate) is a concern, but some of the specialty services...