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Kempner: Gwinnett Place mall owner now rethinks remake for struggling shopping center

Shoppers and retailers are in short supply at Gwinnett Place mall in Duluth. Once a center of commerce, the mall has struggled and plans for a major redevelopment have yet to be finalized. MATT KEMPNER / AJC
Shoppers and retailers are in short supply at Gwinnett Place mall in Duluth. Once a center of commerce, the mall has struggled and plans for a major redevelopment have yet to be finalized. MATT KEMPNER / AJC
By Matt Kempner
May 5, 2017

The owner of Gwinnett Place mall had big redevelopment plans it said it would submit to Gwinnett County in March. Didn't happen.

Now, in a new interview, the CEO of Moonbeam Capital Investments is hedging on when he will do so.

Find out what he plans to do exclusively on myAJC.com

It's been nearly four years since the company bought the Duluth mall at what seemed like a bargain basement price. But CEO Steven Maksin cites complications in determining what kind of mixed-use development to pursue there, though he said he expects it to include apartments, offices, entertainment and less shopping.

Frustrations are growing as the mall faces more problems.

In response to doubters, Maksin cites a line spoken by the character “Larry the liquidator” in the 1990s movie ‘Other People’s Money.’

“I’m not your best friend. I’m your only friend.”

What does he mean and why does he say people will be surprised about what’s ahead? More in my latest Unofficial Business column on myAJC.com.

Don't miss one word of Matt Kempner's Unofficial Business column. Subscribe to myAJC.com

In other Gwinnett County news:

Two Gwinnett County officers were fired after a violent traffic stop that was caught on camera.

About the Author

Matt Kempner is an award-winning journalist who seeks out intriguing twists about people and subjects beyond what the AJC might typically cover. A former columnist and editor, his past assignments have included business investigations, energy, the economy, entrepreneurs, big business, consumer spending, politics, government and the environment.

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