SouthPark hires new guest services manager

SouthPark mall has hired Raye Schmucker as its new guest services manager. Schmucker will be in charge of managing programs such as the mall's giftcard sales, the Simon Kidgits Club, and, of course, the guest services department.

She'll be responsible for raising sales of Simon Giftcards, SouthPark said. The Simon Giftcard is basically a Visa or American Express giftcard good anywhere those credit cards are accepted.

Schmucker has been in customer service-related positions for more than 20 years, SouthPark said, with jobs in grocery and hotel guest relations, managing a travel agency and running two personal businesses.

She graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. A native of LaGrange, Illinois, she lives with her husband in Monroe.

New store, plastic surgery office now open at SouthPark

Two new stores are now open in the Village at SouthPark, and Paul Simon's for Women is opening soon.

Eye Candy is a new, 1,500-square-foot boutique. It's the Gastonia-based store's second location. And Criswell & Criswell, a plastic surgery office, is also now open.

Lily Pulitzer opened in the mall last month, in case you missed it. Here's a post about the stores when they were announced. Combined with Coldwater Creek's closure and City Tavern moving into what was formerly San Antonio's, it's shaping up to be a pretty busy year at SouthPark.

City Tavern to open at SouthPark this spring

City Tavern is getting ready to open at SouthPark mall, management said, and a new salad spot recently opened in the mall's food court.

The new City Tavern will be going into the former San Antonio's Modern Mexican building. The opening is planned for March, as my colleague Helen Schwab reported, though no exact date has been given.

There are currently two City Tavern locations, one in the Rivergate Shopping Center in southwest Charlotte and one on Rea Road in Ballantyne.

Crunch Salads is also now open in the mall's food court. The restaurant sells salads, flatbreads and soups.

Four new stores, plastic surgery office to open soon at SouthPark

SouthPark mall announced on Tuesday evening a slew of new outlets set to open over the coming months, including House of Hoops by Foot Locker, Lily Pulitzer, Criswell & Criswell, Eye Candy, and Paul Simon for Women.

Here's a quick rundown of the new stores:

• House of Hoops, 6,100 square feet. Set to open mid-November, this boutique-style store will sell player footwear, basketball shoes by Nike, Converse and Jordan Brand, customizable t-shirts and more. There will also be a "VIP area" to read magazines and watch player interviews.
• Lily Pulitzer, 2,490 square feet. This store will open in February 2012, with its line of handbags, accessories, clothing and more featuring the brand's signature print designs.
• Eye Candy, 1,500 square feet. The shop opening in the Village at SouthPark in March 2012 will be the Gastonia-based company's second boutique, selling labels such as Shaye Blue, Judith March and Savannah Rae.
• Paul Simon for Women, 3,000 square feet. Set to open in summer 2012 in the Village at SouthPark, the store will sell "classic clothing with a twist."
• Criswell & Criswell, 3,000 square feet. This plastic surgery office, also opening in the Village at SouthPark, will be the Charlotte practice's second location. The office will provide a "friendly and discreet environment," a SouthPark spokeswoman said in a press release.

So, there you have it. Shop till you drop, then settle in for a consultation for what to do about those pesky crow's feet.