SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - A major shake up is coming to the shopping sector in downtown Salt Lake City. ABC 4 has exclusively learned - Apple is coming to City Creek, and the company has a big incentive to join the mall.
When Apple has a sale, everybody knows it. It draws crowds by the hundreds.
"I love apple," said one Apple customer.
"So, it's safe to say when Apple comes out with something new you will be here?” Reporter Brian Carlson asked another Apple customer.
“I will be here," he said.
Soon the money these tech savvy shoppers are spending will flow into City Creek. Brandon Fugal with Coldwell Banker handles real estate deals in downtown Salt Lake, and he claims Apple is opening a new store at City Creek.
“Apple is making a commitment City Creek and major concession package has been offered to make that happen," said Fugal.
But what does that mean? How big of an incentive is Apple getting?
ABC 4 confirmed through another independent source that the Apple deal is pretty sweet. Not only is Apple coming to City Creek, but Carlson’s sources tell him City Creek is giving Apple 5 years free rent.
Fugal said he's never seen anything like it.
"It's unprecedented,” Fugal said.
ABC 4 went to City Creek, to see if they would confirm the deal.
"Is that true?” Carlson asked City Creek Marketing Director Dee Brewer.
“I, were, uh, we haven't announced any additional retailers," he said.
Our question seemed to catch Marketing Director Dee Brewer off guard. So he asked me if he could clarify.
"Taubman (the company oversees the mall) does not release the terms of its leases,” he said.
“So it's possible then?” asked Carlson.
“It's possible?” Brewer replied.
“Just because it hasn't been released doesn't make it not true. So it's possible,” Carlson said.
“There are a thousand things that could be true. We don't release terms of our leases," Brewer said.
Whether City Creek admits it or not, Fugal claims Apple is on the way.
"They're just preparing to make an announcement," said Fugal.
In fact, it's expected to happen in a matter of weeks.
Apple isn't the only new store coming to City Creek. ABC 4 is told the mall will fill all of its remaining vacancies by the end of the year. City Creek is so successful at filling its stores, when the mall opened; it was among the nation's most occupied.
