The Crayola Experience at The Shops at Willow Bend has come to end amid talk about the Dallas Stars moving to the mall site.
The crayon-focused attraction – one of the key draws at the struggling mall – has closed “permanently” after about eight years in operation there, according to its website. That follows being temporarily closed earlier this year after a lockout notice was posted on its windows and pointing to “delinquent rent.”
However, it would reopen by early March and then “temporarily” close again before the permanent shuttering of the attraction that’s operated under a license by Brite Management/BrightColors LLC. The Crayola Experience remains open in some other states.
The closure brings yet another exit to the mall that’s been the subject of speculation about a future Dallas Stars home. The News first reported in October that the NHL team was eyeing Willow Bend as the site for a more than $1 billion arena. In addition, the City of Plano “has been in earnest discussions” with the NHL hockey team for the past year regarding the site.
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Dillard’s, the large department store, closed recently at The Shops at Willow Bend, and the North Texas Performing Arts group was told by the landlord it would have to make plans to leave the mall. Neiman Marcus is set to exit with the sale of its site.
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Crayola said it understands the closure is disappointing and frustrating to those in the Plano area who have enjoyed visiting — and those who made plans to do so. The website lists options for those seeking refunds or have other questions.
“We remain committed to our location-based entertainment growth strategy,” Rick Stringer, EVP, consumer experience, Crayola, said in a statement. “Crayola Experience is key to that strategy and an important representation of the Crayola brand as a family destination for interactive play.”
Crayola has no plans to open another Experience at this time in North Texas, it said, though it continues to look for and evaluate opportunities.
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