NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
Several Donelson businesses are anxiously waiting the reopening of the revitalized Opry Mills Mall.
The mall has been closed since the historic flood of May 2010 and its reopening undoubtedly have a ripple effect on the area's economy.
Lisa Neidert has been bartending at the Music Valley Drive restaurant Scoreboard for the last six years.
She told Nashville's News 2 her daily tips dropped to nearly half the amount following the closure of the mall but it's already started to turn around.
"We were getting some business, but I know it will be a lot busier once Opry Mills opens," she said, adding, "Actually it's started [to] pick up and I think it's from the workers from Opry Mills."
Ray Lackey and his coworkers are in town for two months working on the shopping center.
He said they have dined at Scoreboard several times.
"It's just right across the street and they have good food here so we come here quite a bit," Lackey said.
Workers such as Lackey have packed the shopping center's parking lot. They will soon be replaced with tourists.
"The retailers are starting to take over now, so we are kind of getting shoved out," Lackey joked.
Lackey said he will likely come back to Music City after his work is complete.
"I think it is a tourist's draw with the mall being open. I think that everybody is going to benefit from that," he said.
Other already existing retailers in the area said they are also looking forward to the additional foot traffic.
The full 1.2 million square foot mall opens Thursday morning at 9 a.m.
Related Stories:
- March 27, 2012: Chuy's opens at Opry Mills Mall
- March 20, 2012: Josh Turner to headline Opry Mills grand reopening celebration
- Feb. 16, 2012: Opry Mills announces additional stores opening next month
- Feb. 6, 2012: Opry Mills to host job fair Tuesday
- Jan. 27, 2012: 60-plus stores to return, open at Opry Mills
- Jan. 16, 2012: Chuy's to open at Opry Mills Mall
- Jan. 8, 2012: Opry Mills stores hiring for reopening
- Nov. 28, 2011: Dave & Busters reopens at flooded mall
- Nov. 18, 2011: Opry Mills moviegoers raise $56K-plus for charity
- Nov. 14, 2011: Regal Cinemas reopens at flooded Opry Mills Mall
- Nov. 10, 2011: 3 stores, movie theater to reopen at flooded Opry Mills
- Oct. 24, 2011: Movie theater at Opry Mills to reopen in Nov.
- April 12, 2011: Opry Mills Mall to reopen in spring 2012
- April 11, 2010: Future of Opry Mills Mall to be announced Tuesday
- Dec. 23, 2010: Off Broadway Shoes applies for rebuilding permit at Opry Mills
- Nov. 15, 2010: Repairs on Opry Mills Mall shut down
- Sept. 18, 2010: Bass Pro Shops reopens at Opry Mills
- Sept. 15, 2010: Opry Mills lawsuit concerns city, shoppers, employees
- Sept. 15, 2010: Bass Pro Shops ready to reopen doors this weekend
- Sept. 14, 2010: Opry Mills sues to enforce insurance coverage
- Aug. 16, 2010: No timeline set for Opry Mills reopening
- May 20, 2010: Opry Mills Mall shows clean up progress
- May 11, 2010: Opry Mills to remain closed
