Business owners inside Temple, Texas mall optimistic as investment firm eyes property for purchase

TEMPLE, Texas (KWTX) – The Temple Mall could fall under new ownership if a Houston-based retail real estate investment firm moves forward with buying it.

Business owners inside the mall are hoping the building can take on a new life as word of the potential sale is on the table. One of them, Rob Brandenburg, says executives from RockStep Capital were recently in town getting a lay of the land.

“We found out because they paid a visit to the property and wanted to walk and look and understand some things that are going on,” says Brandenburg, the proud owner of three businesses inside the mall.

Andy Weiner, the president of RockStep, says they know the mall has had its challenges and he explained his motivation behind the potential purchase. “We have talked about what can be done to make Temple Mall better and something that’s long lasting and something that can be a source of pride for the community,” he says.

Weiner is familiar with the Temple area, calling it the perfect market for the potential change. His family has been making investments in properties across the country for decades, including their well-known storefront Weiner’s clothing retailer that was popular in the 1970s and 80s.

Brandenburg says in his 10 years inside the mall, no potential buyer has toured the property this early into the process. Until now. Which he says is promising.

“When we found out there were potential new buyers for the Temple mall, there was a lot of excitement there. There’s also that unknown that makes it a little bit nervous,” he says.

Brandenburg explained that tenants in the mall are helping keep the lights on and something desperately needs to change. “The tenants right now are on a united front paying for utilities, light bills, water bills, other outstanding balances to keep the mall going. And we take that out of our rent or whatever we have to do to make it work.”

As far as what happens next, Weiner says they are doing their due diligence and then they can start putting a plan into action. “It is something where we are taking away the interior corridor, the term is de-malling it, facing everybody out.”

Brandenburg urges you to continue coming to the mall, regardless, because most businesses inside are run by your neighbors. “That’s about all that’s left in there, for the most part. They appreciate your support more than you’ll ever know and they’re here to serve the community everyday,” he says.

KWTX reached out to the current owner about the potential sale, we have not heard back.

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