As the Christiana Mall ramps up for the holiday shopping season, a few long-anticipated businesses are preparing to make their Delaware debuts.
Here’s what’s new and what’s coming soon to Delaware’s largest shopping destination.
Tommy’s Tavern + Tap and Tio Taco + Tequila Bar
Tommy’s Tavern + Tap and Tio Taco + Tequila Bar are scheduled to open this fall.
Andrea Bonfiglio-Spence, a member of the family behind the new restaurants, estimated Tommy’s Tavern + Tap will open in early November and Tio Taco + Tequila Bar will open in early December. Tommy’s is taking over the former JB Dawson’s between Macy’s and Nordstrom and Tio is taking over the former California Pizza Kitchen next door.
Bonfiglio-Spence is the chief marketing officer of Triple T Hospitality Group, which is one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing restaurant groups. Triple T entered the pandemic with three restaurants. They now have 11 in New Jersey and New York and plans for several more.
Tommy’s was the first concept. It’s an upscale sports bar with an extensive menu of burgers, sandwiches, salads, coal-fired pizzas and even sushi to appeal to families and groups of friends. There’s also a long list of craft beers served from a wrap around bar loaded with TVs.
“The neighborhood feel is something we pride ourselves on,” Bonfiglio-Spence said.
Triple T introduced Tio in the middle of the pandemic. Bonfiglio-Spence described it as a “modern flare” on Mexican cuisine. In addition to tacos and faijtas, the menu features a variety of margaritas, cocktails and, of course, tequilas.
Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty
Earlier this year, Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty lingerie line posted on social media that Delaware would be the site of one of six new stores.
At the time, the brand did not comment on the specific location of the store, but it’s now included on the Christiana Mall’s website on a list of stores coming soon.
It’s unclear where in the mall Savage X Fenty will be located and when it will open. The company could not be reached for comment.
There are only five existing Savage X Fenty stores in the country. The nearest store is in the King of Prussia Mall.
Savage X Fenty launched online in 2018 and has since hosted a number of large-scale fashion shows and pop-up shops to grow its brand. The existing brick-and-mortar stores feature slick displays and modern, multi-colored lighting. The brand has become known for its inclusivity — it offers a wide range of sizes for all genders and backgrounds and promotes body-positive messaging.
Rihanna also founded the Fenty beauty line in 2017. Savage X Fenty is her joint venture with California-based TechStyle Fashion Group.
Hollister and Gilly Hicks
Hollister and Gilly Hicks replaced the Abercrombie & Fitch and Abercrombie Kids stores between Macy’s and J.C. Penney. All of the brands belong to the same parent company.
Hollister sells California-inspired clothes geared toward teens. Gilly Hicks is an underwear, loungewear and activewear brand resurrected by the company in 2017.
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CS Brazilian Steakhouse
Although not in the mall itself, Churrascaria Saudades, an all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse, has moved to the former Don Pablo’s next door to the mall near Costco. It’s taken the shortened name CS Brazilian Steakhouse.
The restaurant originally opened in 2016 in the Newark shopping center. It reopened in the Don Pablo’s building at the end of September.
CS offers Brazilian meats, most commonly beef, pork and chicken, roasted over an open fire by Gaucho chefs and served tableside from skewers. The full dinner experience ($59) also includes a salad bar and dessert menu.
Others
- Radcliffe Jewelers is taking the remainder of the space vacated by Anthropologie next to a new Lululemon store. It is slated to open this fall.
- Real Fruit Bubble Tea is coming to the Target wing in the fall.
- Haagen-Dazs is returning to the Christiana Mall on Nov. 1, according to owner Jim Henry. Henry in June opened a Haagen-Dazs on Middletown’s Main Street.
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Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @holveck_brandon.
