Aug. 28--A trio of new stores scheduled to open soon in Mentor will avail area residents with more options for the holiday shopping season and beyond.

The Shoppes of Mentor, situated on Mentor Avenue east of Creekside Commons near Mentor's eastern border, is the city's latest addition to its plethora of shopping destinations.

Justice, Lane Bryant and Ulta will be the latest retail stores added to the growing retail locale, which includes Kohl's and Dick's Sporting Goods (both in Creekside Commons) and fellow Shoppes of Mentor tenants Target and Chick-fil-A. Projected opening dates for the new stores are set for October.

Chris McFarland is the director of leasing for LRC Development, the company responsible for building the strip.

"We knew there was a need there. We found the land and purchased it," McFarland said. "We did have a relationship with Target." He added that nearby stores were top performers, lending to the area's desirability.

"I think this was the first [LRC Development] project in the city of Mentor.

They did things the right way. We had meetings up front, we worked well together," McFarland said.

Ulta, based in Bolingbrook, Ill., is a chain of makeup and hair supply stores and salons in the U.S. It is the largest of the three shops.

The beauty aid establishment carries a variety of cosmetics, skin care and professionally licensed hair-care products, as well as common drugstore brands.

The new Lane Bryant store, which is scheduled to open Oct. 31, will be an alternative for those who already frequent their Great Lakes Mall location.

It is the nation's leading women's plus-size specialty apparel retailer, according to information from parent company, Pennsylvania-based Charming Shoppes Inc.

Justice, a division of Tween Brands Inc., caters to girls in the 7-to-14 age group. The store is set to open Oct. 7, according to Julie Sloat, vice president of investor relations.

The Mentor Justice store joins other locations at Westgate in Fairview Park and Legacy Village in Lyndhurst. There are 17 stores throughout Ohio.

Limited Too also is under the Tween Brands Inc. umbrella. Sloat said the cost of merchandise at Justice will typically be 20 percent to 25 percent lower than that at Limited Too.

She added that part of the company's strategy is to "collapse" the Limited Too locales, revamping them to carry the Justice name and merchandise.

Ron Traub, director of economic development in Mentor, said he's pleased with the addition of more retail businesses in the city.

"It was the availability of the real estate that enabled the developer to proceed with acquisition and development," he said. "Target has a unique draw."

In reference to the overall shopping status of Mentor, Traub said Mentor is ranked sixth in Ohio in terms of retail sales.

"On a case-by-case basis, we're undergoing redevelopment. During my tenure with the city, sites have gone through second and third redevelopments," he said.

Regarding the Great Lakes Mall he said, "We're interested in the mall's economic health, and we remain focused on it."

New businesses are being developed in the Diamond Center area off of Heisley Road. A Hampton Inn and Value Place will add lodging options for residents and visitors.

Other new construction in the form of a lifestyle center is being discussed for Newell Creek off state Route 84.

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