Jan. 6--JANESVILLE -- Despite the slowing economy, the Janesville Mall has announced new stores and expansion by existing stores.

And General Manager Jodi Settersten-Coyer said the mall hopes to announce additional national retailers locating there in the coming months.

-- Zumiez, a new store that sells "cutting-edge clothing styles," music and hard goods for skate, snow, surf and active young lifestyles, will take over the former Wilson's Leather space.

Construction will start next month, and the store is scheduled to open by April, according to a news release from the Janesville Mall, 2500 Milton Ave.

The deal had been in the works for more than a year, Settersten-Coyer said. The store provides a fresh perspective and is a niche retailer, specializing in snowboarding/skateboarding lifestyle, she said.

-- K-Alterations, a tailor and alterations shop, will open in late January in the former Always Travel space near Diamond Dave's.

-- The Buckle, located near Sears, will renovate and expand its store by taking over the old Carlton Cards space. While under construction, the store will be open in a temporary space also located near Sears.

Construction is scheduled to start next month, and the store plans to open in its new space in June or July.

The Buckle offers a "wide selection of brand name and private label casual apparel."

-- Victoria's Secret will renovate and expand by 1,700 square feet into the space occupied by Gymboree, which will close at the end of the month. While under construction, the store will open in a temporary location near Kohl's.

Construction is scheduled to start next month, and the store plans to reopen in its new space in July. Once complete, Victoria's Secret will carry a full line of its beauty products.

The expansions for both Victoria's Secret and The Buckle are possible because both are national retailers "that are still weathering this down economic time quite well," Settersten-Coyer said.

The national chains periodically freshen up their retail look, and that's what both stores are doing, she said.

Retailers need to take a fresh look at their business during these tough economic times and how much to spend on construction, Settersten-Coyer said.

"But it's certainly not a time to give up either," she said. "We still have to make plans for when this economic downturn, recession, whatever you call it, turns around. ... I think these retailers are doing that."

-- Two other stores opened in October--Justice Just for Girls, a fashion store for "tween" girls, and Kobe Japanese, a Japanese restaurant.

-- University Book Store expanded by 1,500 square feet last year and relocated near the food court.

The mall changes are part of a normal cycle, Settersten-Coyer said.

"We're definitely moving in the right direction," she said.

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