One by one, 63 businesses have left the Warrenton Outlet Center, but a local leasing agent hopes the opening of Fastenal will be the beginning of the mall’s revitalization.Fastenal, a company that sells nuts, bolts, fasteners and other hardware, will open at the outlet center next week.Frank Van Dyne, a commercial leasing executive, recently was hired by the center’s current owners in Las Vegas to fervently seek out new tenants for the ailing complex.The 30-acre center was purchased for $875,000 by the company in January.Van Dyne said he has sought out many national brand retail chains, but found they rely heavily on specific public demographics that Warrenton fails to meet.“I’ve been beating the bushes trying to get some national retailers,” he said. “They are looking for 60,000 to 100,000 people in an area of five, seven, 10 or even 15 square miles. Even some of the smaller ones require 50,000 employed people within a three-mile radius.”Van Dyne said he has been looking for more local chains or businesses looking to expand and is even actively pursuing a sporting goods chain that has traditionally been confined to the Pacific Northwest, but is considering going national with its franchise.He also is looking at a couple of barbecue restaurants in the Kansas City area.Leasing space to businesses could take time, however, he said.“It’s not like leasing an apartment to somebody and they just move right in,” he said. “Businesses that are opening new locations have already selected space for this year. We might not see any move in to the center until next year.”What People WantVan Dyne said he has anonymously stood in line at local retailers, casually polling people about what kinds of new businesses they think are needed in the area.“When (MoDOT) widened Highway 47, McDonald’s and Burger King had to do away with indoor play areas and shrink their dining rooms,” he said. “They said they didn’t think Warrenton was family friendly. When it’s too hot or too cold, kids have no place to go.”Van Dyne said some people he has spoken with have told him they have rented hotel rooms for kids’ parties and other events because there is no other space available. He said he is looking for a family-friendly restaurant that has arcade games and room for parties.ObstaclesThere are a couple of downsides to the center that makes it a challenge to fill space, Van Dyne said.One of those is accessibility because although it is highly visible from Interstate 70, there is only one interchange in Warrenton and people coming westbound would have to double back or exit at Jonesburg and drive several miles on the south service road to access it.Original plans for a second I-70 interchange at Warrenton, which in in its infancy of planning stages, had put the exit closer to the center, he said, but newer plans will move it more than a mile away.Another stumbling block is that some businesses require loading docks, and the center does not have them.Selling PointsThe Warrenton Outlet Center has potential despite its shortcomings, Van Dyne said.“Since May 6 our daily vehicle count (into the center) has been an average of 201 per day, which is a 15 percent increase,” he said. “Days of 300 (cars) have increased since I’ve been here.”Van Dyne said the visibility from the interstate also is a strong selling point.“It shows really good at night,” he said. “And I’ve offered free signage for six months to perspective tenants.”Van Dyne, who has an extensive business background, said he has an excellent business model and would make himself available to tenants to help with marketing and advertising strategies.“When you come in, I’m here,” he said. “All my background and skills are available for you to use. I’ll make myself highly accessible to you.”Another selling point, Van Dyne said, is that it is in the direct route of travelers, nestled between St. Louis and the Ozarks.Although some people in the area think the center is completely shut down, Van Dyne said, it is still a stopping point for travelers, even those who live out-of-state.“They are still coming here,” he said. “People even use it as an exchange point for grandparents getting kids for a summer stay.”

OPENING SOON- Fastenal, a chain that sells nuts, bolts, fasteners and other hardware, is slated to open within a week at the Warrenton Outlet Center.