MASSENA — If all goes according to plan, Dick’s Sporting Goods could be opening its doors at the St. Lawrence Centre mall in the near future.

“They’re talking and it’s looking good,” St. Lawrence Centre Marketing Manager Ronald J. Patnode said. “But there isn’t a deal at this time.”

Mr. Patnode said negotiations are done through the mall’s leasing group, Spinosa Realty.

While the rumor of a Dick’s coming to Massena has been circulating for months, Mr. Patnode said, no deal has been finalized at this point.

“Until we have a signed agreement, we can’t make any official announcement,” he said.

If an agreement is signed, Mr. Patnode said, it’s his understanding that Dick’s would occupy the former T.J. Maxx space.

“It would be expanded. The space they’re looking for is larger than T.J. Maxx,” he said. “To accommodate them, we would extend out to the mall’s common area.”

He also said an exterior entrance would be built before the store opens.

“We’re as excited and anxious as anyone to want to see this come to fruition,” he said.

Another rumored potential tenant for the mall is Kohl’s, and Mr. Patnode confirmed that mall officials are talking to that retailer as well.

“Kohl’s is one of a few other national retailers that the mall is courting,” he said, adding at this point the mall is simply talking to Kohl’s.

Retailers in the mall said they’ve heard the rumors about Dick’s and are hoping they’re true.

“It would be nothing but positive news,” said Fred Englert, who co-owns Sherry and Fred’s Newsstand. “Anything to increase foot traffic is good and they’re the perfect fit for this mall.”

Linda Dalton owns and operates the Mustard Tin and said she thinks a store the caliber of Dick’s coming to the mall would be good news for everyone.

“It would bring more people in,” she said, adding she thinks traffic from both Canadian and American shoppers would increase. “Right now people drive to Watertown or Plattsburgh to go to Dick’s.”

Ms. Dalton also said she thinks the store could provide a boost to the entire mall and lead to more stores coming as well.

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