Westland Mall management team wins Everest Award

WEST BURLINGTON, IA ---- The entire staff at Westland Mall has received the 2007 Everest Award from GK Development, Inc., owner of the shopping center.

          In presenting the award, GK recognized the property team’s transformation of the former Santa holiday display from a tired, faded scene to a brightly rejuvenated Santa’s Wilderness Retreat that was constructed entirely in-house.

          “The team effort brought together operations, marketing and management from the property and GK’s corporate offices to achieve a common goal within a cost structure that positively impacted the shopping center’s business, “ said RaeAnn Derrick, vice president-operations for GK Development.  "Through creativity and commitment, the team met and surpassed all requirements, readily achieving our goals.”

          Upon choosing a log cabin theme, the team created look-alike river rocks and wooden logs that were durable, lightweight and cost effective. The final product is modular in design, so it can easily be stored.

          Team members also hand crafted the snow that surrounds Santa’s cabin, and rejuvenated the display characters and decorations.  The end result was a refurbished log cabin styled holiday display that offered a front porch for Santa’s relaxation, a frisky squirrel nabbing pinecones, and a front yard inhabited by animated lumberjack elves, a family of deer, and a woodland rabbit peering from holiday decorated trees.

          Westland Mall is home to Younkers, JCPenney and more than 50 specialty stores and services. The shopping center is located at 550 South Gear Avenue, West Burlington, Iowa.

Westland Mall is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.  

Westland Mall supports the community with multiple programs throughout the year.  Past activities include: Malls 4 Schools, Give Our Troops A Hand, Holiday Blanket Drive, and Kiwanis Coats for Tots Program.  Visit www.westlandmall.net for store and event information.

The regional mall is owned by GK Development, Inc.

About GK Development, Inc.

GK Development acquires, re-develops, manages and leases well-located properties in growing markets.  The Barrington, Illinois-based company owns 5 million square feet of space located in nine states. The company was founded in 1995.  For more information visit www.gkdevelopment.com.