Okemos - Fans of books and sports will soon have a few more reasons to shop at Meridian Mall.

The mall,1982 W. Grand River Ave., has completed the second part of its renovation and expansion.

Claudia Bleil, marketing director, said the entire project is almost completed.

“Meridian Mall is an older mall property that had been here for many years and over the years it would begin to grow out in different ways so the tile looked like a patchwork quilt,” she said.

Crews worked after hours, so as not to disturb shoppers, to complete the renovations, Bleil said.

Currently the mall has 150 businesses for shoppers to browse.

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc., bought the mall in 1998.

The company began working to renovate the building in 1999.

“We have totally renovated all the interior with all new ceilings, all new lighting,” Bleil said.

Bleil said CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. has been working to change the mall’s reputation.

“We have done a heck of a lot of growth, it has changed from the mall in Meridian to a regional shopping center,” she said.

Michael Lebovitz, senior vice president in charge of mall projects, said originally the mall had only J.C. Penney Co. Inc., Mervyn’s California Department Stores, Service Merchandise Co. and a movie theater as its anchors.

He said once the property was purchased the company immediately began to work on renovating the mall, and added Jacobson’s and a new food court.

But he said there is more to come.

Schuler Books is scheduled to move into the mall Oct. 31 and Galyan’s Trading Company, Inc., a sporting goods store, is opening next fall, Lebovitz said.

“We wanted Meridian Mall to be the number one shopping choice for this area,” he said.

The bookstore will include a coffee shop while the sporting goods store will have two floors with a 50 foot climbing wall.

But the new stores and renovations have not made the mall an overnight success.

“It is not easy. There is competition but I really think we were able to get some unique stores,” he said.

Lebovitz said the company has invested millions of dollars into the renovations and hopes that once the renovations are completed with the addition of Galyan’s Trading Company that the mall will have a large draw for shoppers.

David Zoba, executive vice president of Galyan’s Trading Company, Inc., said the company liked the area and were also happy with the proximity to MSU campus.

“It is for cities that like to do things that are out-of-doors,” he said.

Zoba said the area matches the type of lifestyle Galyan’s Trading Company, Inc. offers.

“When you walk into it, it is kind of a wild store, you’re seeing canoes, kayaks and a 50-foot climbing wall,” he said.