As the story goes, it was the end of Christmas season 2006. San Rafael City Manager Ken Nordhoff walked into Mayor Al Boro's office for a quick chat. "Been to the mall lately, Al?" The mayor nodded, knowingly, and sighed. "Not good, is it?" he replied.

At the time, Terra Linda's 40-year-old Northgate shopping center was looking rather neglected, garnering a reputation as the lowly stepsister to the livelier, more modern Village at Corte Madera and the Town Center Corte Madera. A revamped alliance with Northgate owner Macerich--the Santa Monica-based company that also owns and operates the Village at Corte Madera--and a major renovation project ensued. And 18 months later, community leaders, developers and retailers gathered on Nov. 13 to unveil Marin County's largest enclosed mall in all its redesigned glory.

The aesthetic changes to the mall's interior are dramatic. Huge, oversized glass doors and rolling walls of windows open to lush courtyards, a design element that Macerich says will "blur the boundaries between the indoors and the outdoors." Native Northern California plants in mammoth-sized pots decorate the center promenade. A triangulated skylight spans the length of the ceiling, bringing in an abundance of natural light, with rows of windows along each wall below that open to allow fresh air to circulate within the mall. A new outdoor gathering space called "Oak Plaza" has been created for community events, a sort of mini-park adorned with lots of oak trees and benches. Recycling bins adjacent to trash cans pepper the area. Macerich is even pursuing LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council in its redevelopment of the mall--a rarity among shopping centers.

But while Northgate's design has been modernized, much of the retail space awaits occupants--which is odd, considering recent weekend reports of packed parking lots. Possibly shoppers are swarming to the mall's department store anchors--Macy's, Sears and the newly opened Kohl's (in the former Mervyn's location). Perhaps the mobs of Twi-fans are filing in for the latest vamp saga, New Moon, at Century Theatres. Whatever the case may be, let's hope the packed lots are a good sign that Northgate could become a "premier destination" for the upcoming shopping season--or as Boro joked at the grand opening, increased sales-tax revenue. Granted, there are a few retailers and restaurants in place now, along with many planning to open soon.

The retailers currently open include Tilly's, Brow Art II, Children's Place, Claire's, GameStop, Gap, babyGap & GapKids, GNC, Gymboree, LensCrafters, Northgate Beauty, PacSun, Radio Shack, Regis Salon, Sheikh Shoes, Sole Desire, Sunglass Hut, T-Mobile, Proactive (a kiosk), US Bank, Vans, Dazzle Wireless Metro PCS, Visionary Opticians and Hot Topic.

Then everybody's favorite Swedish clothing chain, H&M, will be opening in early December; followed by the nail salon, Fingers and Toes/Faces and Places, as well as Northgate Jewelers and Verizon Wireless by the end of the month. In late winter/early spring 2010, expect the young-and-trendy fashions of Forever 21 and Buckle, along with sporty Foot Locker, affordable Payless Shoe Source and kids' shoe shop, Stride Rite.

On the mall's dining front, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse opened earlier this month, joining Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Gloria Jean's Coffees, See's Candies, and in the food court, pizza chain Sbarro, sandwich giant Subway and Chinese fast food Combo King. Bakery-cafe Panera Bread opens mid-December, followed by Wetzel's Pretzels; Berry Twist ice cream/yogurt shop opens in late winter/early spring 2010, along with the pizza, pasta and salads of Tomatina, as well as Great Steak & Potato Co., Peet's Coffee, Roadside BBQ and Shogun Fresh Japanese Grill.

As Macerich's vice president of development, Chuck Davis, said on Northgate's grand opening day, "Thanks for being patient. It only gets better from here."

Northgate, located at Los Ranchitos Road and Las Gallinas Avenue, is open from 10am to 8pm Monday through Thursday, 10am to 9pm Friday and Saturday, and 11am to 6pm Sunday. Extended holiday hours may vary; check www.shopatnorthgate.com for details.

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