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Read the press release here.

Bushwick Shopper's World to Be Replaced With Mini-Mall

By Serena Dai | September 11, 2015 9:50am | Updated on September 14, 2015 8:47am
 Shoppers World, at 399 Knickerbocker Ave., is closing after losing its lease.
Shoppers World, at 399 Knickerbocker Ave., is closing after losing its lease.
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DNAinfo/Serena Dai

BUSHWICK — A massive Shoppers World on Knickerbocker Avenue is shutting down as the property owner aims to transform it into a mini-mall with as many as six retailers.

The discount clothing retailer at 399 Knickerbocker Ave., which takes over most of the more than 37,000-square-foot building, will be closing after losing its lease, according to signs on the store.

Building owner Jenel Management plans to renovate the property, turning it into a three-story commercial property with space for up to six retailers, according to Department of Buildings filings.

The first floor would be transformed into a lobby and three retail stores, according to filings.

The second floor would have room for two retailers, and the third floor would have room for one retailer, the plan shows.

Renovations are estimated to cost $5.4 million, according to city records.

The proposal, which requires partial demolition and a slight horizontal enlargement of the building, is still pending zoning approval from the city.

Shoppers World also has a smaller location across the street, at 422 Knickerbocker Ave. A manager at the store that's closing was unavailable for comment.

All items at 399 Knickerbocker are priced at 30 percent off.

Jenel's plan for a building with room for multiple retailers would fit in on Knickerbocker Ave., considering the strip's make-up.

Many buildings along the corridor have several stories of commercial space, with dentists, restaurants, discount apparel, dollar stores and small accessories shops making up the bulk of the shopping.

But it's also not unusual for developers in trendier, more expensive commercial areas of North Brooklyn to maximize commercial space by dividing one property up into a shopping center of sorts.

In Williamsburg, a shopping center at 218 Bedford Ave. is home to retailers like Spoonbill and Sugartown bookstore, Brooklyn Fox Lingerie and Verameat.

The Bushwick and Williamsburg border has the Shops at The Loom, at 1087 Flushing Ave., with spots like Loom Yoga, coffee shop Kave and North Brooklyn Cycles.

And a new commercial development planned for 99 Scott Ave. will be a collection of "creative businesses" in one space, the developer previously told DNAinfo. A winery, a large beer garden and design offices are all in the works there.

Jenel Management, which has properties across the country, did not respond to request for comment on what kind of tenants they are seeking.

Their clients include Barney's department store, Walgreens, CVS, Starbucks, Urban Outfitters, and Sunglass Hut.