Can Muncie Mall survive the loss of anchor stores?

The Anderson mall, built in 1965 — making it five years older than Muncie Mall — died a slow death, losing anchor stores and smaller retailers, for several years. The mall outright closed in April.

Now all that remains is a movie theater at the back of the mall and empty stores.

Will the mall find replacements for Carson's and Sears and Best Buy Mobile, another store at the mall's center court that closed recently? Can JCPenney and Macy's, the remaining anchors, keep the mall afloat?

The Star Press contacted representatives of Muncie Mall owner Washington Prime Group three times to ask about its plans for the future, including the spots soon to be vacated by Sears and Carson's. A representative promised answers but never delivered.

In the meantime, red-and-black-and-yellow "Going Out of Business" signs and banners are posted throughout Carson's and Sears and "sign shakers," people holding "going-out-of-business" signs, dot the perimeter of the mall property.