The exterior of the new Buffalo Wild Wings is seen in what used to be the main entrance for Star Cinemas at The Shops at Lake Havasu. The main entrance for Star Cinemas is now a northern side door. Greg Moberly
LAKE HAVASU CITY — When Buffalo Wild Wings opened inside Star Cinemas at The Shops at Lake Havasu last September it became the first of its kind, but also another key part of efforts to make The Shops a vital destination.
It’s the only Buffalo Wild Wings to be located inside a movie theater. That wasn’t a happy accident for Jarrett Portz, owner of The Shops, who has worked intentionally to bring a mix of retail, entertainment, restaurant, medical and residential options to the location. He and individual business owners at The Shops want patrons to consider visiting The Shops for more than one reason.
“Since opening, Buffalo Wild Wings has performed well and has helped change how guests experience the property,” Portz said in a statement. “We’re seeing more intentional visits where people are combining dinner, drinks, and a movie into one outing.”
When The Shops at Lake Havasu opened in the middle of the Great Recession in 2008 it struggled. Many store fronts sat vacant for more than a decade and visitors might come to visit the location only to shop at Walmart or to see a movie at Star Cinemas for example. But Portz stepped in as a new owner with a strategic plan to get diverse options that would get people coming to The Shops and staying to make multiple stops
“Our long-term focus has always been on creating a destination that blends entertainment, medical, shopping, and a true work/play/live environment — not just a traditional retail center,” Portz said. “Buffalo Wild Wings has been a strong addition to that vision and has contributed positively to the overall momentum at The Shops.”
Portz has no plans to slow down his efforts at The Shops’ with plans to bring more activity and events to that side of town.
“We have the parking, space, and flexibility to host community-driven events, and we want to lean into that opportunity,” Portz said.
An upcoming mixed-use housing initiative designed to help address the need for workforce housing also is planned for The Shops. The project is expected to transform underutilized space at The Shops into modern apartment homes near jobs, amenities, and entertainment. Portz said the development will focusing on serving the “missing middle” while delivering “high-quality housing at below-market rates.”
Other plans for The Shops include: Splitfinger Athletics, an indoor training facility and gym, which is expected to open later this month or in early March.
On the whole, Portz said, customers have responded very positively to the evolving entertainment concepts at The Shops.
“We’re actively working on Phase 2 plans that include expanded gaming, laser tag, and multipurpose theater spaces as we continue to grow The Shops into a true destination for the community,” Portz said.
Altitude, an indoor trampoline park, and Convergence Health, an outpatient surgery center, are among the new additions to The Shops at Lake Havasu in recent years.
Greg Moberly
