Sun Plaza Shops Face Mandatory Move-Out Amid Redevelopment

Unanticipated redevelopment at Sun Plaza forces closures and relocations, impacting longtime businesses.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A portion of Sun Plaza Shopping Center is about to change as they redevelop the area — but for businesses along this strip, that change will be life-changing.

James Buhidar has owned Trophyland for 16 years, but now he is preparing to close the same doors his aunt and uncle opened 40 years ago–in just two weeks.

“I’m not gonna get emotional. The next day when I came to the store, after I heard the news the day before, it was, you know, when I walked in, it was like totally different, it’s like, wow,” Buhidar said. “But the days have gotten better. I can walk in the store now without getting emotional but it was tough.”

Buhidar said this news was unexpected just as a few week ago they were celebrating.

“A few weeks before we got the news, you know city’s mayor’s secretary called and told us that they wanted to recognize us for an merit award for being in business for over 40 years, like a longevity award. So we went to City Hall, met the mayor and got our certificate.”

Trophyland will be relocating to the Cross Winds Shopping Center.

“Officially we’re closing our doors the 26th. That’s when the movers are coming in. So I guess our doors will still be open till the 23rd,” Buhidar said.

Buhidar hopes they’ll reopen at the new location on the first week of February.

Down the strip, is Quasars Arcade.

Employee Armando Lopez said the arcade has served as a gathering spot for the community and news of the closure has left many heartbroken.

“Many of our community members are sad that we have to close down and relocate. A lot of them come through here every single day. We have people that love coming through playing our arcade cabs, the fighting games, pinball machines,” Lopez said.

But Lopez said this isn’t the end for Quasars.

“We do know that relocation is going to happen. It’s gonna take some time, roughly 8 to 10 months,” Lopez said.

But not all businesses will be able to do the same.

“It’s sad for everybody but that’s what it is,” Cecilio Jimenez said.

After 33 years, Clippers Salon owners Melba and Cecilio Jimenez say they’ll be retiring—closing their doors for good.

“Well it’s been our life for all these years. All this, we know a lot of people, we have relationships with our customers and with the people that work here,” Jimenez said.

A redevelopment promising something new — but marking the end of an era for many longtime businesses that helped shape this community.

Businesses must move out of the Sun Plaza by the end of the month. 3NEWS will keep you updated on the latest developments regarding the shopping center’s future.

Sun Plaza Shops Face Mandatory Move-Out Amid Redevelopment

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