by Patricia Kirk | Urban Land Institute

Australia-based Westfield Group converted a former Sears store in Canoga Park, Calif., to Topanga Social, a 55,000-sf food hall that features more than 25 vendors and seats nearly 800 diners. “The whole idea of putting in entertainment is to attract families and extend their visit—eat, maybe see a movie, and then shop,” said Latella, noting that entertainment facilitates cross-shopping opportunities, and the longer people stay, the more they spend.