THE ART OF SHOPPING EXPANDS AT LA PALMERA WITH NEW MURAL

March 23 unveiling of “From Our Generation to Yours” created by local senior citizens

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (March 15, 2024) – As home to a variety of public art created by local talent of all ages, The Art of Shopping collection at La Palmera is expanding with the unveiling of its largest mural to date.

Created by approximately 80 local seniors ranging in age from 55 to 95 as part of the K Space Senior Outreach Program, “From Our Generation to Yours” will be unveiled on Saturday, March 23, at 10 a.m. Designed by local artists Monica Marie Garcia and Mayra Zamora who have designed other La Palmera murals in conjunction with the K Space Contemporary Summer Mural Arts Program, the new brightly colored 150-foot-long mural featuring celestial images will be installed on a wall in the parking area adjacent to Mall Shoe Service and the parking garage.

“We have been working with K Space and local artists since 2018 to develop and create original wall art for the mall,” said La Palmera General Manager Amanda Sanchez. “The murals are as unique as the many artists who created them and you’ll often see our guests using them as photo backdrops. We are proud to showcase the amazing talent we have here in the Coastal Bend and provide our guests another reason to visit La Palmera.”

Since 2018, six murals have been painted in various locations throughout and around the mall including four painted by K Space Summer Mural Arts Program students: “Greetings from La Palmera” (2018), reminiscent of a traditional, travel postcard, and “Be…” (2018), a larger-than-life butterfly with encouraging words of self-worth, both located just inside the upper-level entrance; “Peace, Love, and Unity” (2019), a three-panel piece with unifying imagery and messaging in the hallway adjacent to Dave & Buster’s; and “Waves of the Future” (2021), featuring student-designed work, located on the exterior sky bridge walls of the upper-level parking garage mall entrance. Local artists have also contributed work, including Jason Juranek’s mural depicting iconic Corpus Christi culture, located inside the mall entrance adjacent to LongHorn Steakhouse, and “The Palms of Palmera” (2021), a colorful abstract sunset and silhouetted palm trees mural by Cam Walls, located adjacent to the upper-level mall management office.

As the oldest alternative art space in the Coastal Bend, K Space is a popular non-profit organization dedicated to presenting and promoting contemporary art and providing a forum for emerging and mid-career artists whose works are experimental, non-commercial, or difficult to exhibit due to unusual installation requirements or site-specific ideas.

For more information, go to lapalmera.com, follow us on Facebook, or call (361) 991-3755.

EASTER BUNNY ON HIS WAY TO LA PALMERA

Photos with Bunny begin Feb. 18 

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Feb. 15, 2024) –Easter Sunday is March 31 and the Easter Bunny will soon arrive at La Palmera.

Photos with Bunny, presented by The Children’s Center of Corpus Christi, will be available Sunday, Feb. 18, through Saturday, March 30, in Center Court during mall hours. Mrs. Bunny will also be available for photos on weekends as well as during Pet Night with Bunny and Quiet Time with Bunny events.

Six Pet Night with Bunny events are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday evenings, Feb. 28 and 29, March 6 and 7, and again on March 13 and 14, from 5–8 p.m. Only dogs and cats are permitted, and all animals must remain on a leash or in a carrier at all times.

Walk-ups for photos are always welcome, but those who would like to shorten their wait time can go online to lapalmera.com for an LP SnapPass allowing them to reserve a specific time. Packages start at $25.99 with other keepsake items available for purchase.

Guests can once again take advantage of Quiet Time with Bunny events, providing sensory-friendly one-on-one time for special needs children to have photos taken with the Easter Bunny. The events are scheduled for Sunday, March 3, 10 and 17, from 9–11 a.m. before mall opening — no fountain, no background music, no crowds — providing extra visit time for those who may have developmental or physical challenges. Visit lapalmera.com for more information and to reserve a time.

Other popular events are also returning, including Bingo with Bunny on Feb. 27 and March 19, and the Golden Egg Hunt scheduled for March 21. For more information, go to lapalmera.com, follow us on Facebook, or call (361) 991-3755.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS READY TO ROLL AT LA PALMERA

Shoppers, local organizations and community members benefit from seasonal programs  

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Nov. 15, 2023) – Marked by the annual arrival of Santa, the holidays are now underway at La Palmera with a full slate of seasonal events and services.

Boys and girls are invited to stop by for Photos with Santa, presented by Apollo Towing, every day through Dec. 24 in Center Court. Walk-ups are welcome, but guests can skip the line by making a reservation for an LP SnapPass available online at lapalmera.com. Photo packages start at $34.95 with other keepsake items available for purchase.

Pet Night with Santa also returns for six nights beginning in November. Guests may bring their favorite fur baby on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, Nov. 29 and 30, and Dec. 6, and 7, and 13 and 14 from 5:30–8:30 p.m. in Center Court. Local animal organizations on hand to provide information each evening include Mission Pawsible Animal Assistance of Corpus Christi (11/29–11/30), Gulf Coast Humane Society (12/6–12/7), and Kanines & Kitties (12/13–12/14). Pet owners can walk up or reserve a photo time by booking an LP SnapPass online at lapalmera.com. Only dogs and cats are permitted and all animals must remain on a leash or in a carrier at all times. 

Shoppers can take advantage of La Palmera’s charity gift-wrapping service every Friday through Sunday beginning Nov. 24, plus the full week leading up to Christmas. The gift–wrapping station is located on the Main Level near Concierge where volunteers from local charities will provide their wrapping services for donations each day from noon–6 p.m. Participating charities this year include YMCA of the Coastal Bend (11/24–11/26), Burn Pits 360 Veterans Organization (12/1–12/3), School of Science & Technology (12/8–12/10), Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation (12/15–12/17), Nueces County for Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities (NCMHID) (12/18–12/20), CASA of the Coastal Bend (12/21–12/22), and Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center (12/23 – 12/24).

Quiet Time with Santa returns, providing an opportunity for those with developmental or physical challenges and their families to enjoy a visit with Santa in a sensory-friendly environment before the mall opens — no background music, no crowds. Scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 26, Dec. 3 and 10, from 9–11 a.m., reservations are required and can be made online by going to lapalmera.com.

Although some shoppers will get an early start on gift buying this year, some traditionally wait until Black Friday. The mall will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, and will officially reopen at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 24, kicking off extended holiday shopping hours. Some stores likely will plan to open even earlier for Black Friday events. Shoppers will be able to access department stores directly through each store’s outer doors, while mall doors will open at 7 a.m. for access to select interior stores planning to open early that day.

Shoppers will see the Salvation Army bell ringers stationed in their traditional locations at select mall entrances, and shoppers can also help local children in need by “adopting” them from the Angel Tree located at Concierge. The tree is decorated with children’s names and their wish lists, including items such as toys, clothes, shoes, and more for shoppers to purchase. Each year, The Salvation Army of the Coastal Bend helps provide Christmas gifts to more than 1,300 local children.

LULULEMON NOW OPEN AT LA PALMERA

First Corpus Christi location for the popular brand ready for holiday shoppers

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Nov. 10, 2023) – Fitness favorite lululemon is now open at La Palmera.

Located on Center Court adjacent to American Eagle, the 6,350-square-foot store hosted a morning yoga session to officially mark the opening of their first Corpus Christi location.

A brand that stands for well-being, the new store features lululemon’s innovative products for yoga, running, and training, as well as other athletic endeavors such as golf, tennis, hiking, and more. Guests will also have the opportunity to discover the brand’s immersive offerings, including access to tools, resources, and community events for connection, growth, and empowerment.

Construction also continues on Palenque Grill, the 8,760-square-foot casual dining table service restaurant located adjacent to Dave & Buster’s, as well as the fast-service Taco Palenque located near Firestone. Both locations are slated to open this year.

LA PALMERA PLANNING RED CARPET ARRIVAL FOR SANTA

Lights, Camera, Santa!, presented by Apollo Towing, marks
official start of the Coastal Bend holiday season  

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Oct. 30, 2023) — La Palmera will officially kick off the holiday shopping season on Nov. 9 with Lights, Camera, Santa!, presented by Apollo Towing, complete with a red-carpet arrival befitting a Hollywood premiere. 

Thousands of guests are expected once again to attend the free, family-friendly events throughout the mall from 5–8 p.m., including live music and entertainment, events, and special activities.

Lights, Camera, Santa!, presented by Apollo Towing, kicks off at 5 p.m. with a star-studded procession of beloved animated and action film characters, arriving at the mall’s main entrance and walking the red carpet as they prepare for an evening of performances and photo ops with guests. Preceded by the King High School marching band, Santa will be the final arrival of the evening, walking the red carpet and then heading to Center Court to begin his annual photos with boys and girls.   

"La Palmera is proud to host the official kick-off to the holidays here in the Coastal Bend every year since 2008,” said Amanda Sanchez, La Palmera general manager. “Each year, we try to create something fun and exciting for the thousands of guests in attendance and this year’s event will be no exception. It’s going to be an evening of fun featuring film-themed characters and performers along with the star of the show, Santa himself.”

Guests of all ages will find plenty to do throughout the mall all evening long, including:

CENTER COURT

·       Photos with Santa, presented by Apollo Towing

·       Music with DJ Johnny Hotcakes

·       Photo ops with a princess and a witch from under the sea, and holiday-themed stilt walkers

LA PALMERA CAFÉS FOOD COURT

·       A special game show with everyone’s favorite “green meanie”

·       Local performers, including Los Mariachis

JCPENNEY STAGE

·       Character shows featuring a top-hatted candy maker and two sisters sharing their family’s magic, as well as local performers

·       Face Painting

LOWER LEVEL

·       Photo ops with everyone’s favorite web-slinger, a truly marvelous captain, a band of pizza-loving crime fighters, and the elf who didn’t want to grow up

TRANSITION COURT ESCALATORS (both levels)

·       Balloon Twisters

UPPER LEVEL

·       Photo ops with characters from a galaxy far, far away  

·       Arts and Crafts with K Space Contemporary (while supplies last)

·       Face painting

*All scheduled entertainment subject to change.

Photos with Santa, presented by Apollo Towing, will be available by reservation or walk-up during mall hours, beginning the evening of Nov. 9 through Sunday, Dec. 24. Photo packages start at $34.95 with other items available for purchase. Reserved photo times will be available with a SnapPass, which can be booked online at lapalmera.com.

FUN WITH THE SUN AT LA PALMERA SOLAR ECLIPSE PARTY

Oct. 14 event includes free activities, music, giveaway
plus solar swag bags for the first 100 guests   

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Sept. 28, 2023) – La Palmera will host a Solar Eclipse Party, on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m., celebrating the annular, or “ring of fire,” solar eclipse scheduled to occur just before noon that day.

The party will take place inside the mall on the Upper Level where guests will enjoy free family-friendly activities, while supplies last, including arts and crafts, a Glitter Bar with Bloom Beauty Studio, cosmic cookie decorating with Great American Cookies, a solar selfie station and incense samples from Earthbound Trading Co.,  as well as a DJ spinning a solar-themed playlist and prize giveaways.

The first 100 guests to show up and sign in will receive a solar swag bag including solar glasses for eclipse viewing, courtesy of Drs. McIntyre, Garza, Avila, and Jurica, a popcorn treat from Doc Popcorn, Texas Freezing Good Candy from Bourbon Street Candy Co., and a moonstone from Earthbound Trading Co. While all guests are welcome to move outside to observe the eclipse, those receiving swag bags will be escorted outside to enjoy special reserved seating on the upper level of the parking garage to watch.

With the centerline of the eclipse, known as the path of annularity, stretching from Oregon straight over Corpus Christi, eclipse seekers can expect to see the cosmic event for up to 5 minutes or so starting around 11:55 a.m. This will be an annular, or “ring of fire” eclipse, as opposed to a total eclipse, because the new moon will look slightly smaller as it passes in front of the sun, covering approximately 91% of the sun's disk when viewed from locations along the centerline.   

FITNESS FAVORITE LULULEMON COMING TO LA PALMERA

First Corpus Christi location for the popular brand

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Sept. 8, 2023) – La Palmera today announced lululemon will soon be joining the mall’s tenant lineup, which includes the newly opened Warby Parker and Tao Spa.

Construction is underway on the 6,350-square-foot store located on Center Court adjacent to American Eagle with plans to open in time for the holiday shopping season.

A brand that stands for well-being, the new store will feature lululemon’s innovative products for yoga, running, and training, as well as other athletic endeavors such as golf, tennis, hiking, and more. Guests will also have the opportunity to discover the brand’s immersive offerings, including access to tools, resources, and community events for connection, growth, and empowerment.

“We are pleased to be welcoming lululemon to La Palmera as we know it will be a great addition to our retail and dining mix,” said Amanda Sanchez, La Palmera general manager. “The iconic brand is one our shoppers have been asking about for some time and it will fit right in with our community’s active lifestyle.”

Construction also continues on Palenque Grill, the 8,760-square-foot casual dining table service restaurant located adjacent to Dave & Buster’s, as well as the fast-service Taco Palenque located near Firestone. Both locations are slated to open this year.

LA PALMERA HOSTING ACTOR PEPE SERNA FOR BOOK SIGNING EVENTS

Corpus Christi native signing his autobiographical Life is Art books Aug. 19-20 in Center Court   

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Aug. 11, 2023) – With more than 100 films and 300 television shows to his credit, Corpus Christi native Pepe Serna is one of the most successful Latino actors in the business, known for his memorable support performances over his decades-long career.

Serna will be at La Palmera Aug. 19-20, signing his Life is Art memoir for fans from noon­­­–3 p.m. each day in Center Court. The coffee table-style books are available each day at the event for $45, cash or credit card.

Those who don’t recognize Serna’s name will most certainly know his face from the countless films he has appeared in over the years, including the role of Al Pacino’s ill-fated cocaine partner in Scarface (1983), as Kevin Costner’s nemesis in Silverado (1985), Lieutenant Garcia in the crime yarn The Rookie (1990) starring Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen, and as Mundo in the drama American Me (1992) with Edward Jams Olmos.

“I knew I wanted to be an actor from the time I discovered, as a 3-year-old, I could make people laugh with my improv performances,” said Serna. “I have been blessed in my life by opportunity, but it hasn’t always been easy. When I first went to Hollywood in the 60s to pursue my dream, I was broke and homeless, but I was never afraid to work for what I wanted to achieve and I stay busy to this day pursuing the life I love. It’s a message I deliver to young people on a regular basis.” 

Remaining active as an actor, producer and director, Serna also is a noted keynote teacher and motivational speaker who tours colleges and universities, inspiring students to reach their full potential, as well as an accomplished painter receiving critical acclaim and producing commissioned works. His vibrant paintings and one-man stage shows reflect a serious return to his Mexican roots and are included in the short documentary Life Is Art (2022), showcasing his work in film, and how it has helped pave the way for other Latino actors.

Serna will attend a special event at the Boys and Girls Club of Corpus Christi on Aug. 19 from 6–9 p.m. featuring a special showing of the Life is Art film and the dedication of an art gallery being named in honor of the popular actor.

“I literally was a poster child for the Boys and Girls Club as a child growing up in Corpus Christi in the 50s,” said Serna. “The organization holds a special place in my heart to this day as I take every opportunity to speak with young people, encouraging them to make connections — with others and within themselves. Most kids don’t realize the potential to succeed is already within them.”

WARBY PARKER READY TO OPEN AT LA PALMERA

Store slated to open in time for Texas Sales Tax Holiday weekend;
Back-to-School Scavenger Hunt returns 

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Aug. 4, 2023) – As students are heading back to school, Warby Parker is preparing to open its new La Palmera store located on Center Court, the first in Corpus Christi and 20th location in the state of Texas. 

Slated to open in time for the Aug.11–13 Texas Sales Tax Holiday weekend, the new 2,480-square-foot store will feature a full assortment of optical and sun offerings, including their new Fall 2023 collection, Kids glasses, Scout by Warby Parker daily contact lenses and third-party contacts, plus accessories. Founded with a mission to inspire and impact the world with vision, purpose, and style, Warby Parker strives to demonstrate that a business can scale, become profitable, and do good in the world — without charging a premium for it.

The annual Texas Sales Tax Holiday weekend offers tax-free shopping on a variety of items priced under $100, such as basic school supplies, backpacks, clothing and uniforms, shoes, and many accessories. Shoppers will also find special deals at many stores whose merchandise does not qualify for tax-free status. Mall hours will be 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. on Sunday, with select La Palmera retailers offering extended hours for the three-day event, a list of which will be found on the mall’s Facebook page.

La Palmera will host the annual Back-to-School Scavenger Hunt on Thursday, Aug. 10, with a chance to win La Palmera Gift Cards and a prize package valued at more than $500. To participate, players should follow the Back-to-School Scavenger Hunt Facebook Event page where 10 clues will be posted at 6 p.m. on Aug. 10. leading players to stores and eateries with QR codes posted outside, each of which reveals a letter, which is part of a school-related phrase. The first contestant to solve all 10 clues and post the correct phrase and selfies from each location to the Facebook Event page wins a $100 La Palmera Gift Card; the second-place finisher will win a $50 La Palmera Gift Card with a $25 La Palmera Gift Card for third place. All three winners will then draw a locker combination from a bowl and whoever is able to open the school locker will win the prize package inside. (Locker not included.) Players can find more information at lapalmera.com or on the La Palmera Facebook Event page.

It’s Time to Think Pink

Barbie fans can find merchandise, photo ops and more at La Palmera

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (July 10, 2023) – The highly anticipated Barbie movie, hitting theaters July 21, has everyone thinking pink, including La Palmera.

 Many La Palmera merchants have collaborated with the well-known brand to offer products and merchandise for all ages, including Barbie dolls and accessories in the toy sections of Macy’s and JCPenney, fashion at Dillard’s and Forever 21, signature jewelry at Kendra Scott, cosmetics and toiletries at Ulta, a keepsake ornament at Hallmark, and pop culture collectibles at BoxLunch.  

In addition to the branded items, guests will also find pink handbags, sunglasses, and footwear at Michael Kors, pink diamonds at REEDS, plus additional pink fashion and accessories, from beach vibes to sparkles, in stores such as Aerie, Buckle, Claire’s, Express, Hollister, PINK, Rosetta Kay Fashion, Torrid and Windsor.

La Palmera is also paying homage to the fashion icon by bathing Center Court in various shades of her signature color, featuring a tropical beach scene along with other fun props and photo ops available throughout the month of July.