Westfarms’ longtime GM Keenan to retire; Arebalo named replacement

HBJ Photo | Joe Cooper Westfarms mall has named a new general manager.

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By Zachary Vasile

Alberto Arebalo has been named the new general manager of Westfarms mall.

Arebalo, currently the director of operations at Dolphin Mall in Miami, will succeed Kevin Keenan, who is retiring after a 46-year career at Westfarms.

“Westfarms is a premier shopping center thanks to the leadership of Kevin Keenan and the commitment of Taubman to continually deliver exceptional retail destinations,” Arebalo said in a statement. “I look forward to learning more about my new community while working alongside this great team.”

Arebalo previously served as director of operations for Harvard Retail Corp., StoreTech+Co, and Urban Retail Properties.

Like most major shopping centers, Westfarms is navigating an increasingly precarious market for brick-and-mortar retail.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made shopping online more popular than ever, prompting concerns that the traditional American mall model may not be as viable as it once was.

Late last year, Westfarms lost one of its anchor stores when Lord & Taylor went out of business. It has yet to fill the empty space, but brokers are considering a unique office space reuse of the property.

In December, Simon Property Group completed its acquisition of an 80% ownership interest in Taubman.