Southport Plaza replaces Borders, Linens n Things

Two new anchor tenants are taking a total of 58,000 square feet in Southport Plaza at U.S. 31 and Shelby Street on the south side, bringing the shopping center to full occupancy for the first time in more than four years. Shoe Carnival plans to take over the 25,000-square-foot former home of Borders, and Kittle's Home Furnishings plans to open one of its Rooms Express stores in the 33,000-square-foot former home of Linens n Things. Borders closed in 2011, and Linens closed in 2008. Rooms Express is relocating from a smaller location in Southport Commons at Interstate 65 and Southport Road. That space will be converted to another Kittle's concept. Shoe Carnival is moving from a freestanding 12,000-square-foot store in front of the Greenwood Place shopping center across Shelby Street. The Southport Plaza center is owned by Nationwide Insurance.