Some recent changes at Independence Mall include a new store focused on local offerings, in addition to other comings and goings.

The owner of Port City Farmers Market said her new store, which grew out of the success of her former mall kiosk, was expected to be open by Friday afternoon.

Jules DeBord and her partner Ashley Golden were working Friday morning on finishing displays in the space formerly occupied by Nine West, in the Dillard’s wing between center court and the food court. The store will include at least 40 to 50 vendors of local handmade items, with room for more.

“We can just add people as long as we have the space,” said DeBord, who also recently opened Port City Farmers Market Kitchen To-Go in the mall’s food court.

She said she’s committed to the model of an all-local, all-handmade inventory.

“Our slogan is ‘100 percent local, 100 percent guaranteed.’ If you didn’t make it, it’s not going in the store, and people will appreciate that,” she said.

While some new businesses have been entering the shopping center, the mall has its share of empty storefronts, including the previous location of Fleishman’s Fine Clothiers in the Belk wing. A Pro Image Sports location had briefly occupied the former Fleishman's space as part of a temporary deal, said Helen Lewis, mall general manager, in an email. But the storefront was empty Friday.

The Best Buy Mobile location in the mall closed at the end of January, according to a Best Buy Mobile website.

Another recent mall addition is Cape Fear Coffee near the food court, where a Starbucks closed last year.

“They opened in time for Black Friday and will be here all year,” offering Pure Vida Coffee, Lewis said.

Independence Mall never lost the Aeropostale Factory Store that sported “store closing” signs in September. Posting the signs through the holidays was mandated through court documents, Lewis explained, but the store never actually closed.

The loss of national tenants at malls around the country has been a source of concern for those who watch the industry. But Lewis said Independence Mall welcomes the opening of DeBord’s new store.

“This is a great way to support local businesses and growing entrepreneurs,” she said in an email. “They will offer in-store events that the community can participate in. We are excited to partner with this new local business owner.”

The inventory includes T-shirts, jewelry, marinara sauce, soap, candles, spices, dog treats and DeBord’s own line of pickled food, Lunchbox Pickles.

In October, a financial report compiled by mortgage database firm Trepp said the indoor shopping center at 3500 Oleander Drive had a potential buyer. That's after almost half of the property became part of foreclosure proceedings because the owners defaulted on a $110 million loan.

But DeBord views the mall’s future with optimism.

“It might change hands, but the mall’s going to be here. It’s not going anywhere,” she said.