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Author: Chad Charles

Daily Herald: LDS Church announces location of Christmas Giving Machines

Posted on by Chad Charles

One of the most popular ways to give at Christmas is back after a year of COVID-19.

As part of the annual “Light the World” initiative, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Monday the return of Giving Machines.

“The annual effort, organized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, encourages people everywhere to follow the Savior’s admonition to “love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34). The theme for this year’s initiative is “Light the World With Love,” a church statement said.

This holiday season, 10 cities across the United States will host these unique vending machines, offering people a fun and memorable way to give and serve.

The popular, red Giving Machines will be available beginning in this month.

In Utah, the machines will be at two locations, starting on the dates listed:

  • Orem — University Place (Nov. 23)
  • Salt Lake City — City Creek Center (Nov. 24)

“Every machine includes items from global and local charities. This year’s global charities are CARE, Church World Service, UNHCR, UNICEF, and WaterAid,” a church statement said. “Within each Giving Machine are items such as food, clean water, healthcare services, shelter, bedding, hygiene kits, job training, educational supplies and more, with prices ranging from $2.00 to $500 (depending on location). Of course, the ever-popular chickens, goats, pigs, and beehives are also available.”

Since 2017, Giving Machines have raised more than $9 million for humanitarian organizations in local communities and across the world.

Read the full article here.

Daily Herald: University Place announces holiday activities beginning this week through Christmas

Posted on by Chad Charles

After a quiet year with few activities during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, University Place announced Tuesday it is back in full swing for the holidays with a loaded schedule of events beginning with the Halloween season.

All events are free and will be located inside the shopping center or outside in The Orchard.

Throughout the month of October, people are invited to walk through the arch made entirely of pumpkins. Over 750 carved-by-hand foam pumpkins will be lit every evening in October during shopping hours at The Orchard. Hidden throughout the arch are six special pumpkins, and guests are encouraged to see if they can find them all.

With so many activities, University Place is encouraging the public to mark their calendars now.

Read the full article here.

Touch-A-Truck and More Kicks-off Holiday Events at University Place

Posted on by Chad Charles

OREM, Utah (October 4, 2021) – University Place announced today a full schedule of holiday events beginning now until the end of the holiday season. All of the events are free and will be located inside the shopping center or outside in The Orchard.

OCTOBER

Pumpkin Arch
Friday, October 1 – Sunday, October 31
Come and walk through an arch made entirely of pumpkins! Over 750 carved-by-hand foam pumpkins will be lit every evening in October during shopping hours at The Orchard. Hidden throughout the arch are six special pumpkins, see if you can find them all.

Touch-a-Truck
Saturday, October 9
10-2 p.m.
New to The Orchard – Once a year Orem City opens its garage doors and shares all the trucks and vehicles that serve the community. Sponsored by Waste Management, everyone is invited to get up close and explore all the city’s vehicles including dump trucks, fire engines, police cars and more. Feel free to climb behind the wheel and speak with the men and women who operate the equipment essential to community operations. This is the first time this highly attended event will be at the Orchard. Please note it will be loud, if you or your child(ren) are sensitive to sound, please bring hearing protection.
Free hotdogs will be available until supplies last.

Pumpkin Week
Monday, October 11 – Friday, October 15

  • 11 a.m. Monday: Imagication: I Like Pumpkins! Bring kids between the ages of 2 thru 5 for a pumpkin themed story time. Registration required, please visit www.universityplaceorem.com.
  • 6 p.m. Tuesday: Pumpkin mash, Orchard Bash and ComedySportz Utah: The entire family will want to attend tonight’s events! There will be a pumpkin carving contest, a pumpkin drop and a fishing pond for the young kids. Registration for the pumpkin carving contest required, and prizes include a $300 gift card to University Place.  Visit  www.universityplaceorem.com to register.
  • Also on Tuesday evening, ComedySportz Utah will performing, a family-friendly, live improv comedy show. Come and cheer on your favorite comedian on the stage at the Orchard.
  • 6 p.m. Wednesday: Halloween Spooktacular: Halloween celebrations continue on-stage at the Orchard with a magic show, spooky storytelling, animal show and fire dancers.  Enjoy free smore’s and apple cider while supplies last.
  • 6:30 p.m. Thursday: Haunted Orchard of Villains: Bring your kids to The Orchard to meet and take pictures with some spooky and beloved Halloween Villains.
  • 7 p.m. Friday: Scary movie night: Bring chairs and blankets to stay warm and watch “The Mummy” outside in The Orchard. Free popcorn while supplies last.

NOVEMBER

Holiday Lighting in The Orchard
Monday, November 15
6-8 p.m.
Join us for the 5th year as we turn on the Christmas Lights to officially welcome in the 2021 Holiday Season.  Special guests the Grinch and the Who’s will be there to help-out and keep guests entertained. This year the lights will be turned on at the beginning of the event, be sure to arrive on-time so you don’t miss it.  Refreshments will be served while supplies last.

Lite Brite Nites
Every Thursday, November 18 – December 30 (except November 25th)
6-8 p.m.
Come enjoy interactive Christmas lights in The Orchard, including life-sized color changing shapes and a giant Lite Brite. Warm up at the fire pits and enjoy free treats while supplies last.

 Santa’s Grand Arrival
Friday, November 26
9:30 a.m.
Come and welcome Santa Claus as he arrives at University Place in style in a chopper to kick off the gift giving season. Located in the parking lot in front of Tucano’s Brazilian Grill, there will be live entertainment and refreshments while waiting for Santa to land.

Visit Santa at University Place Shopping Center
Friday, November 26 – Friday, December 24 (every day except Sunday’s)
11 a.m.-9 p.m.
After Santa’s has landed, bring your kids to meet him one-on-one inside the shopping center at Santa’s Village, located next to Forever Young Shoes, in the west end of the shopping center.

Gingerbread House Competition
Monday, November 29 – Saturday, December 4
10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Join us for our 4th annual University Place Gingerbread House Competition.  We are pleased to announce this year’s judges are Brenda Nibley from Gingergiddy, Mary Crafts from Culinary Crafts and Pete Tidwell from The Mighty Baker. The first-place winner will receive $1,000!

The Gingerbread houses will be on display all week, and guests are asked to vote on their favorite for the People’s Choice award.  The Gingerbread houses will be in the west end of the shopping center by Maurices. To enter a gingerbread creation, register at www.universityplaceorem.com/events.

Santa and Friends
Every Tuesday, November 30 – December 21
5-7 p.m.
Every Tuesday Santa will be joined by a few of his friends, including princesses, holiday characters and even some bad guys from the dark side.

Christmas Carolers
Every Wednesday, December 1 – 22
4-7 p.m.
Back again this year are at University Place are Christmas Carolers who will be roaming the halls of the shopping center spreading holiday cheer with music.

Quiet Santa
Monday, December 6 – Friday, December 10
8-11 a.m.
We are pleased to announce that Quiet Santa is returning to University Place this holiday season.  The Quiet Santa experience is designed specifically for children with sensory sensitivities. One in five Utah children have some degree of sensory sensitivity, and Quiet Santa makes it possible for them to spend one-on-one time with Santa without being overwhelmed by crowds and noise. More details, including registration information, will be released on our website closer to the dates.

Live Nativity
Friday, December 10
6-8 p.m.

A memorable tradition at The Orchard, joins us for the return of University Place’s Live Nativity.  Walk through the humble story of Christ, as told through real life actors and animals including a camel. Refreshments will be served while supplies last.

Carol’s and Cocoa with Mrs. Claus
Monday, December 13
6-7 p.m.
Come and listen to a story and sing along with Mrs. Clause.  There will be a hot chocolate bar and fire pits to keep you warm.  This is an outdoor activity in The Orchard next to our Christmas lights, so dress warmly.

All events are subject to weather, and the latest guidelines from national and local health departments. Masks and social distancing are encouraged. For more details and a full schedule of events, visit https://live-university-place-production.pantheonsite.io/events/.

About University Place

Opening in the early 1970’s in Orem, Utah, University Place (formerly University Mall) is a 120-acre development in the midst of a $500 million revitalization. In addition to first class retail offerings, University Place is now home to upscale residential, Class-A office and high-quality green space. University Place was first developed and is still owned and operated by Woodbury Corporation, a 100-year-old, 4th generation family-run business, and one of the oldest and most respected full-service real estate development and management companies in the Intermountain West. For more information about University Place and updates on the project, visit https://live-university-place-production.pantheonsite.io/. For more information about Woodbury Corporation, visit https://www.woodburycorp.com/.

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Press Contact:
Amanda Butterfield
Woodbury Corporation PR
A_butterfield@woodburycorp.com
801-440-9837

Utah Business: Mixed-use spaces are having a moment in real estate

Posted on by Chad Charles

Dead malls litter the US, but they are thriving with new identities. As the retail industry evolves, cities across the country are grappling with the tall task of repurposing these large, existing sites in core districts.

Communities must get creative, rezoning to accommodate for office, multifamily, or industrial distribution centers. Every solution is slightly different, but no matter the approach, successfully turning around these older assets requires a multi-use point of view.

With a boom in population and a pinch on available land, Utah cities are being forced to update existing infrastructure, optimize land use, and reimagine current real estate assets with high-density development as the focal point.

Adapt and survive

Previously known as University Mall, a marquee Utah County development has reinvented itself as a bustling center of community life. Smack in the middle of Utah County, University Place embodies the “live, work, play” paradigm that forward-thinking developers across the country are rallying around.

“Retailers have failed to evolve,” says Jeff Woodbury, VP of acquisitions and development at Woodbury Corporation—University Place’s parent company. He explains how “dinosaurs” like Sears bemoan the nemesis of online shopping, yet Apple’s stores are doing just fine, averaging a mind-boggling $1,000 per square foot of sales floor space. “The most successful stores take advantage of bricks and clicks,” Woodbury says. It’s about “evolving and keeping up with technology.”

Providing more than just retail

Woodbury Corporation opened the University Mall in the early 1970s. The 120-acre development featured ZCMI and JC Penney as flagship attractions, and the mall did quite well over the ensuing decades, adding Nordstrom, Costco, a Cinemark theater, and more. In 2012, spurred in part by the departure of Nordstrom, Woodbury Corporation changed the name—swapping “Mall” for “Place”—and reimagined the development as a communal nexus “where you can live, work, shop, and play.”

Read the full article here.

Day-Long Pioneer Day Celebrations and Firework Radio Broadcast at University Place

Posted on by Chad Charles

OREM, Utah (July 12, 2021) – University Place today announced a full line up of events at The Orchard to celebrate Pioneer Day on July 24. New this year, free concerts and activities will be going on all day beginning at 11 a.m. Festivities will wrap-up around 9:30 p.m. with a spectacular firework show choreographed to music, that will be broadcast over the radio. This is the first year University Place has arranged a live radio broadcast of the firework show.

“Every year we want to enhance and improve the guest experience at our events,” said Randy Woodbury, president, and CEO of Woodbury Corporation. “The Pioneer Day firework show is consistently the most attended event of the year at The Orchard, and the choreographed broadcast will allow even more people to join-in on the festivities.”

The radio station the music will be broadcast on will be announced the morning of the 24th on Instagram and Facebook (@universityplaceorem), and on the University Place website (https://live-university-place-production.pantheonsite.io). The broadcast is expected to reach people within a half mile radius of The Orchard. This allows for many surrounding homes, including residents of The Aston, The Devon and The Exton to be able to listen to the music while they watch the fireworks from home. It will also allow for people parked in the surrounding parking lots of University Place to listen and watch the show from the comfort of their cars.

Below is a lineup of events that will be offered on the 24th. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to sit on.

  • 11:00-11:45 a.m. Moe Low Band
  • 12:00-12:45 p.m. Ditch Chickens Band
  • 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. DeNovo Band
  • 2:30-5:00 p.m. Bounce houses, yard games, splash pad activities
  • 6:00-7:30 p.m. Food, games, DJ and various competitions, including a pie eating competition and ‘stick pull game, for chances to win University Place Gift Cards
  • 7:30-9:30 p.m. The Jersey Street Band
  • 9:30 p.m. Choreographed firework show that will be broadcast over the radio
    • Please check the University Place website and Facebook and Instagram accounts on the 24th of July for more details

In addition to the events on the 24th, free events continue during July and August including The Outdoor Movie Night Series every Thursday evening in July, followed by the End of Summer Concert Series on Thursday evenings in August. For more details and a full schedule of events, including Harry Potter’s Birthday Celebration and Family Fun Night: At the Circus, please visit https://live-university-place-production.pantheonsite.io/events/.

All events are subject to weather, and the latest guidelines from national and local health departments. Masks and social distancing are encouraged for those not vaccinated.

About University Place

Opening in the early 1970’s in Orem, Utah, University Place (formerly University Mall) is a 120-acre development in the midst of a $500 million revitalization. In addition to first class retail offerings, University Place is now home to upscale residential, Class-A office and high-quality green space. University Place was first developed and is still owned and operated by Woodbury Corporation, a 100-year-old, 4th generation family-run business, and one of the oldest and most respected full-service real estate development and management companies in the Intermountain West. For more information about University Place and updates on the project, visit https://live-university-place-production.pantheonsite.io/. For more information about Woodbury Corporation, visit https://www.woodburycorp.com/.

###

Press Contact:
Amanda Butterfield
Woodbury Corporation PR
A_butterfield@woodburycorp.com
801-440-9837

Daily Herald: African Heritage Festival kicks off summer of events at University Place

Posted on by Chad Charles

University Place in Orem is adding its name to the list of venues that will be opening with full, fun activities for summer.

On Wednesday, University Place announced its community-centric summer activities which will be held outside at The Orchard, the outdoor gathering location and park at University Place.

The Orchard is scheduled to host more than 30 free events from June through August.

This year’s lineup of events will include annual favorites the community has come to expect, such as the July 24th fireworks show that brings in nearly 7,000 people, and also new events like the African Heritage Festival, to encourage and highlight diversity.

“This new festival comes at a critical time in building a broader global community,” said Annette Knight with the Ngoma y’Africa Cultural Center, which is based out of Provo. “Our mission is to preserve and increase understanding of African culture through the arts such as storytelling, languages, music and dance – all of which we are excited to share at this year’s festival.”

The African Heritage Festival will be from 3 to 8 p.m. June 5, featuring the talents and music of Ngoma Y’ Africa Cultural Center.

The theme of the festival is “Healing through the UBUNTU SPIRIT of oneness and acceptance.”

There will be live performances, along with African food and vendors at The Orchard.

Read the full article here.

University Place Resumes full Schedule of Summer Activities at The Orchard

Posted on by Chad Charles

OREM, Utah (May 12, 2021) – University Place, a 112-acre mixed-use development project formerly known as University Mall, today announced its calendar of community-centric summer activities, which will be held outside at The Orchard, University Place’s outdoor gathering space. The Orchard is scheduled to host over 30 free events for the public from June through August.

After modifying or postponing most all of the events in 2020 due to the COVID 19 pandemic, this year’s lineup of events will include annual favorites the community has come to expect, such as the July 24th fireworks show that brings in nearly 7-thousand people, and also new events like the African Heritage Festival, to encourage and highlight diversity.

“This new festival comes at a critical time in building a broader global community,” said Annette Knight with the Ngoma y’Africa Cultural Center. “Our mission is to preserve and increase understanding of African culture through the arts such as storytelling, languages, music, and dance – all of which we are excited to share at this year’s festival.”

This summer’s events include:

  • African Heritage Festival – NEW
    June 5
    3:00-8:00 p.m.
    University Place is teaming up with the Ngoma Y’ Africa Cultural Center based out of Provo, to hold the first African Heritage Festival. The theme is “Healing through the UBUNTU SPIRIT of oneness and acceptance.” There will be live performances, along with African food and vendors.
  • Live Game Night Series – NEW
    June 3, 24
    6:00-8:00 p.m.
    Each evening will have a different theme, the first will be Live Clue with Scooby Doo, followed by Lawn Games in Wonderland. Families, students and college aged kids are invited to spend the evening outside playing various games, among favorite characters so be sure to bring your camera.
  • Orem Summerfest Kick-off Party
    June 7
    7:00 p.m.
    For the fourth year in a row, Orem Summerfest will kick-off at University Place with its annual story telling event. World-famous storytellers Kim Weitkamp and Sam Payne will be providing an evening of great stories. Bring a blanket and/or chairs to listen to stories on the grass at The Orchard. Yard games will also be out, along with free ice cream while supplies last.
  • Family Fun Night: Beach Party
    June 21
    7:00-9:00 p.m.
    Come and tour some Pacific Island traditions. Activities & games will be available the first hour, followed by live performances including the very popular Polynesian fire dancers the second hour.
  • Clog America: American Folk Dance Show
    June 28
    6:30-9:00 p.m.
    Part of the Freedom Festival line up of events to celebrate the fourth of July, Clog America is returning for its 3rd year to University Place. Clog America is America’s premiere Folk Dance Ensemble representing the US in international folk festivals throughout the world. Bring blankets and/or chairs, and watch as these dancers tell the story of America’s Folk Dance history through clogging.
  • Outdoor Movie Night Series
    July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
    7:30-11:00 p.m.
    This fan favorite series happens every Thursday evening in July. The lineup includes Rogue One, Enchanted, The Lego Batman Movie, The Parent Trap and Jurassic Park. The movies start around 9 p.m., with activities and games before. Bring blanket and/or chairs. This year Lisa’s Passion for Popcorn will provide free popcorn to movie goers during each event (while supplies last) and also have their specialty flavored popcorn available for purchase.
  • Renaissance Day
    July 10
    6:00-9:00 p.m.
    Another fan favorite summer event at University Place. Come and watch knights in full armor sword fight while bagpipes play traditional music and Irish Dancers jig to the music. There will also be authentic European food available for purchase.
  • Family Fun Night: International Food Festival
    July 19
    6:00-8:00 p.m.
    For this one night, restaurants on the University Place campus will bring their most popular culinary dishes to The Orchard for outdoor dining! Come and feast on food including Italian, Mexican, American, Chinese and more. Restaurants will set up outside in The Orchard and have various dishes for sale of their unique offerings from around the world.
  • Pioneer Day Celebration
    July 24
    11:00-9:00 p.m.
    The most well attended event of the year at University Place, come and celebrate Utah’s heritage with food, live music, activities and of course fireworks! Bring your chairs and blankets and come listen to many great local bands play, while participating in activities and munching on your favorite food from various vendors. There will be giveaways and prizes, and a very messy pie-eating contest.  Entertainment, food and activities will be available all day, leading up to the grand finale of the day – fireworks!

The night will end in a spectacular firework show choreographed to some of your favorite songs. This is an event you will want to bring all of your family and friends to!

Visit https://live-university-place-production.pantheonsite.io/events/ for a detailed list of times and activities.

  • Harry Potter Birthday Party – NEW
    July 31
    6:00-8:00 p.m.
    For all the wizards, muggles and Potterheads, come and celebrate Harry Potters actual birthday (which is also J.K Rowling’s actual birthday). There will be wizard themed activities, games, and you can meet characters from the wizarding world!
  • Family Fun Night: Superhero Night
    August 16
    6:00-8:00 p.m.
    Bring the kids to meet over 20 of their favorite superheroes in real life! Costumes are encouraged, and be sure to bring your camera as you spend the evening with some of the most powerful superheroes known to man.
  • End of Summer Concert Series – NEW
    August 5, 12, 19
    7:00-9:00 p.m.
    We have revamped a popular series from years past, back before The Orchard existed. Enjoy the last of the summer evenings listening to local bands from Utah and Salt Lake Counties. Bring your blankets and/or chairs and enjoy these cover bands as they play your favorite oldie and modern hits.

All events are subject to weather, and the latest guidelines from national and local health departments. Masks and social distancing are encouraged. For more details and a full schedule of events, visit https://live-university-place-production.pantheonsite.io/events/.

About University Place

Opening in the early 1970’s in Orem, Utah, University Place (formerly University Mall) is a 120-acre development in the midst of a $500 million revitalization. In addition to first class retail offerings, University Place is now home to upscale residential, Class-A office and high-quality green space. University Place was first developed and is still owned and operated by Woodbury Corporation, a 100-year-old, 4th generation family-run business, and one of the oldest and most respected full-service real estate development and management companies in the Intermountain West. For more information about University Place and updates on the project, visit https://live-university-place-production.pantheonsite.io/. For more information about Woodbury Corporation, visit https://www.woodburycorp.com/.

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Press Contact:
Amanda Butterfield
Woodbury Corporation PR
A_butterfield@woodburycorp.com
801-440-9837

Daily Herald: University Place adds 10 new retailers, restaurants

Posted on by Chad Charles

While Orem residents wait for details on the Dillard’s store being built at University Place, the popular shopping center and mall has announced 10 more stores and restaurants coming to its 120-acre campus.

A part of that number is the recently opened Sephora standalone store with inside and outside entrances on the south side of the mall.

“Sephora has been one of our most sought-after stores, and we are thrilled to finally add them to our retail mix,” said Randy Woodbury, CEO and president of Woodbury Corp., in a special statement. “Sephora’s extensive assortment of products, already popular throughout Utah, will now be conveniently available to Utah County shoppers in this beautiful new store.”

Sephora, which started in Paris in 1970, will be joined by another retailer with foreign connections.

University Place has been selected as the first U.S. store for Cotton on BODY, an Australian-based company.

Read the full article here.

KSL: University Place announces 10 new or expanding stores coming to mall in coming months

Posted on by Chad Charles



OREM — The owners of University Place said Tuesday that nearly a dozen new stores have already opened, will open or will expand this year as a part of a large-scale revitalization of the nearly 50-year-old mall.

Personal care and beauty product retail giant Sephora and Temple in Mind have already opened, according to Woodbury Corporation, which owns the 120-acre facility. The latter of the two had a temporary location at the mall where it sold apparel and novelties associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Woodbury Corporation announced there were another eight retail stores or restaurants also opening or expanding in the coming months.

Read the full article here.