Totem Lake Mall Stores May Reopen Soon

KIRKLAND - Stores damaged by a roof collapse at Totem Lake Mall last Sunday could reopen as early as Monday.

Twelve stores were closed because of extensive water damage after the cave-in at Lamonts Home Court triggered fire sprinkers that flooded the entire Lower Mall with two to three inches of water. Workers couldn't enter the building to clear out the water until it was determined that other portions of the snow-covered roof wouldn't collapse.

The Upper Mall at Totem Lake was unaffected. Ernst, Computer City, Payless and the Lamonts clothing store in the Lower Mall are also open.

"Some tenants are ready to open up now, but we can't let them in yet" because the mall's damaged wood parquet floor is being removed, said Manager Linda Shallenberger. New flooring will be installed later.

Shallenberger said she expects some stores to reopen Monday, but others will need additional time to replace carpets and other

fixtures.