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Among the stores that have closed over the past few months are Deb, Wet Seal, Earthbound Trading Co. and I Can Read Books. Stores advertising that they will close soon include Dress Barn, New York & Company, the Husker Helicopter Store and Go! Calendars, Games, Toys & Books.

Tilted Kilt, one of the mall's anchor restaurants, also closed.

The stores have closed for different reasons. Deb and Wet Seal are national retailers that have declared bankruptcy and closed stores as a result. Tilted Kilt, according to a lawsuit, wasn't paying its bills. Go Calendar is a seasonal store.

Other closings are less clear cut. For example, Husker Helicopter, Dress Barn and New York and Co., which all are closing this weekend, are neighbors.

They appear to be moving out to make room for a bigger tenant. A $600,000 building permit filed last week calls for demolishing those three stores, which are near Dillard's, and building space for a single new tenant.

Gateway General Manager Chad Becwar said the mall has several deals in place to bring new tenants to the mall, but he can't make any announcements yet.

"In a few months, we’ll be announcing new tenants that will include women’s apparel, men’s apparel, accessories and fast-casual dining options," Becwar said in an email. "We’ll be sharing the good news at the appropriate time."

He said the mall's owners, Starwood Retail Partners, have a long-term vision for the mall, which they bought in 2012. Among changes that have already occurred are new exterior signage and landscaping and the installation of mall-wide wireless Internet access.

The mall plans more remodeling and renovation this year and next, Becwar said, although he did not offer specifics.