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If you look closely, you might see International Plaza's new general manager walking through the snow globe at Santa's Chronicles of Narnia display or eating Chick-fil-A in the food court.
Last Saturday, he sneaked a peek at super model Tyra Banks as she shopped with Yankees star Derek Jeter.
Chris Balish took the helm of International Plaza in September, as the upscale mall entered its fifth year. Since then, he's made it a priority getting the mall into white glove shape for the holiday season and meeting all 200 store owners.
Balish, 43, replaced Aj Jemison, who was promoted to Taubman Center Inc.'s Beverly Center in Los Angeles. He came to Taubman after 20 years in real estate management.
A Madison, Wis., native, Balish attended Western Michigan University, where he and some soccer buddies started a scholarship program for inner city kids. He lives in Westwood Lakes near the Eagles Golf Club.
I met up with him and Nina Mahoney, the mall's marketing director, in the food court this week to talk about his new job, his favorite pastime and his huge appetite.
Have you seen a change as the holiday season ramps up?
People. Lots of 'em. Incredible increase in traffic. Being here as the new general manager, I really never understood what International Plaza was all about and what the property stood for ... and the passion that everyone has here. It's been an eye-opening experience.
Are you a big Christmas guy?
I love Christmas, and I love the holidays. It's all about family and it's all about reconnecting. This will be the second Christmas that my mom's not around. I always remember about her and growing up in Wisconsin and all of our Christmases there with my two brothers.
Do you decorate your house?
I'm a single guy. But I do actually decorate my house. I've got lights up on the outside and a wreath and a small tree on the inside.
You've been in Tampa for two years. What made you want to stay?
I had lived in 13 cities in 21 years and all of that was career driven. I got to a point where I had just turned 40. My lifestyle is active and outdoors. I train every day and I do triathlons and stuff. Tampa offered all those things that I couldn't get in another city, and the weather was fantastic. There's really such an energy here in the city. There's so much going on. To me, it just feels right.
What are biggest challenges of the job?
To ensure the operations of this center meet the image and the branding and the marketing that we've done over the last four to five years. That's No. 1. No. 2 is to continually improve upon our service levels and what I mean by that is how we interact with the tenants. How we create that shopping experience for everybody who comes here. All it takes is that one shopper to have a bad experience. I look at every day as game day.
What do you like to do in Tampa for fun?
I really enjoy the South Tampa area. I find myself spending a lot of time down there on the weekends. I'm a sports fan. I love going to Lightning games. As many as I can go to, I go to. I'm a big hockey fan.
You train for triathlons. What does that entail?
A lot of running, a lot of biking, as much rest as possible and about 5,000 calories a day. I eat constantly.
When do you have time for that?
For example, this morning, I got up a little before 5 o'clock and was able to get in 45 miles on the bike and was able to shower up and grab a protein shake on the way. I've got a route between my home and Clearwater Beach. U.S. 19 and Tampa roads are a little dicey with traffic in the morning, but it's fun. Tonight I'll do flexibility and core strength at Lifestyles gym (in Hyde Park) on the exercise balls.
What's your diet?
I try to keep between 4,000 and 5,000 calories a day, heavy with chicken, fish, usually salmon or tuna, a lot of raw vegetables and fruit and a protein shake in the morning and a protein shake at night. Throughout the day, it's as much as I can eat.
Do you eat sweets?
No, fig newtons, granola bars. But for yesterday's lunch, I had french fries. For me, it's a lifestyle. The event of the triathlon is not so much a competition, but it's more competition for myself to gauge my training.
Next one?
St. Anthony's Triathlon (in St. Petersburg) in April.
Gasparilla?
I might. I did the 5K last year. After I got done there, I went to the gym and finished my workout.
What stores do you like to shop at here?
All of them, but I gotta admit I'm a department store shopper when it comes to clothes.
Do you get a discount?
Do we get a discount? (He turns to Mahoney.) I've never gotten one. Should I ask for one? (No, no, she says. Our company would frown upon that.)
Do you eat here?
Oh, absolutely. I would say I've eaten everywhere here except for a couple of food court spots. The inner engine in my body is already cycling. It's in and out for me. It's fuel and it's got to be good and clean. I love Capital Grille. I love Cheesecake (Factory). I love Gallery Bistro. They've got some fantastic salmon dishes. I love Champps. They've got great tuna sandwiches there. And I'll tell ya, my favorite cheating food, and I've got my office all hooked on it, is Chipotle. I should be on the board of directors.
THE LAST DROP: A record 17-million people are expected to visit International Plaza this year, up from about 14.8-million in 2004. It seems the majority will pass through this weekend. Extended hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
- Susan Thurston can be reached at 226-3394 or thurston@sptimes.com