Junk In The Trunk Vendor Says Store Will Not Reopen at Central Mall Following Hail Damage

Junk In The Trunk, one of the larger storefronts inside Salina’s Central Mall, is not expected to reopen at the mall following this week’s hail storm, according to a vendor who had booth space inside the store.

Stacie Regnier told Salina311 she and her mother had two separate booths inside Junk In The Trunk. Regnier said the booths were paid rental spaces used to sell items inside the mall-based vendor store.

“I had two separate booths we paid rent for,” Regnier told Salina311. “The owner of Junk In The Trunk is looking for a new location. It will not be opening up again at the mall.”

Regnier also provided Salina311 with photos showing damage inside the store following the storm. The images show visible interior damage and conditions that appear to have affected the retail space.

The storm caused damage across the Central Mall property, with multiple stores and tenants affected. Salina311 has received reports and images from mall employees and vendors showing cleanup efforts, water damage and merchandise being moved from damaged areas.

Regnier said her understanding is that the damage may be beyond basic cleanup.

“To my knowledge it’s beyond that,” she said.

She also said the cost to repair the affected space may be a factor in whether businesses return.

“The cost to fix it probably wouldn’t be worth it, but I guess time will tell,” Regnier said.

Junk In The Trunk operated as a multi-vendor retail store, with individual booths rented by sellers. Its closure would affect not only the storefront itself, but also the vendors who used the business as a physical retail location inside Central Mall.

Salina311 has attempted to get additional information from Central Mall management regarding the extent of the damage, cleanup process and whether professional mitigation crews have been brought in. As of publication, mall management had not provided a response.

The full condition of Central Mall and the long-term impact on tenants remain unclear. Several businesses have remained closed or disrupted following the hail storm, and cleanup activity has continued at the property.

This is a developing story. Salina311 will update this report if Central Mall management, Junk In The Trunk ownership or additional tenants provide further information.