FASHION FORTUNE NORTHRIDGE CENTER THRIVING.

Byline: Pam Park Staff Writer

The Northridge Fashion Center may have been shaken in the 1994 earthquake, but now it's doing some moving and shaking of its own.

As of May, year-to-date sales were up 30 percent and customer counts were up 35 percent. Mall sales were $380 per square-foot, said Carol Jacobs, general manager. The industry average right now is in the low-300s, she said.

``We continue to see monthly increases,''she said.

Jacobs attributed the strong sales numbers to a reconfiguration of the north end of the mall as an entertainment, dining and shopping area, attracting good tenants and promoting ``family friendly'' events such as the Farmers Market and Family Festival and the Kids Club.

New tenants including Banana Republic and A Bear is Born have been added this year, and several more restaurants and retailers are scheduled to open in coming months.

Anticipated July openings:

--Gloria Jean's Coffee, a seller of gourmet coffee and specialty drinks.

--Beyond The Beach, catering to the younger set with trendy casual clothes, sunglasses and accessories.

Anticipated November-December openings:

--The Sushi Factory, with an all-you-can eat buffet, Japanese entrees, sushi, salads and desserts.

--Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill, with Certified Angus Beef steaks and more.

--Cost Plus World Market, specializing in gifts and housewares from around the world.

New tenants are good news, but huge sales increases for existing tenants such as The Gap, Eddie Bauer and Guess? stores are also bumping up the total sales for the Fashion Center, Jacobs said.

The Farmers Market and Family Festival, held Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., draws a crowd of up to 5,000 people each week, and some of them apparently come inside the mall to shop. Mall sales jump 10 percent on Wednesdays.

``People aren't just coming to the market. It has been incredible for us,'' Jacobs said.

The Farmers Market and Family Festival features food products, but also offers activities for children and booths for community organizations.

The Fashion Center also offers the Kids Club at 10 a.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month. Some 400 to 500 children and parents come out for activities such as book readings and magicians, Jacobs said.

``We've done a lot to make the center family-friendly,'' Jacobs said.

Customers can come to the Fashion Center for some serious shopping, entertainment, several choices of affordable, sit-down dining, or a combination of the three. That's part of its success, Jacob said.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo: (1 -- color) Banana Republic is one of the new stores added to the Northridge Fashion Center this year.

(2 -- color) Mall sales for the Northridge Fashion center were $380 per square-foot in May, surpassing the low-300s industry average.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer