The Oaks mall expansion opening this weekend

Holiday shoppers will want to load up their wallets and put on their comfortable walking shoes because the two-level, open-air expansion at The Oaks mall will be awaiting them on Sat., Nov. 15.

The 103,000 square feet of new retail stores and restaurants was expected to open in October to take full advantage of the holiday shopping season, but construction was delayed until November, according to Nicole Flynn, The Oaks marketing manager.

At 6 p.m. Nov. 15, a treelighting ceremony will take place under the stars and around the fire pit. The Oaks will unveil its new look, decorated for the holidays. And a sweeping light show with a sprinkling of snowflakes will be presented nightly throughout the season.

"There will be holiday entertainment and a special appearance by the 'real' Santa Claus," Flynn said.

Those attending will have a chance to win a glowing strand of pearls from IRIDESSE, and they'll be offered refreshments compliments of Peet's Coffee and Tea, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Nordstrom eBar, and Teavana.

"Our goal was to create a truly exceptional experience for our guests, and we think that the transformation of The Oaks reflects what the community desired in their shopping center," said senior property manager Julia Ladd.

When completed, the lower level of expansion will offer fashion and accessory stores for juniors and young adults as well as several options for fast-casual dining, the fire pit and soft seating areas. The upper level will have women's lifestyle and fashion retailers. The expansion is centered around a curved wroughtiron staircase, but escalators are also an option.

Restaurants will include Ruth's Chris Steak House and Lazy Dog Café.

Muvico Theaters will not be opening until the end January because of construction delays, according to Muvico director of marketing Jodi Pine.

"We would've loved to be open for the holidays—our peak movie time—but we cannot," she said.

The 14 stadium theaters, built with a Parisian theme, will feature wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling curved screens and Sony 4K digital technology sound and projections.

A Levy's restaurant and a full bar will be located on the upper level. Four "Premier" theaters—for those 21 and older—will offer valet parking, free popcorn and plush 74-inch "love" seating. Appetizers and alcoholic drinks from the bar and restaurant will be permitted inside the theater, but food that might necessitate the clanging of silverware will not be permitted, Pine said.

A Muvico theater in Florida costs $9.75 for general admission and $20 each for a Premier ticket, she said. Matinee prices are $7 for general admission and $17 for Premier. Ticket prices for the to be decided.

The redevelopment of The Oaks that began in 2007 is the first significant change in the shopping center's 30year history. The inside mall area improvements include a Southern California Spanish-revival-style look, with a new food court, restrooms, outdoor dining patio and multilevel parking deck that opened in July. A Nordstrom department store opened in September.

"The Oaks warmly invites families to join us around our cozy fire pit in the crisp fall outdoors as we celebrate the opening of The Oaks new expansion," Flynn said.

The Oaks mall is a 1millionsquare-foot regional shopping center off the 101 Freeway in Thousand Oaks. The Oaks features Macy's Women's; Macy's Men's, Children's & Home; JCPenney; Nordstrom; The Cheesecake Factory; and Sisley Italian Kitchen. Upon completion The Oaks will include more than 170 specialty stores.

For more information, visit www.ShopTheOaksMall.com.

Acorn Bits

New retailers in The Oaks mall expansion include:

Active Ride Shop (skate, snowboard and surf apparel and accessories)

Aerie by American Eagle (fashionable undies, sleepwear, sweats, slippers and accessores)

Aeropostale (teen apparel for girls and boys)

American Eagle Outfitters (men's and women's clothes, shoes and more)

Beachworks (skate apparel and accessories)

Lids (hats and caps)

PacSun (skate & surf clothing for teens)

Quicksilver Youth (clothing, accessories and related products for youngminded people)

Sleep Numbers by Select Comfort (inventors of the Sleep Numbers bed)

The Walking Company (comfort shoes)

Wetzel's Pretzels

Zumiez (gear, clothing and accessories for skateboarding and snowboarding)

Dockers San Francisco (men's and women's casual and professional apparel)

Leonidas Chocolate Café (a wide range of espresso drinks in addition to worldfamous chocolates )

Levi's (men's, women's and children's jeans and apparel)

Michelle D (sophisticated contemporary clothing line and formal wear)

Mojo Yogurt (frozen yogurt and toppings)

Paper Source (premier handmade paper from around the world, scrapbooking and craft accessories)

Peet's Coffee and Tea T-Mobile (cellphones, plans and accessories)