Leesburg, FL – Lake Square Mall has a new leader with a bold vision for the future. Since taking the helm four months ago, Cesar Cunha, the mall’s new general manager, has been working diligently to revitalize the property and reimagine its potential as a hub for the community and beyond.

Originally from Brazil, Cunha brings a wealth of experience from both domestic and international projects, where he specialized in rebranding and revitalizing businesses. His mission in Leesburg is clear: breathe new life into Lake Square Mall and transform it into a vibrant, multi-use destination.

“One of the things I focus on is image and vision,” says Cunha. “When I first arrived, we noticed areas that needed immediate attention—peeling paint, trash in places it shouldn’t have been. So we got to work right away, cleaning up and improving spaces, including the old JCPenney and Sears buildings.”

While the two former anchor tenant spaces remain vacant for now, Cunha and his team are actively working on securing tenants. Talks are underway with the Lake County Supervisor of Elections to utilize the Sears building, and there’s growing interest in the JCPenney space.

“We’ve received several offers on the JCPenney building,” Cunha notes, “but we’re also thinking big picture. Our long-term plan involves redevelopment of the property—adding restaurants, possibly hotels, and even residential units to create a true mixed-use environment.”

(One of the more exciting new offerings is Let’s Race Hobby which has a short-track that you can test RC cars on and race against friends. It’s a really uniqe store and one that is perfect for young ones and retirees who are looking for a fun hobby.)

Cunha is supported by a creative and motivated team, including Robin Reynolds, Lake Square Mall’s Marketing and Events Coordinator, and Joshua Blake, the Creative Arts Director. Together, they’ve already seen signs of momentum.

“The mall is in the middle of a boom,” Cunha says. “We have multiple new tenants that just moved in, and we’re actually running into space limitations—which, in our case, is a great problem to have.”

One beloved tradition that the team is committed to maintaining is the annual Halloween Haunted House, a popular attraction at the mall. “Josh Blake is working hard to find the perfect spot for it with all the new tenants coming in, but we’ll make sure it happens. It’s a community favorite,” says Cunha. Last year Lake & Sumter Style Magazine ranked it as the #1 Haunted House in Lake County.

(Fox 35 News Crew was out interviewing some of the new business owners that now call the mall home. The mall is the fullest it has been in over a decade with more expansion planned.)

Looking ahead, Cunha envisions a 5- to 10-year transformation that will modernize the mall and make it more resilient to challenges posed by online retailers.

“We’re bringing in unique stores you can’t find online. While Amazon has changed the landscape for retail, we believe our mix of tenants will drive foot traffic and benefit the entire community,” he explains.

The mall sits on a sprawling 72-acre property, which Cunha sees as a key asset in his redevelopment vision. “We own it all, and I know we can put it to good use. It’s going to take time, but we’re committed to making it happen.”

In the immediate future, shoppers and visitors can expect more exciting events and experiences. “We’ve brought the outside world into the mall,” says Joshua Blake. “We wanted the space to reflect the heart of Lake County, and you’ll start to see that in our new design elements.”

With fresh leadership, community-minded events, and a long-term redevelopment plan in place, Lake Square Mall is poised for a promising new chapter under Cesar Cunha’s guidance.