More than 500 people were waiting in line this morning when Dilliard's, one of the mainstays of Edgewater Mall, held its formal re-opening.  The waiting line, says Edgewater Mall Manager, Terry Powell, is indicitive of the business that Dillard's has done since the soft opening on Saturday.

Biloxi was one of four soft openings.  One was in Ocala, FL; one in Macon, GA: and one outside of Houston.  According to Powell, the Biloxi store did more sales than the other three combined.

 Although Edgewater Mall re-opened 110 days after Hurrican Katrina, the 180,000 square foot, two story Dillard's, which faced the beachfront, was not able to re-open until now.

Mayor Holloway said of the re-opening, "This is another milestone in our recovery.  It's like I've said over and over:  We have a milestone-large or small- each and every day."

Dilliard's is a "very integral part of the mall," Powell said.  "It's a major anchor.  All of our anchors are very important to us, but Dilliard's is No. 1. and it's re-opening will make a lof of difference in the mall traffic."