"We'll change locations in the mall, though we'll still be on the second level," Halladay said of Deseret Book's ZCMI Center retail store. "We'll just have a different storefront, a temporary retail home, that will be smaller than our current store but still offer a full array of products and full service for our customers."

As construction progresses, Halladay said, "they'll be boarding sections of the mall off. But there will be other retailers still open with us. Part of the food court will remain open, and access (to the mall) will probably change. The State Street door will remain open, and probably the one on South Temple."

Nordstrom and Meier & Frank also will remain open through the construction, Bills said. What that means hasn't been spelled out yet, and Bills said only that "plans are still under review" with regard to what will be done to accommodate the two anchor retailers.

For the immediate future, both Halladay and Lawrence said business will proceed as usual. And once their respective moves are complete, both anticipate that they'll call the soon-to-be Deseret Book Building home. Both have signed long-term lease agreements.

"We hope it's home," Lawrence said. "We're hoping it's permanent. If everything comes out like I hope it will, it'll be wonderful."

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E-mail: jnii@desnews.com