More than 30 years ago, Haroon and Crissy Maniar opened a store in Trolley Square, selling imported women's dresses made with unique artistic processes, such as specialized handiwork.

In 1986, the couple opened a second Haroon's store in Crossroads Plaza. Throughout the years as fashion trends changed, the business evolved from selling exotic imports to vintage-style clothing that is loosely cut and flowing.

When downtown redevelopment began in recent years, the Crossroads and ZCMI Center malls were razed for the current construction of City Creek Center, and new owners bought Trolley Square and began renovations.

"You could never have told me that in two years I'd lose two stores — one that I had for 30 years and one that I had for 18," Crissy Maniar said.

Haroon's resettled in Foothill Village on Salt Lake City's east bench. But like other retailers who left downtown, the Maniars want to return to the city's center.

"At this point, I'd like to see what's going on," Haroon Maniar said. "Then we can decide what's the more suitable place (to open a downtown store)."

For retailers, this is an uncertain time in Salt Lake City as they wait for completion of the City Creek Center and renovations at Trolley Square. Dozens of retailers left downtown because of construction. They want to return, but with so much construction, they have hesitated. Retailers describe being in a holding pattern — waiting for news from other retailers, waiting for construction to subside and waiting for the prices of rent to be announced.

"Tenants are still expanding, but some have said they're putting some expansion plans on hold until 2010, 2011," said Steve Bowler of Coldwell Banker Commercial, who represents shopping centers and retail tenants. "Because of a lot of that, I think the retailers are feeling some frustration."

The $1.5 billion City Creek Center will span three blocks of downtown between South Temple and First South and West Temple to 200 East. It will offer a mix of office buildings, shopping and condos and apartments. Most of the demolition work on the three City Creek blocks is finished. A handful of office and historic buildings will remain intact.

Trolley Square is undergoing renovations to its main building. The historic Wells Fargo branch will be moved to the west portion of the property. A Whole Foods grocery store will be constructed on the northeast end of the property, and Trolley's west parking lot is coming down. Three buildings will rise in that space, with parking underground.