With Lakeshore Learning preparing to close and Hobby Lobby following later this month, there has been plenty of speculation about the future of DeKalb Plaza — including whether the King of Prussia shopping center could be headed for a much larger redevelopment.

But current leasing materials, previously approved development plans and newly confirmed tenants are beginning to provide a clearer picture of what's actually planned for the property.

Raising Cane's and Aspen Dental are coming. Two additional spaces are currently marked as being in negotiations. Another business is expected to replace Hobby Lobby. And additional commercial space remains available.

In other words, DeKalb Plaza is certainly changing — but the information currently available points toward continued commercial use and investment in the shopping center rather than the wholesale disappearance of it.

The newest confirmed tenant is Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers.

The popular chicken finger chain has signed a lease at 320 W. DeKalb Pike, according to reporting from the Philadelphia Business Journal. A company representative told the Business Journal that Raising Cane's is working to secure the necessary permits, but did not provide an opening date.

The restaurant won't simply take over one of DeKalb Plaza's existing storefronts.

Marketing materials from property owner Kravco Co. show Raising Cane's in a new building planned along DeKalb Pike, near the entrance to the shopping center. Kravco continues to market DeKalb Plaza as a shopping center property.

Raising Cane's isn't the only new tenant identified on the current leasing plan.

Aspen Dental is shown as a future tenant in another new building planned closer to the intersection and entrance to DeKalb Plaza.

Plans previously submitted to Upper Merion Township called for construction of a 3,062-square-foot fast-food restaurant with a drive-thru, a 3,500-square-foot medical office, and a 10,000-square-foot expansion of one of the shopping center's existing retail buildings, according to the Business Journal.

The Upper Merion Board of Supervisors approved those land-development plans last October.

Kravco's current leasing materials now put names to two pieces of that redevelopment: Raising Cane's and Aspen Dental.

There could be additional tenants on the way.

The current leasing graphic marks two spaces as “Negotiating LOI.” LOI stands for letter of intent, generally indicating that a landlord and prospective tenant are negotiating terms toward a potential lease.

The graphic does not identify either prospective tenant, and an LOI does not necessarily mean a final lease has been signed.

The leasing materials also show other available space, including approximately 1,200 square feet, 1,500 square feet, a divisible space of approximately 5,272 square feet, and a potential 7,200-square-foot build-to-suit opportunity.

Hobby Lobby is scheduled to close its King of Prussia store on August 22.

But its departure may not create a long-term vacancy.

Upper Merion Supervisor Greg Waks wrote on Facebook August 10th that Hobby Lobby “will be replaced by another business,” adding that he suspects an official announcement will be coming soon.

The identity of that business has not yet been announced.

Another longtime DeKalb Plaza tenant is also preparing to leave.

Lakeshore Learning will permanently close its King of Prussia store on October 3, according to signage posted at the location.

The sign directs customers to Lakeshore's Cherry Hill location and online store.

The closure had been the subject of rumors before the company posted the notice at the King of Prussia store earlier this month.

There's still plenty we don't know.

We don't know who will replace Hobby Lobby. We don't know the identities of the two prospective tenants negotiating letters of intent. And there could certainly be additional changes to the property in the future.

But the information currently available gives us a considerably clearer picture than the rumors alone.

DeKalb Plaza remains identified by King of Prussia District as a roughly 101,911-square-foot outdoor shopping center, and Kravco continues to actively market the property for commercial tenants.

At the same time, new commercial development has already been approved, Raising Cane's and Aspen Dental are identified as incoming tenants, two additional spaces are under negotiation, and it seems there is already a replacement for Hobby Lobby.

DeKalb Plaza is changing. But based on what's publicly known right now, it's changing as a shopping center, not disappearing as one.

The Raising Cane's lease was first reported by the Philadelphia Business Journal.

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Corey