A news release from mall owner Simon Property Group said the departure will make way for the renovation of the mall's food court and the addition of a more-than-25,000-square-foot retailer whose identity will be announced soon. "We wish Pocket Change all the best in their business endeavors," the statement read.

An area representative of Chicago-based owner Namco, which bought Pocket Change Park from its former owner Nov. 1, declined to discuss the announcement or provide his name to the Quad-City Times.

A NorthPark representative declined further comment to the Times on the development, which will mark the second major change at the mall in a month. Montgomery Ward will close Feb. 19. The company announced in late December that it would cease operations in its 250 stores nationwide and file for bankruptcy.

Uan Nguyen, who manages the Saigon Grill at the mall, said he has known since the restaurant opened three months ago that renovations were planned, including relocation of his business.

"We knew things would change," he said.

Nguyen said he does not know where Saigon Grill will be located or how the mall will look after the new tenant arrives.

Pocket Change Park opened Aug. 31, 1994, in the mall's food court area, near the main mall entrance. It features arcade and carnival games and children's rides, including a 36-foot lighted carousel, bumper cars and a train on a circular track.

It was touted as a family-friendly entertainment destination and, over the years, has been the site of events from Easter Egg hunts to alcohol-free New Year's Eve parties and appearances by Mickey and Minnie Mouse and an MTV bus encouraging young adults to vote.

The adjoining Carousel Cafe food court, with seating for 615, opened as part of the same mall expansion.

Despite the rain Thursday, a handful of adult-child pairs rode the carousel, bowled and played skeeball, while older kids played video games at Pocket Change.

Sandy Garcia of Davenport and her almost-3-year-old grandson, Gage, were among them.