Soon, shoppers at West Park Mall can enjoy a bowl of creamy cheese broccoli soup at the St. Louis Bread Co., scheduled to open March 6.

The new store is an example of the changes taking place at West Park Mall, mall Manager Karen Beckman said.

Beckman herself is counted among the changes. She became mall manager in August, replacing Tony Stephens who resigned last April.

Beckman is the fifth manager of West Park Mall, which opened more than a dozen years ago. West Park has 67 stores and three anchor stores.

CenterMark Properties Inc., based in St. Louis, operates the mall.

In the past 18 months, Beckman said, the mall has experienced 24.9 percent "remerchandising," a trade term to reflect new stores opening, stores relocating within the mall and updates in the stores that exist.

"That's a phenomenal number," Beckman said. "It really acknowledges the strong market that West Park Mall has and the effort on the part of the leasing people to meet the leasing needs."

She said construction of the bread company store has caused a lot of interest, but it isn't the only change coming soon.

Famous Footwear has also signed a contract and will begin construction. The store will be situated in the Famous Barr court.

Suzanne Yoder joined the staff Dec. 5 as marketing director.

"She has put together a real exciting calendar for 1995," Beckman said. "I think that's one reason you see a lot of activity at the mall."

The mall draws shoppers from a 10-county area.

"We are aware that people come from miles to shop," Beckman said, adding: "We know many people are here for more than a 20-minute shopping trip. We have made an attempt to enhance their experience here."

While West Park Mall's primary mission is to serve as a retail center, the mall also serves as a center for community activity. Exercise walkers who prowl the corridors morning, noon and night. Children and adults attend special programs including puppet shows, concerts and fashion shows.

Beckman said, "We want people to feel comfortable when they are here."