When The Landing began opening stores in October 2007, expectations of filling its roughly 600,000 square feet of retail space were high.

Although the recession broke those high hopes, the Dallas-based Harvest Partners still expects to have 88 percent of the space leased by the end of the year.

“We are very pleased with where we are right now,” said marketing director Michelle Davis. “I think that we’re starting to see an up kick in the economy.”

The Landing also announced the opening of two restaurants and four retail stores, including two large box stores.

Dick’s Sporting Goods will take over Joe’s, which was closed as a part of a larger corporate bankruptcy. Marshalls, a discount clothing store, plans to set up shop next to Ross.

Once the retailers move in, the largest spaces will be mostly filled, although the Golf Galaxy store is going out of business.

While the numbers are encouraging, there are still about three dozen small boutique-size spaces left without tenants.

The smaller spaces have proven popular for cafes and restaurants.

Eleven have opened their doors so far, with Redmond’s Fresh Way Pizza expected to open in November and the Canadian-based Mucho Burrito in the spring.

The restaurants are also doing well, averaging a 30 percent increase in sales from last year, Davis said.

“It’s kind of a no-brainer to start a business here,” said Donna Jones, 45, who’s opening Eyes on The Landing with Dr. Evie Lawson, 32, in November.

The optometrist office, which plans to focus on designer frames, is one business willing to take a bet on the small boutique spaces.

“I really like the outdoor mall feel,” Lawson said. “It feels like a community.”

The two come from working at the Bravern in Bellevue, a high-end shopping mall, where the customers tend to have an upscale urban pace.

The Landing contrasts that atmosphere with a relaxed family feel, Lawson said. “I love to see families.”

The products will still be high-end and the frames unique, including brands Face a Face, Ic! Berlin and Bevel.

“We plan on having some really fun things for younger children and teens,” Lawson said, before going on to describe some of her favorite brands.

The business partners were also attracted to The Landing because of its ease of access from the freeway.

“We had other options in Renton,” Jones said. “It’s so easy to come down here.”

Jones and her husband, a business owner, had been interested in starting a business at The Landing since it was just concept art.

When Jones learned Lawson was leaving the Bellevue office in the spring, she asked if she’d be interested in starting a business.

Lawson had attempted to open a practice twice before, but neither was a success.

It took encouragement to get Lawson to try again, and it took convincing to get her try again in Renton, Lawson said. “I’m like, Bellevue to Renton, really?”

But then Lawson began doing the research, she said. “Renton kept coming up as a place that needs optometrists.”

Jones amused Lawson by shopping around for locations, but she knew The Landing was the right choice, she said. “The businesses are doing well here.”

In addition to Eyes on The Landing, an online toy store called Creative Mom Toys plans to open its first storefront in the spring with Marshalls and Dick’s.