KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Two Kanawha County shopping centers are ready to go to the auction block.

“I'd just like to see some of the buildings that are empty to be filled up,” Christine Toney, the manager of Fiesta, said.

Fiesta is a hair and tanning salon at the Dunbar Village shopping center. She says it has seen better days.

“I grew up here as a child, and this shopping plaza was really booming,” she said.

A few years and a few empty stores later, Toney feels lucky to have loyal customers.

“We do very good business here, but we would like to see the center taken better care of,” Toney said.

After some financial problems, the plaza is now up for auction, and city officials say it's about time for a change.

“He (the owner) hasn't been too interested in developing too much recently, so I'm thinking that perhaps having a new owner, particularly a local owner, it might be good for the city,” Dunbar Mayor Jack Yeager said.

It’s the same situation in Kanawha City with the Shops at Kanawha. This plaza has passed through several hands over the years and is up for auction, too. Both are in great locations and are in need of the right buyer.

“Here’s a nice piece of property right off the interstate, which could be very lucrative,” Yeager said.

What could be a good investment for new owners could mean a boost in business for the shopping centers.

The Shops at Kanawha auction will be this Friday, while the Dunbar Village auction is set for next Tuesday. Both will take place on the steps of the Kanawha County Courthouse.