At a time where many brick-and-mortar stores are struggling to compete against online retailers, many malls across the country are adding entertainment spaces to keep foot traffic up, including Westfield Trumbull Mall.

SeaQuest is planning to build a large aquarium in the mall, and construction could start as soon as this year.

Construction on a brand-new, 17,000-square-foot aquarium is slated for early November. Its new home will be on the lower level between the JCPenney and Target.

"I think that might be pretty cool," says Trumbull resident Maryna Barone. "My mom works by an aquarium in South Norwalk, the Maritime Aquarium, and I used to go there when I was a kid. It was pretty fun to see all the animals."

Staff with the town's economic development hope it'll flood the town with new faces. Since the mall is the town's top taxpayer, officials want it to constantly attract people and be a space for shopping, food and now entertainment.

"It's essential that the mall continue to be vibrant and that we continue to work with the mall to evolve the uses there, and entertainment uses are one of our top priorities," says Economic and Community Development Director Rina Bakalar.

According to SeaQuest's website, sharks, stingrays and turtles are common at their locations. Officials hope the Trumbull aquarium will open in the spring of 2019.