New stores coming to Duluth, anyone know of any? (Stillwater: co-op, YMCA)

[dennyd]

I think that people in Northern Minnesota see all the choices and convenience that other cities have, and we want it up here. Some would be very nice, like having foreign car dealerships/repair, and some national chains that makes Duluth feel new again. Remember when Olive Garden came? We loved it, still love it, and we want that feeling again with what is to come. I say bring it on.

[duluthian2008]

Exactly dennyd. Olive Garden still has two hour waits some nights. I can remember when I went their a few months after it opened and I ended up waiting four hours for a table due to the place being so busy. Its no doubt that restaurants and stores do extremely well in Duluth. Did anyone know that they are building a 700,000 square foot retail center in Cloquet? Its going to be called "Superior Crossing" and will open in a year or two.

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by dennyd

Remember when Olive Garden came? We loved it, still love it, and we want that feeling again with what is to come. I say bring it on.

Heh, Olive Garden is still is insanely busy. Us Duluthians like our food. I have no doubt Valentinis will and is do very well also. Last time I was there, I had to wait just over 45 minutes for table. Businesses have this fear of the area, because in their eyes the numbers just don't stack up. Duluth's demographics are odd, and that hurts our chances. But when a business does take the plunge, they are kindly rewarded by success.

[fromupthere]

Duluthians are not the only ones who like their food. Restaurants here are always busy and regularly have long waits as well. So that's not anything that's unique to Duluth.

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by fromupthere

So that's not anything that's unique to Duluth.

I wasn't really saying that it was, I was kinda half joking.

[ozzie679]

Originally Posted by fromupthere

Duluthians are not the only ones who like their food. Restaurants here are always busy and regularly have long waits as well. So that's not anything that's unique to Duluth.

100% right. It's like that everywhere. Our country isn't getting any skinnier ya know

[nateduluthnative]

Originally Posted by duluthian2008

Yes. But also think of being a resident in Duluth. During the cold winter months when the hours of the local restaurants are shorten and places start closing earlier what do you do? Also some places close for the winter. Chains can live in Harmony with local stores.

Chipotle is not owned by McDonalds. It is owned by itself and McDonalds use to have a part in it but Chipotle when on their own way a few years ago.

Maple Square will have Nevada Bobs for sure and it looks like Pizza Ranch will be on the top level also. Look for it to be finished in the late summer. No word on the other tenants yet.

Duluth Hill is said to be starting contruction in the fall on a Culvers and Texas Roadhouse. It will also include another freestanding restaurant and also two strip centers.

The Old Gander Mountain space will be housing three tenants. One will be roughly 15,000 square feet, one around 8,000 square feet and the other around 7,000 square feet. The 15,000 square foot section and the 8,000 square foot section are already leased. There will be a totaly remodel of the interior and exterior of the building. Both of these tenants are National Retailers.

Thank you. I heard these on this forum recently, but I was in town a couple weeks ago and the properties still had for sale/lease signs on them and the websites for Duluth Hill and the former Gander Mtn. have not changed. I got on the Pizza Ranch website and they seem to go in very small cities. I hope they pull out and a more upscale place goes in there! You people give more business news than the Duluth Tribune or any other business publicationin the northland, Thanx!

[nateduluthnative]

Does anyone know where the fourth Quiznos is going? Also does anyone have any information on Valley Center? They just did a remodel but there is still a lot of vacant spaces in there. I think KFC West is the coolest looking KFC I have ever seen!

[duluthian2008]

Where did you hear about the fourth Quiznos nateduluthnative? The only place I can think of would be on the lower Central Entrance area. West Duluth, East Duluth and Duluth Heights all already have one. Last year where currently Advanced Auto Parts Detail store, not to be mistaken with the chain "Advanced Auto Parts" which is only less than a block away from this store. But before they bought the little building that they are in now, F.I. Salter had it. They where going to build a 7,000 square foot strip center with two tenants. One had already signed on which happened to be Quiznos and the other space was till for lease. They trucked in a ton of dirt to make the site as flat as possible and then one day when I was driving by the sign was gone. I thought that it was just for construction. But then all construction stopped and the tiny building sat in the middle of the site. They never resumed construction and pretty soon Advanced Auto Parts relocated from their very large, nice building next to DQ down a half a block to this small not very nice building. To me it doesnt make any sense. But if I was to guess where Quiznos would be putting its fourth location it would be on lower Central Entrance. They had planned to at one time so I am sure they are still trying. Plus this location makes a lot of sense not only due to the very large amount of traffic on Central Entrance but also due to Central and Marshall being so close. Lots of students go to the Central Entrance eateries for lunch.

I dont have any information on the Spirit Valley center. Sorry.

I am very surprised with the West End KFC. I originally thought it would be like the East End remodel, except it would be a new building, but the same design. I was not aware of the new prototype until the new location opened. I think its great! Its the nicest one I can find in Minnesota! I love how its so modern and nice. I didnt feel like I was at a KFC.

I hope too that Pizza Ranch backs out. I dont think that many people would take to it as do smaller towns. I think they could get a nicer restaurant in there.

[nateduluthnative]

Originally Posted by Wood & Creek

Be careful what you wish for! I was born and raised in Stillwater, which was always a quaint beautiful town on the St. Croix River. It had a charming downtown and a small town feel, but nice unique resteraunts and businesses and great schools.

The past few years we've seen so much development. New huge condos bringing in hundreds of people from the cities and other burbs, chain upon chain store popping up along the highway, and cookie cutter developments sprouting up all over the place. All of a sudden I can't even drive down the side streets anymore because they're congested with traffic, you no longer know the people at the local pubs, everything starts changing and the whole small town feel and charm of the town is gone.

I desperately miss the way this town used to be before chipolte, buffalo wild wings, liberty village, the ugly river condos and super walmart came!! Leave the city in the city! I have no problem leaving my scenic river town and driving to the city for things I can't get here. Duluth is beautiful, keep it that way!!

I was in Stillwater acouple of months ago. Sure there is a lot of new development along 36, but Downtown has a lot of local businesses(besides Starbucks) and little vacancies, and most of its historic buildings are intact.