New stores coming to Duluth, anyone know of any? (Starbuck: vs, office)

[fromupthere]

Saw in the paper down here that Crystal-Pierz Marine is closing several stores including Duluth.

[dennyd]

Originally Posted by duluthian2008

So we are getting the new prototype?! Who did you hear this from? Does this mean they will do the exterior also? And does this also mean that they will be adding on 6,000 square feet.

I have a friend that holds an executive position at the store in Duluth and he found out the plans last week of the remodel. He said they will be getting more info next month, but the word is that the exterior will be new and more space will be added to the front right. Not sure on the square footage, but it will be considerable.

[bbtrips]

This is so exciting! So, does this mean they aren't really looking at the possibility of a SuperTarget somewhere in Duluth, DennyD?

[nateduluthnative]

Originally Posted by aluminumpork

I just got an email from from the Executive Director at the DECC, and it sounds like they'll be breaking ground on the parking ramp expansion in September and the new arena in March. According to him, all is still on track. I'm surprised that they'll be starting so late, not afraid of winter I guess?

It seems like 2008 has been a very disappointing year for commercial construction in Duluth. There is a lot of exciting new things on the drawing boards, but nothing happening yet. Examples: Duluth Hill, former Gander Mtn., Central Entrance hotel/restaurant, Vonjaro bldg., former KDLH site, VISI data center and still no tenants for the A&L Renaissance
development. I hope that this is only temporary and we should keep our fingers crossed, pray or do what ever it takes to make sure 2009 and beyond will be better. I hope that all the projects on the Iron Range, Murphy Oil in Superior and Cirrus and other Duluth businesses continue to expand because they affect retail, restaurant and office development. Having said that, I was in Duluth this weekend and the new stores in the mall look nice and the new Maple square looks nice and I talked to an employee at Nevada Bobs and he said that there isn't a restaurant going in there, the space was taken by something else. Can you tell me what that new building by Blockbuster Video is?

[nateduluthnative]

I really do think that K-Mart building has to go It makes the entire mall area look terrible

[ComeToDuluth]

We can talk about this forever, but whoever is managing that Kmart must be working through some corporate loopholes to stay open. For years now there are always hardly any cars there, surly not enough to stay in business and make a profit. Does anyone have some real financial figures on the store? It just seems rediculous that they are still there while we could have something bigger and better instead.

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by nateduluthnative

Central Entrance hotel/restaurant

At least the houses were torn down. That at least shows they own the land for sure and are somewhat committed to the project. I bet a lot of the hold ups are related to the coming highway construction.

[duluthian2008]

They are expanding on the right side? Wow this is great! I hope they add the signature Target "Tower" that they have been doing to their new stores. When you find out more please do let us know. I wonder if they will be replacing everything in the store?

New building by Blockbuster is a Dentist and also another retail space behind.

I have a feeling that the Residence Inn late construction isnt due to the road construction. The road construction wont go that far down. It will stop at the intersection by Cub. There must be something holding them up with the city.

I really dont know how Kmart is staying open. I just pray to god that they close soon and that they get rid of that entire eye sore of a building. It makes that area look so bad. Plus if we have a extremely nice Target across the street, that building will look even worse.

[duluthian2008]

I looked at the city minutes and this is what the outcome is with Target and MN Dot's battle. Looks good to me

08-0393R - RESOLUTION ISSUING A C-5 PLAN APPROVAL TO TARGET CORPORATION FOR RELOCATION OF DRIVEWAYS AND POLE SIGN, RECONFIGURATION OF THE PARKING LOT, SITE LIGHTING AND PARKING LOT LANDSCAPING/SCREENING AT THE TARGET STORE LOCATED AT 1902 MILLER TRUNK HIGHWAY. -- AMENDED & PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

[duluthian2008]

By the way I guess its a huge deal that we are getting a P2009 prototype here. I guess they are very, very, very nice stores and they are debuting in Minnesota only.