New stores coming to Duluth, anyone know of any? (Maple Grove: to buy, cabin)

[ozzie679]

Another restaurant bites the dust in SC. The Salad Bowl closed today.

[duluthian2008]

Am I the only one thats really wondering about the Residence Inn project? It seems like it is taking an awfully long time to start. There has been no site clearing either or an announcement of construction start or anything. Does anyone have any news on this project? I am starting to get worried that it might not happen.

[bbtrips]

I was starting to think the same thing - I hardly want to drive by that site anymore.

So, when I saw Duluthian's last post, I thought I would do some 'googling'.

Here's what I found:

CMRA: Properties For Sale

It looks like they have not yet sold the restaurant pad, but if you click on the picture for this property, you'll see a fascinating pdf file of the project. I saw one other article that said they would be starting construction next year. Very hot property if you ask me, so I bet they will sell it for sure! May have to axe the price a bit, though.

Also, it says that the Ground Round site has been reduced.

Hopefully this is still a good sign. Maybe they just thought they would wait a while longer to see if the pad sold before going ahead with the Residence Inn construction?

[duluthian2008]

What would we do without you BBTrips!!!! The one thing I wanted was to see the site plan for the Residence Inn and finally you found it!!!! I thought they would have had more of the flat side of the building facing Central Entrance... I guess I was wrong. I am very excited for this Residence Inn. They just introduced a new prototype and we will be getting one of the new ones of this prototype. The prototype is very, very nice! Thanks BBTrips!

This is the newest prototype.

By the way, I would not be surprised at all if the Ground Round site was bought and also the Verizon Building was bought and all of that was torn down and a strip center or two restaurants were built there. That site has a ton of potential.

What about a T.G.I Fridays for the restaurant site at Residence Inn?
Here are the building types and renderings.
http://www.tgifridays.com/franchise/..._Submittal.pdf
Too bad the site is too small for any of those types of buildings. They could build in Duluth Hill though. Duluth Hill does have one other restaurant site open at the moment. The 8,000 square foot site was taken by Texas Roadhouse, but there is another 6,000 square foot site available. This site would be perfect for the largest T.G.I. Fridays restaurant, pictured at the top of the site the link brings you to. And actually after reviewing Ground Rounds site their site is actually 1.63 acres so they could have either one of the two 1.5 acre site plans built. It would be really nice to see a T.G.I. Fridays on that main corner. That would be such as nice building and it would really make that corner standout. I love the new design of T.G.I Fridays.

Did anyone know that the Checker Auto Parts store is closing on Central Entrance??? I just found it out today. Welsh Companies has the site listed, which means they must be expecting some activity on the site because that is a very large leasing company to have representing your building. The building is close to 15,000 and Welsh says it will be available on October 5th. I am really surprised. I always thought that Checker Auto Parts did well. They always seemed to be busy. I wonder if they are planning a new location somewhere else? I also am thinking that Welsh might have trouble leasing the building due to the little amount of parking. But then again it is in a very busy area. Is this a possible site for Quiznos?? I have a feeling they will be looking at part of the space. Think of how many tenants can go in that building, that a big building. I really am interested to see what comes out of this.

[aluminumpork]

I don't think Checker Auto Parts itself does very well. Allstar Service Center next door is what provides all the activity in that parking lot. Allstar Service Center is owned by the brother of the same guy (family) that owns Duluth Motorsports (also next door). I don't know how that building is sectioned off, but I haven't heard of any plans about the service center closing.

As far as the Residence Inn, I actually found an email for the Koehler Organization of SD (they don't actually have a website) and I emailed them about the project. I have yet to hear back from them, but the link BBtrips found was very helpful.

[bbtrips]

Thanks everyone! I was super excited to find it, too! It's kind of like getting a new toy for your birthday when you were young, isn't it? hahaha

The prototype looks awesome, and I think it will really clean up that area. The Fridays prototype looks awesome, too - sure wish it would have fit into that RI spot. I almost wonder if Culvers would do better at the Residence Inn project, as opposed to Duluth Hill (if it's still on up there?). That would free up some space up on Duluth Hill, right? Seems like Duluth Hill would be a great place for more sit down type restaurants.

Yeah, that is very interesting about the Checker spot! I bet a LOT could be done with that side of Central Entrance - all the way down to the Papa Johns area.

[duluthian2008]

The service center is also closing. The entire building will be available by October 5th. So all of it will be open. I really am confused why this happening. I emailed the leaser of the building, so what I find out Ill let you know.

I love the prototype too. I dont think Culvers is really the type of restaurant they are looking for for the RI space. Although it would have great visibility and easy access, plus it would be on the main strech. But usually with these types of developments the restaurant is usually sit down, being most likely a large amount of its customers will be drawn from the hotel. Not a bad idea though, but I dont think that will be the case. Plus the Duluth Hill site actually as a pad site that is set aside for only a fast food restaurant. So that is what Culvers will/would be taking if it locates in Duluth Hill. There are still another full service restaurant site available, that site is in addition to Texas Roadhouse who already took up the larger space.

Haha I know exactly the feeling you are talking about.

[fromupthere]

Perhaps Checker's closing has something to do with the fact that they were bought out by O'Reilly's. Of course I have no idea how they were doing at that location, but I have to wonder if there isn't some connection to that purchase.

[duluthian2008]

Very nice Weiland Hayes article in the Duluth News Tribune. They actually of a lot of retail space to fill. I hope that "tentative" retailer is a restaurant. That would really draw people down to that block.

[duluthian2008]

Is the Walmart Supercenter in Hermantown totally dead? I was just thinking about how nice they have become and how it would be very nice to have one and I couldnt remember if the project was completely dead or not.