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

[duluthian2008]

Just found online that Walgreens has submitted plans for their 14,500 square foot store to be built in Kenwood and will soon be accepting bids for a contractor. They plan to start construction in June 2009... that is if they get the city to ok them to build in Kenwood against some residents wishes. The council will vote next month. Lets cross our fingers for a ok for Walgreens to build!

[pirate_lafitte]

Are there any jobs in Duluth now? I figure if there are new stores in Duluth, jobs have to come with it.

[duluthian2008]

It depends on the job you are looking for. No doubt there are jobs here but it depends if you are looking in the medical field, institutional field, retail field, etc.

[skipast75]

Here in Bozeman, the Downtown area is filled with local stores selling products not found in chain stores. It gives the city a very large dose of uniqueness, and class. The restaurants sell local organic meats, and vegetables. Duluthians need to eat at the local places more to keep it from being overrun with chain retailers. Chains stores and eateries rarely have the quality that is offered by local businesses. And tourists know that. It is why people here in montana would rather spend 40 bucks on a local black angus steak, then $20 on chinese cow at Outback steakhouse. Then you feed the local farmers as well. Local Organic if often accociated with Hippie, or tree hugger. But really, it should be accociated with common sense and pro business. Because it is better for you, the economy and requires less energy to get it to the retailer. Even the Mojito I drank last night had local organic mint grown in the Bozeman valley. I couldn't taste the difference, but felt better about the money I spent on it when I left.
Duluth has a distinct flavor like bozeman as well. With many struggling local establishments. Places that should be flourishing. But because the Chain store has a nicer Facade, it gets the local business instead. When in reality, the local guy spends the money on the product and the chain store spends the money on advertising and the pretty building in which it stands. That recipe usually equals a lesser quality product, and you can taste it........

[duluthian2008]

I think the problem is that there are not enough people in Duluth that would open the amount of stores needed that would be local. We already have a huge amount of local stores in downtown Duluth, actually a ton. There are far more local places downtown then there are chains.

Does anyone know if A & L is planning on continuing down Superior Street in renovating buildings?

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by duluthian2008

Does anyone know if A & L is planning on continuing down Superior Street in renovating buildings?

I've continually heard mention of them doing something with the old Muffler Clinic site. Some sort of "gateway" to the Lakewalk thing. Haven't much more past that.

[duluthian2008]

Gosh that entire street has so much potential to be such an awesome area. If they could get great retailers in there and renovate it all the way to the Sheraton it would be perfect. Get a theater in there for broadway shows and maybe add some more housing. I would be there all the time.

[bbtrips]

Did you all see the article in the DNT the other day, where a consultant said that our downtown severely lacked women's clothing stores? Also, they suggested making downtown into more of a 'lifestyle center' - it would be such an awesome place from Weiland to the Sheraton for such a reincarnation, wouldn't it?

Also, A&L said they would like to put a coffee shop in the renovated Weiland Hayes buildings, and eventually would house 5 retail businesses in the older buildings, in addition to the new buildings.

I know it would be a stretch, but getting a few outside companies to believe in an area like this could really help to provide the catalyst. Personally, I would love to see any size book store downtown (no, not THAT kind - haha).

[duluthian2008]

I did see the article. I am sure the Weiland Hayes block will fill up. Its gorgeous. The Justin Paul Salon is absolutely gorgoues. It has chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and is a perfect first tenant for the building.

I really would like to see a Barnes and Noble downtown... like Rochester. They have one at their mall and one in their downtown.

I could see this area becoming Duluths little Nicollet Avenue. I think a lifestyle center is a little stretch being they typically are brand new and are a lot smaller than a few city blocks, but they've got the right idea.

Also all the McDonalds in Duluth and Hermantown have started remodeling their counters for McCafe's. Central Entrances looks as though it will be the first to open in the area. Look for them in about a month or so. Currently every day of the week there is one sample item that a person can buy from the McCafe menu to give people a taste of what the new coffees and other drinks will taste like. I am quite surprised by how nice these little additions area. They cost around $100,000 per store to add a McCafe, expensive huh? Best part is that its mandatory for all McDonalds to have one in a few years.

[bbtrips]

I can't even imagine how cool that would be to get a Barnes and Noble downtown! I've always thought this particular area could support it, and it would definitely be a catalyst for others in that area.

Yeah, the Justin Paul Salon is phenomenal - they should be very proud of that space. I guess what the article talked about was that the downtown merchants should 'think' in terms of being a lifestyle center, rather than transforming it into one. Thinking in terms of what niches they can create would probably really help them to formulate a plan for that area.

I've always thought that Downtown Duluth should be more for niche shopping, as opposed to 'mall' shopping. Typically, the people who like downtowns like niche type stores and more eclectic food and retail. Finding out what would spark an interest with people who would use it may prove very useful. A Barnes and Noble, along with maybe a Banana Republic, or similar (and a niche higher end chain restaurant) would definitely help to jump start that very quickly. Can you even imagine a Trader Joe's somewhere downtown? Or a marketplace (such as the one going into the Heritage Park development)? All cool type places that would be perfect for downtowns. I just keep thinking of downtown Boulder, CO, where they have fun restaurants such as Mongolian, etc.

Very interesting about the McCafe's - providing a bit higher end niche has definitely proven to work for them!