Thoughts about Miller Hill Mall (Minneapolis, Duluth: lease, Home Depot, tenant)

[roneb]

Just curious about "...just hope its a good store not a local store."

Can't a local store still be good and a high quality establishment? I know Portland is bigger and that makes a difference, but out here many of the shops/stores I enjoy the most ARE LOCAL. They bring a unique flavor and are frequently more responsive to customer requests. Just my experience here. I'm wondering if the local shops and stores in Duluth can be thought of in similar terms.

[aluminumpork]

[roneb]

I agree about local shops. We have plenty of good, high quality, well branded local shops here. A good healthy balance is what I'm hoping for. Chains have their place, and generally, they look a whole lot better (brand wise) and help to make a place like the Miller Hill Mall feel more modern and "hip" (which is also what I'm hoping for). I think duluthian2008 is talking about local shops that just don't care about their appearance, and have poor branding and signage (like a cardboard and Sharpie sign). I personally get excited when new chains open in Duluth because it shows major economic development and interest in the area.

[roneb]

Originally Posted by aluminumpork

[roneb]

I agree about local shops. We have plenty of good, high quality, well branded local shops here. A good healthy balance is what I'm hoping for. Chains have their place, and generally, they look a whole lot better (brand wise) and help to make a place like the Miller Hill Mall feel more modern and "hip" (which is also what I'm hoping for). I think duluthian2008 is talking about local shops that just don't care about their appearance, and have poor branding and signage (like a cardboard and Sharpie sign). I personally get excited when new chains open in Duluth because it shows major economic development and interest in the area.

Point well taken. When large national chains show an interest it usually is a sign of a healthy economy, or one headed in the right direction.

[duluthian2008]

Sorry roneb. I am not saying local chains are bad. Some are very very good in Duluth. But what I am saying some cant afford to be in the mall so they will be open for less than one month and then close. And some stores in the mall dont care about their image or what they are selling and they just put a sign up and say they are open. I think that the mall should be a place for chains. Canal Park can be a place local shops. I think they are two totally different areas. Local Stores are good, they are good when they are in the right area. Aluminumpork you were right on by what I meant.

[newcastle]

Hey, does anyone know if Vanjaro is still planning on building that 9 story office building downtown? If they do, I hope they make the exterior look more modern. The drawing in the paper looked somewhat like a 1970's throwback.

[newcastle]

As far as the mall is concerned, I think a parking ramp is in order and a second story. I cant' find anywhere to park no matter when I go up there. The exterior is a ghastly combination of old and new. JC Penny's looks like a monolithic structure from 3000 b.c. with the massive facade and skateboard half pipe type awning hanging off it. They really need to put in some design standards.

The mall serves way more people than the the immediate Duluth area, and can easily justify adding stores, and updating the exterior. It is just amazing how slow everything takes to get built around here.

[duluthian2008]

I agree a parking ramp should be built on the back side of the mall. Also an expansion with two levels should be built off of the DSW Wing and Game Stop entrance. The mall cannot be made into two levels, sorry. I already asked the mall manger that question. JC Penny really needs to remodel the exterior of our store to meet their new prototype standards.

[aluminumpork]

[duluthian2008] In regards to the Burger King closing, I just found out that some sort of chicken place should be going there, not sure which one specifically. Also, since there are no more burger places in the mall, there's a good chance that DQ will be going through a $200,000 remodel and changing over to a DQ Chill and Grill.

[duluthian2008]

Wow thank you so much aluminumpork! Thats really helpful. I wonder what kind of chicken place? I dont think it would be KFC and I also dont think it would be Chik-Fil-A. If you find out please do tell! Thanks a lot though. Do you know if the maybe renovation of DQ would mean getting rid of Orange Julius?

[Dangerous Dave]

Gee, seems like yesterday they were just renovating it. Y'know, the expansion with the food court and Sears. Guess I'm dating myself....