Thoughts about Miller Hill Mall (Duluth, Rochester: month to, contractor, safe)

[duluthian2008]

Where is Aerie going? Is it taking Walden Books space?

I just saw the article in the newspaper about the mall and I cannot believe that this is happen. Walden Books, Gap and Mrs Fields all have left and are leaving. And it is also said that Limited Too and the Childrens Place are both closing. If those along with Gymboree close there will be no more children clothing retailers in the mall. What is happening?! The article said that Gap is leaving because of the nation trend... and we all know that is not true. Walden is leaving because the mall signed something with Barnes and Noble saying it can be the only book retailer at the mall. Simon is not being a very smart company. They will have a hard time leasing these spaces. Also on the thought of Gap someone said they had been doing very well and were planning a remodel! That means they are not closing because of the nationwide trend. I really dont understand Simon... you would think they would be doing everything to keep their tenants... not kick them out. I cannot believe that Mrs. Fields cookies already closed in Duluth! Was that even a year they were open? Great now there are three vacancies in the food court.... how are they ever going to fill them?

[pedro161]

When did Mrs. Fields close in the mall? I was there a few weeks ago and they were still open. Thats fast! At the rate Simon is going we are going to have another dead mall in Duluth/Superior area. I hope so nice new stores go in. It would also be sweet to see the Gap move downtown.

[duluthian2008]

I didnt know it closed either! I just read it online and heard from someone that when they were there in the last week it was closed. I really want Gap to relocate downtown and spark a new retail scene down there. I also hope the mall acts quickly with adding new tenants and filling the spaces.... and also adding some stuff that will attract more people and tenants... like a remodel.

[pedro161]

duluthian2008 - Yeah a remodel would be a welcome sight. I know there was talk of one but I have not heard of anything for a long time. I just want to go in there and knock some heads together. :-)
Hopefully it will all move downtown. I would be ok with that. all of Superior and first. :-) Alright i'm done.

[duluthian2008]

Yea I too remember back in early 2008 that the mall was saying they were planning one to happen in the next year or two. I highly doubt it will happen now being the mall seems to put no money in Duluth. I really cannot believe they are losing this many tenants. If they can fill them with better tenants then go for it! But when you have a brand new redevelopment sitting there for a year empty that isnt saying much for their leasing skills. Plus two of the stores closing are in the J.C. Penny wing... so the mall will continue you to lose stores down there and add nothing to attract people to that end of the hall. What if an anchor goes out of business? Hmm that could be possibly good for the mall though because it could add more retail space and they almost for sure would add another big box to the other side of the mall. That would be nice. But I dont think we need to lose a anchor right now. If Younkers agreed to build on the other side of the mall in order for their current space to be made into retail that would be great!

[aluminumpork]

Maybe these higher lease rates are part of an long range remodel plan? All of the new tenants coming in do have very attractive stores and the higher rates may help offset the cost of a remodel.

[duluthian2008]

TRUE! I never thought of it that way! The mall has to make money some how in order to pay for a remodel. And aerie does have a very attractive store... its a very cool design!

[duluthian2008]

ANOTHER ARTICLE IN THE NEWSPAPER!

aerie is opening next to Hollister in Gaps space, Buckle is opening its remodeled store in spring along with aerie, Limited Too is being converted to their Justice brand and Hallmark will open on January 16th! Great news to bring the mall back to life after their recent article! Guess Limited Too is closing! We are just getting a better brand! This makes me very happy. aerie must be only taking up a fairly large portion of the Gap space... Gymboree still is interested in taking the rest. The article didnt say where Buckle is going... I am curious to see where.

[duluthian2008]

Wow the newspaper really cares about the mall now I guess! Now they have a third article talking about how Aerie and Buckle will be taking all of Gaps space. I guess Gymboree is gonna have to look elsewhere to relocate in the mall.

[nateduluthnative]

This is great news! There was no mention of Build a Bear, Five Guys or Culvers-I assume those ones aren't set in stone yet. I have never heard of Aerie before, I'll have to take a walk through Maplewood Mall and Rosedale today(I live half way between them). Is there now three vacancies in the food court?