Thoughts about Miller Hill Mall (Duluth, Woodbury: shop, business, cities)

[newcastle]

I changed my vote from Bell to Ness because when Bell debated Ness, Bell was awful and Ness sounded like he had a plan. A racist tool of fascism??? I didn't get that impression. I agree, crime has moved from Superior Street up to the "Cozy" and along to the Casino, and down to the Nor Shore. You can thank Rinsgred for two of those star properties.

I like the look of the Sheraton and I think that A&L is doing a nice job on remodeling the block from the Electric Fetus down to the antique shop.

Why have there been so many stores moving out of the mall?

[duluthian2008]

The reason for the large amount of stores moving out of the mall is that in 2008 the mall is putting into effect their new vision. The mall will be adding a large number of new tenants over the year, while also doing some changes to the mall. Victorias Secret is expanding into Wilsons Leather, Sephora is looking at opening in the mall, Crocs is looking at a full inline store, Pams may relocate to the old Foot Locker space due to Build A Bear opening in their current space, Hollister is opening in the interior of the redevelopment and Charlotte Russe is opening were Foot Locker and Deco Bay was. More stores will be announced soon, but this is the reason for so manys stores leaving the mall.

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by duluthian2008

The reason for the large amount of stores moving out of the mall is that in 2008 the mall is putting into effect their new vision. The mall will be adding a large number of new tenants over the year, while also doing some changes to the mall. Victorias Secret is expanding into Wilsons Leather, Sephora is looking at opening in the mall, Crocs is looking at a full inline store, Pams may relocate to the old Foot Locker space due to Build A Bear opening in their current space, Hollister is opening in the interior of the redevelopment and Charlotte Russe is opening were Foot Locker and Deco Bay was. More stores will be announced soon, but this is the reason for so manys stores leaving the mall.

I also got the impression (from you I believe ) that the mall has raised their rent significantly (up $500 or so I've heard). Maybe it's a disguised effort to push out the tenants that they didn't want.

Originally Posted by duluthian2008

Yeah I highly doubt that another Condo tower will be built in Duluth until the market changes. Also the Central Entrance building by the towers is offices. It will not start construction until a good amount of the building has been leased, and so far it isnt looking very good.

Well to be fair, I don't know of another planned condo tower downtown. The Vonjaro tower would be all offices with possible light retail at street level. Many of the areas would be large, full floor area with fews walls and other obstructions. Vonjaro sees this as a need to be filled downtown, as many of the current buildings offer only small offices, that are not very open.

There's a BusinessNorth article about the Vonjaro tower here: Business North

This is of course if the city lets it happen. It would involve destroying the original blood plasma center building, which is by many as a historic building.

We shall see.....

[newcastle]

"This is of course if the city lets it happen. It would involve destroying the original blood plasma center building, which is by many as a historic building."

There are enough people in Duluth who view every dumpy old brick building as historic and worth saving. I'm sure they have nothing better to do than file lawsuits and protest.

[duluthian2008]

I agree with both of you. I dont think another tower will be built in downtown for a while until the citizens of Duluth change their minds a little.

[duluthian2008]

But I think we should keep this blog more to the mall stuff. If you want to talk about this other stuff please do it on the New Stores coming to the Duluth area blog, do as you please, I dont mind where you write but others may.

[newcastle]

Speaking of the mall, I heard that the new food court place is going to be McDonalds. Yawn.

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by newcastle

Speaking of the mall, I heard that the new food court place is going to be McDonalds. Yawn.

Yawn indeed. So let's see, there are three possibilities I've heard in this thread. A "chicken place" (what I had heard), Arbys and now McDonalds.

[newcastle]

I was at the mall yesterday and heard two employees talking about the new Mcdonald's opening in the food court-it sounded like it was supposed to go in last weekend. So, my source isn't all that reliable, just idle gossip.

[duluthian2008]

It was suppose to go in last weekend? I doubt they can build a Mc Donalds in a weekend. I hope they dont just slap up a sign.