Thoughts about Miller Hill Mall (Duluth, Rochester: nicest, tree, requirements)

[nateduluthnative]

The Miller Hill Mall website directory lists Pretzelmaker as a future tenant. I rarely do hot pretzels, but Pretzelmaker is a major mall chain like Auntie Annies.

[duluthian2008]

I just saw that!!! That is great! Its interesting though because I know Auntie Anne's really would like to open in the Miller Hill Mall. We are one of their target markets. It says it is opening in the trade secret space... but I think they mistakenly put the wrong space number in. I would imagine that it is filling the Whitehall Space.

[duluthian2008]

Just read the Twin Ports Business blog and they had a post about Changes coming to Miller Hill Mall. It talked about Maurices moving back to its original location this month and about Champs moving SOMEWHERE between JCPenny and Younkers. Now I think we all know that Champs will be relocating in Buckles former space. But this also has me wondering if Champs has decided to move to the inline retail space in the redevelopment. Its far closer to the size of their store now and a few of us have seen mall construction workers taking out things from the redevelopment space. At first I thought they were clearing space for Five Guys and that that was the reason the dumpster was there. But that turned out not to be the case. The dumpster is still outside the redevelopment and everyday I drive by I see workers taking things out to it from the redevelopment. So it makes me wonder, are they cleaning up part of the redevelopment in order to start construction on Champs or a retailer for in the interior space? Or will Champs still be going where Buckle was... I'll have to email Champs and see what is going on. You would think that the mall manager would have been able to say were Champs would be locating if they were filling a former, currently empty space.

The article also ended with this interesting paragraph.

Martin would not elaborate on the nature of the deals, but said there are several new retail and restaurant establishments that could be offered in the near future.

Several new... this could mean a few as three or more than three. I think we already know two. Build A Bear and Pretzelmaker. They also could be referring to a restaurant they are trying to sign for the soon to be former Champs space. But they do say restaurant, so that makes me think that Pretzelmaker would not be included. Maybe The Great American Bar and Grill is going out of business and they have a new restaurant signed on for its space. Maybe they have some retailers who would like to locate in the redevelopment, former Gordons space, and Waldenbooks space. Or maybe they are preparing to announce the Eddie Bauer would be closing, although we do not know if they are for sure, and that they have a new retailer to take its place. The mall also could be announcing new food court tenants including Chicken Now. I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens over the coming months. Seems like lately there hasnt been a dull moment with the Miller Hill Mall. Happy Fourth of July weekend everyone!

[duluthian2008]

Went to the mall today and saw that Buckle was boxed out. I am not sure when this happened, but it ovbviously is for Champs. I did also noticed that the redevelopment box out has been repainted and a set of construction doors has been added on the wall next to Payless. Did the mall lease this spot?

[D_tuura]

have you not been to the mall in a month or something. the old buckle space has been closed off and constrution workers havebeen in there since the start of the new buckles opening

[duluthian2008]

I have been very busy lately and have not had a chance to get up to the mall. So yes, I had not been there in a while. I do know for a fact though that it was not boxed out immediately when Buckle opened in its new location. It took a few weeks. Makes me wonder if Champs is not going to do a very large remodel on the space if its only going to be boxed out for such a short time. They might do the same thing Buckle did when they moved into the space. They boxed it out for roughly the same amount of time Champs will have it boxed out and all they did was add a new sign and fitting rooms. I would think Champs would do a total remodel, I guess we will see when they open later this month.

[D_tuura]

I was at the mall yesterday and they unveiled the new champs and muarices. I like the look of the champs but it is small and they couldve utilized more length with it. The muarices was kindve boring. Nothing special. looked lik a kids store. i couldnt see inside but i hope it makes up for the exterior

[duluthian2008]

Hmm I will have to go and see the new storefronts for myself! Thanks for letting us know!

[duluthian2008]

Went to the mall and saw the storefronts. You are right on Maurices. It is nothing special, but it is still nice. I do like their signs. Champs is very nice. It now is the typical size of most of their stores. Our Champs was bigger than both of MOA's put together.

Also some something interesting. The first tenant for the redevelopment interior space. Yes you read correctly. The mall has leased part of the interior space of the redevelopment, that is the space where Buckle use to be before it moved to Sam Goodys old location. What retailer is going in? DRESS BARN. Not sure how happy I am about this... but atleast something is going in the redevelopment.

[aluminumpork]

Originally Posted by duluthian2008

DRESS BARN

This makes sense with Maurices and all. It'll certainly help lighten up that end of the mall. I'm not disappointed; I won't shop there but my girlfriend will.