Thoughts about Miller Hill Mall (Duluth, Victoria: tenants, theater, closing)

[duluthian2008]

What are you thoughts about Miller Hill Mall? What stores need to be added and what ones need to be removed? What needs to happen to the interior, exterior, etc, to make this mall even more successful?

[aluminumpork]

I would say their store lineup is pretty solid, and their new expansion really looks very nice. The inside is definitely due for an update in my opinion though. Feel slightly eighties - early nineties. With all of these stores closing and opening recently though, I've gotta wait to see what things look like when everything settles down. I also think the mall should invest in new signage. The current signs are the same ones that were used when the theater was in the mall, and now all that space originally used for movie titles, is wasted with useless info. The mall should also enact some sort of policy (or take care of it themselves, not sure how this works with tenants) that requires stores to fix they sign lights. DSW has been the DSW HOE WAREHOUSE for months, and even the mall's own building signs (above entrances) are missing tons of lights. Just makes it look tacky.

My two cents.

[duluthian2008]

I completley agree with you. The mall I guess does have a renovation in the works that would make it look like the DSW, Old Navy, Barnes and Noble and Schmidt Music wing. But they said it could be a few years before anything happens. The signage for the mall is really degrading. I have seen myself the DSW HOE Warehouse and I cannot believe that the mall lets all three exterior signs on the mall read that. Also, I did find it kind of dangerous one day when walking into the mall when I looked up and a piece of neon glass that made up the Miller Hill Mall sign was broken and dangeling. When I came back out of the mall it had broken off and shattered below. Also the malls tenants are really started to turn around. Macys has wanted to get into the mall for a while but still is unsuccessful. The redevelopment looks amazing except for one thing. Where are the tenants? Coldwater Creek is the only one currently open. Hollister is I guess opening in the interior part of the mall that was part of the redevelopment. Charlotte Russe is opening where Foot Locker and Deco Bay was. The space where Pams Hallmark is will become a Build A Bear Workship in the fall. Pams Hallmark may locate into the old Lady Foot Locker, but cannot at the moment due to Victorias Secret using it for a temp. space while they expand and remodel their store. Victorias Secret will take over the old Wilsons Leather store that just closed. Wilsons Leather currenly has no plans to reopen in Duluth, but they are looking. The old Birch Street Gifts store next to Wilsons Leather may become a new Vanity store. The old Vanity store I do not know what would be going in there. Copper Fox also closed, I do not have any idea what is going in there either. Also Burger King closed and also I do not know what will take its place. When I talked to the Foot Locker man before they closed to make room for Charlotte Russe they said that "The Miller Hill Mall has a new vision, it doesnt include us." He was almost angry when saying it. But I guess we will see how everything rolls out in the coming months. I do also feel that the mall must get rid of Eternal Sun, The Dollar Store, Z & Y Alterations and other local stores. The Alterations store may be able to stay do to it doing well. But I feel that mall really needs to look at its space and the best way to use it. There are I guess 30-40 Tenants still looking to locate at Miller Hill Mall. I also believe the mall must also have all of its tenants update their current stores to their current store prototype. I believe Miller Hill Mall is do for an expansion likewise. I do believe they have many possible ways to build one. Plus I think it would be good for the mall to renovate their exterior. If they made it modern looking and also create of the entrances to look like the redevelopments, both exterior and interior, I think it would boost the malls image greatly. This common from a customer of the mall, but who knows, the only people that do are the mall managers.

[aluminumpork]

Oh wow. I had heard from a friend that works the mall that a convenience store is being built in the new expansion area. Charlotte Russe is going where Foot Locker was eh? That seems strange to me that the Burger King closed. It seemed like they were just as busy as all the other foot court spots.

[duluthian2008]

Yeah I am pretty sure that Burger King closed becuase the Mall has a new tenant that is going in there. What is the convience store called I really want to know. Do you know?

[aluminumpork]

No one knows what it will be called. It isn't a chain I guess, but should make a nice Walgreens-ish place. Probably not as specialized though.

[duluthian2008]

Interesting. Isnt that the one thing our mall was trying to get rid of? Now they are putting it in again? Do you know if it will be nice? Do you know any other stores coming to the mall?

[aluminumpork]

You're more in the know than I am, you tell me Other than that, I know nothing about it.

[duluthian2008]

haha. I see. I just hope its a good store not a local store that slaps up a sign and calls the space home.

[duluthian2008]

Haha I see. I just feel that mall needs to do better. Find out stuff if you can.