Rushmore Crossing at Rapid City (Sioux Falls: salon, 2009, to live)

[Jammie]

Andy, so glad you joined us.

[NEVAstopGamer]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I actually have lived in Black Hawk (just outside rapid) for my entire life.
So a small update on Rushmore crossing: they are finally putting up the stop light polls and getting ready for the la-cross street access road. There was an article on the Rapid City journal website saying that phase one should be finished by the beginning of October of this year, and we should be shopping over there by then. I work at the Rapid City Wal-mart, but I have no idea if they are making progress at getting land for another store in rapid. I imagine it is a priority, as the current Wal-mart is ranked 3rd in the company in volume.

[DannyBanany]

Welcome to the forum NEVA! It's good to have yet another West River member!
I have heard that WalMart got the go ahead to build a second location up on Highway 16 then I have heard that it is not true. BusySW, another member, says that Sam's will be relocating into a new facility near Cabela's sometime in the future. I personally think we could use another WalMart but I can see why some people on the southside are against it.

Maybe if they put it in Rapid Valley instead then that would deter people coming in from the Reservations and in Rapid Valley. With all the new building going on, people from the southside will have to commute north anyway!

[Jammie]

Hi Neva, I echo what Danny said~Welcome to the forum!

[BusySocialWorker]

an update from this am's paper:

With construction crews still hard at work, signs are already up for Target and T.J. Maxx. Shoe Carnival, David's Bridal, Petco, Michaels Hobby, Gordman's and Dress Barn have sign permit applications pending with the city, according to Marcia Elkins, the city's growth management director.

A site plan posted on the Web site for Katz & Associates, the firm hired to market Rushmore Crossing to tenants, also shows a fully executed lease with Linens 'n Things.

Small said the west half of the Target wing, including the new Scheels All Sports store, will open next spring.

[DannyBanany]

Thanks for the update Busy! I drove by again today and Target had a banner that read "Opens October 19th" and Cabela's read "Opening August 4th". Furniture Row is also coming along very quickly and landscaping is underway.

Also, Anamosa Street will be finally connecting North Street and LaCrosse Street. We've only waited 10 years for that, huh?

[Chris19]

I guess that I should make another quick trip out to Rapid and see this excitement. When I was out by Rapid, I stopped at Flying J and took the Heartland Expressway down to US 18, going to Wyoming. Drove to Salt Lake City that day and time was of the essence.

[andyroo]

I think the october 19th banner for Target is for the grand opening. I know that the old Target closes october 7 and the new one opens october 8

[PlanetZ7]

Originally Posted by DannyBanany

The Rushmore Mall was built in the late 1970s and the Cafe Court wasn't added until around 1994 because it used to be a movie theater. I remember seeing Mrs. Doubtfire there when I was little and I thought it was the coolest movie ever!

IMHO, the Rushmore Mall will be torn down in a few years and home sites will be put in its place. I just don't see the Rushmore Mall flourishing after losing some of its main tenants and having such large competition just down the Interstate. I wonder if retailers near the Rushmore Mall like Kohl's, Best Buy, Border's, PetSmart, Hobby Lobby, and Someone's in the Kitchen won't move closer to Rushmore Crossing in the future too.

With the construction of the city-bypass, I predict more retailers becoming attracted to Exits 61, 61, and even southside Rapid City.

Danny, I have to disagree. I think your picture of doom and gloom of the present and future of the Rushmore Mall couldn't be further from the truth. There is no way the Mall will be torn down in a few years. It's still such a major shopping destination in West River South Dakota that it's just not going to happen even if Rushmore Crossing is a success which it more than likely will be. I don't go to the Mall often, but when I go I make certain to avoid going during the weekends. I go during the weekdays and there is a very considerable amount of people shopping even then. The Rushmore Mall is not and will not be considered a "dead" mall for years to come. While the mall might have areas in need of some more excitement it's only I'd say a small percentage (near Herberger's and Penney's). The area from RCC Western Store to Target and Sears is always packed full of people. We need a Cinnabon or something similiar to replace 4U cinnamon rolls closing a few years back though! ;-)

Here's something to think about. Where will the people go when the freezing cold temps of a Dakota winter hit? Hmm, would you rather go to a "lifestyle" outdoor shopping complex and freeze your tail off running from store to store or a warm inviting mall? The choice is clear to me. What about Christmas shopping? The mall is so packed during the holidays it's impossible to avoid crowds during that time of the year. During the summer is when I might think about worring about the mall, but as was already mentioned here we get a ton of tourists and they make up for the lack of locals during the summer.

Another interesting note is that the Rushmore Mall is managed and owned by people who know what they are doing. Macerich is well know for their successful malls all throughout the US. They know the mall needs to stay "hip" and "current" and they are doing that all the time. There have been a lot of upgrades that I have noticed. Seats have been replaced or freshly painted over, signs and accent features have been replaced, a new kids play area has been added. A brand new "big" interstate sign was added a couple years ago. A new security and customer service counter was added at center court.

What the mall needs to do is to have new tenants in place just as soon as they move. No plans have been mentioned, but I bet they will find replacements. Even if it takes them a while the mall isn't going to be hurt by a couple vacancies.

Danny, if you want to see what a "true" dead mall looks like you need to check out, deadmalls.com, where else? ;-) The Rushmore Mall isn't on the list and they won't ever probably be as well... Unless of course Sears and Penney's pulls out, but I think we know that's not going to happen anytime soon.

[PlanetZ7]

Originally Posted by DannyBanany

The Rushmore Mall was built in the late 1970s and the Cafe Court wasn't added until around 1994 because it used to be a movie theater. I remember seeing Mrs. Doubtfire there when I was little and I thought it was the coolest movie ever!

Yeah, that was a fun theater, I can still smell the popcorn from within the mall! It was a United Artists theater I believe.



Actually there has always been a Cafe Court at the mall. Before they tore down the theater it was in an L shape located just across from the theater. Don't you remember the huge red neon "Cafe Court" sign that used to grace both entrances to the court? I always thought it was a shame when they didn't bring back just one to the new court, but they opted for that light blue, very early '90's look of neon. It has of course since been taken away. Let's see if I can remember some of the tenants to the old Cafe Court. First comes to mind was Orange Julius, A&W, Spuds and Stuff, a Chinese or Japanese fast food counter, Cookie Nook, hmm, I also remember the old arcade in the corner, if I remember right it was called the Land of Oz. It later became an Aladdin's Castle. There was a store called Socks Etc, that sold, you know. Can anyone think of any others?




Does anyone remember the old clock tower that used to be out in front of Scheels? Lewis Drug and Casual Corner were there when the clock tower was. I remember coming to the mall as a teenager with my family and we would always say to meet back at the clock tower at such and such a time. It was the best reference point in the whole mall. It was a shame when they took that away as well.