New stores coming to Duluth, anyone know of any? (Cloquet: college, casino)

[duluthian2008]

bbtrips I am so happy that this thread is actually serving a purpose! I am just like you, I started these threads because I was wondering about the retail in the area and I wasnt expecting anyone to reply. Well I was proved wrong, with over 150 posts and over 7,000 views I guess other people are like us!

The information you gave was great! I didnt know about Olive Garden at all! I was wondering about how well they were doing and if they were going to open a second location. Did he sound like opening a second location would definantly happen in the future? Downtown or Canal Park seems like a great place to open one! Weiland Hayes block would be perfect for them! I dont know where they would find a space in Canal park but I am sure there is a space! Actually there could go in the corner of the Hells Kitchen building.

Another hearing of BWW coming to Duluth!! Great! My sister is one of three directors of real estate for Regis and she often is looking at centers to open new stores in. I find many things through her and this is one I heard from her. She said that they have been looking in the Miller Hill Mall area for a long time and that they have found something. It seems as if they would be locating in the Gander Mt building. But its not for sure yet, we'll just have to keep an eye on the news article regarding the new tenants of that redevelopment.

Superior Crossing is truly a development that randomly "popped up!" I am very curious about the tenants they are going to get! I didnt think about Cabelas, that would be a perfect fit being they are looking for an outdoors retailer. But I want to know what shops and eateries and other big box stores they are going to get! If they say people are willing to drive to Cloquet from Duluth and that there is enough of a demand for retail in Cloquet, I only wish them the best. Plus almost 700,000 square feet of retail, who couldnt be happy? Its like a dream! I hope this project keeps going and actually does get built!

Keep watching the thread for more news about all of this!

[aluminumpork]

Great news on the Olive Garden. My girlfriend and I have been hoping for a second location closer to the lake for quite awhile. The mall location is too busy. Every time we go, we go on Friday nights, and we wait no less than 60 minutes every time. They need a second location, I can't imagine the amount of business they lose because of not being able to serve people fast enough!

[duluthian2008]

My family and I often dont go to Olive Garden due to the wait. There are so many other places that have a wait of less then 20 minutes. It seems that every time we are there we spend atleast and hour, like you said aluminumpork, just sitting and waiting for a table. A second location would be great!

[aluminumpork]

And that's even if I can sit! It's ridiculous having that kind of wait time and having 2 couches and no chairs. People sit on end tables. I've found putting the waiting doohickey in my car and walking over to Home Depot a good time killer

[bbtrips]

I sure am glad that you did start this thread. You're not going to believe how I found it! I was googling the "Koehler Company" (the ones doing the project in front of Cub Foods) to see if they have FINALLY announced the restaurant that will be going with the Residence Inn. Well, after reading all your posts, it sure doesn't sound like it. What are they waiting for????

The Olive Garden manager seemed very excited about another restaurant in town. He said that they told him they would jump at the chance to do another IF there was a suitable location (would love to see it in Weiland Hayes or Canal Park). He also said that they have been so happy they decided to put one in Duluth. I know what you mean - this place is still thriving. Everyone said the thrill would wear off, but I genuinely love the experience of eating there and so do many others. The one thing I like about it is the consistency. Everything I go there - I find it relaxing, fun and the food always great. SOOO, if OG can come into this town and want two locations (who would have thought a few years back, huh?), why don't others like Chile's, Red Robin, TGI Friday's, etc JUMP at the chance. It's like pulling teeth to get them to believe in this town.

Several months back, I emailed A&L about their Weiland Hayes block project. I told them they should get something 'buzzworthy' down there, such as Cheesecake Factory or something else trendy. I really see the area from Lake to Sheraton becoming trendy and awesome. Very exciting!

Here is my wish list for Duluth
Red Robin
Fuddruckers
Cheesecake Factory
TGI Friday's
BWW
Don Pablo's or On The Border
Macaroni Grill
Panera
And the rest of them too!

That is so cool that you know someone who finds out some stuff. I was just lucky enough to be in the right situation. Must drive my wife crazy because I'm always asking store personnel and managers stuff

I'll have to post on the Miller Hill Mall thread, too - but would be soooo cool to see some new storefronts (restaurants) out front. Out with the old and in with the NEW!!

Talk to you soon....and thanks again for starting this thread

[duluthian2008]

Thats really interesting! I know by searching for things through google about retail things and Duluth, this threads shows up randomly. I am really curious to see what the restaurant will be. It seems like T.G.I. Fridays would be perfect for the site and area. Chile's really isnt expanding at the time and Don Pablos is actually making an exit out of the state, their current stores in the cities are being bought up by different companys, most of them by BWW. Also I really want to know when the trees will be cut down and the physical work will start on the building! Plus I want to know how the site plan will look! Will the restaurant be to the side of the hotel or will it be directly on the corner? Hopefully this information will be coming out soon.

I am so happy that you let us know about Olive Garden, that one would have slipped by us if you wouldnt have commented. That really doesnt surprise me. I always had this thought in the back of my head saying they should open another but I never thought they would even look at the chance! Well I was proven wrong!

I have had that exact same thought about that whole Lake Avenue to Sheraton section of the downtown becoming a trendy spot! I always have wanted that to happen! I also emailed A&L about the Cheesecake Factory and other various higher end restaurants, such as P.F. Changs. But the problem is they are so strict about the storefronts that I dont think they would take the time to go into a renovated building. But A&L has already said they plan on remodeling the buildings all the way down to the Sheraton! I think this area will look very nice when its done! Plus I could see some more skyscrapers coming on that block with hotels. I would love to see the Norshor theatre once again become a theater. It would be nice to have a theater like that that could hold Broadway shows and various venues. I guess it would be nice to have our own "Theatre District" like Minneapolis has. I really hope that area becomes a nice area, its off to a great start.

Here are my comments on your list
Red Robin: There is definantly a chance of coming to Duluth and I could see it coming
soon.
Fuddruckers: Another place I could see coming soon, this is when Duluth lightens up on its liquor licenses and also development process though.
Cheesecake Factory: It would have to be in a very nice area with lots of foot traffic and very heavy night life. Downtown Duluth would be good, if Miller Hill Mall got an AMC I also could see them going there.
T.G.I Fridays: They are almost certainly coming in the next year or so.
BWW: I guess has signed on for a space.
Don Pablos: Exiting Minnesota, no chance
On The Border: Their parent company is not doing too well at the moment and is actually closing many stores, so maybe one day in the future.
Macaroni Grill: As much as I want this place to come to Duluth also, they happen to be owned by the same company as On The Border who isnt doing very well at the moment and is not expanding, but closing locations.
Panera: I guess there have been countless scouts up here for a location. Only time will tell.

Yes please do post on the Miller Hill Mall thread! It may not be very busy right now but in a few months when more things happen with the mall it will be busy.

Thanks and your welcome!

[bbtrips]

That is such awesome news about A&L wanting to redevelop the area from Lake to Sheraton. I think it would be fantastic, trendy and extremely popular! I totally agree regarding the Norshor - I remember going to movies there as a young child, and it was fantastic! An active theater there (other than what they have now - hahaha) would be a tremendous asset. We just need to find someone with the bucks that believes in this emerging area.

Say, you mentioned in previous posts about Texas Roadhouse. SOOO, I searched for texas roadhouse, duluth, mn in google and came up with an internal webpage - in use for employees to make suggestions. On this page, it has a pulldown of store locations, and little old Duluth, MN is on there!

TRH Innovation Submission Form1 (http://portal.texasroadhouse.com/Innovate/Form1.aspx - broken link)

Not sure what that means, but it's cool to see it on there Any update on the construction start time and what else may be going in there other than the possible Culvers?

Thanks so much for commenting on the restaurant list! I wonder if there is any national Mexican food chain doing well? Maybe Chevy's? They are good!
Would love to see Red Robin.

Also, I looked into the company that is doing the Superior Crossing project, and I see one of the companies they represent is Ruby Tuesday! I could definitely see one with this project, couldn't you? Do you think it will be a lifestyle center? The square footage is actually more than Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove. Really wonder if there will be a Super Target and a Lowes, perhaps? Wish we knew more about this project. One of my co-workers really believes it is Cabela's as the outdoor/sports thing.

I know I am getting long-winded, but this is sooooooo fun. Who needs alcohol when you have this thread

Have you ever thought how cool it would be to have a completely revamped Fond du Luth downtown? A while back, I heard that they had plans drawn up for a possible big project there, but that they were going to concentrate on Carlton for now. I've always thought it would be cool to see a highrise hotel with a big name, and the casino incorporated into it. They could build behind through the alley into the first street lower side as well. Just dreaming here, but can you imagine a Caesar's Palace Know that would never happen, but it's fun to dream! Hey, even a Hilton or another upper crust hotel would be awesome.

I had heard that the former Mayor Doty bought the building(s) east of the Weiland - Hayes project (the white one). Wondering if he is planning on working with A&L to redevelop this area?

Anyway, thanks for letting me ramble on - talk to you soon!

[bbtrips]

Anything new on the BWW?

I found this interesting tidbit and thought it might be of interest to someone:
buzz.duluth

[aluminumpork]

bbtrips:

That's interesting that their list already lists Duluth as a store location, before we actually, you know, have a store. I also heard rumors for quite awhile that Fond Du Luth has wanted to renovate for quite some time. Although it's still a casino, a new, shiny casino would certainly spiff up the block a bit!

You know what I would LOVE to come, a Dave and Busters. Now that would be great.

[duluthian2008]

If the Casino remodelede and included a hotel that would be great! Also I thought Dave and Busters would have been perfect for part of the Gander Mt space. I think Super Target would locate in Duluth before Cloquet, just like Lowes, but hey Cloquet did have the first Papa Johns in the area.