New stores coming to Duluth, anyone know of any? (Hermantown: thrift stores, relocate)

[skipast75]

Sounds like Duluth is getting some well needed renovations. And just so everyone knows, Sonic may be a great fast food joint, but it pales in comparison to the old A and Dubs in west end. As ugly as it is, it is still a Duluth one of a kind joint. To bad old Porky passed on, because Porky's on island lake was and forever will be my favorite drive in Burger shack. It's that sort of stuff I remember about Summers in Duluth. Driving 20 miles out of the way for a mean burger...

[skipast75]

Originally Posted by bbtrips

I can't even imagine how cool that would be to get a Barnes and Noble downtown! I've always thought this particular area could support it, and it would definitely be a catalyst for others in that area.

Yeah, the Justin Paul Salon is phenomenal - they should be very proud of that space. I guess what the article talked about was that the downtown merchants should 'think' in terms of being a lifestyle center, rather than transforming it into one. Thinking in terms of what niches they can create would probably really help them to formulate a plan for that area.

I've always thought that Downtown Duluth should be more for niche shopping, as opposed to 'mall' shopping. Typically, the people who like downtowns like niche type stores and more eclectic food and retail. Finding out what would spark an interest with people who would use it may prove very useful. A Barnes and Noble, along with maybe a Banana Republic, or similar (and a niche higher end chain restaurant) would definitely help to jump start that very quickly. Can you even imagine a Trader Joe's somewhere downtown? Or a marketplace (such as the one going into the Heritage Park development)? All cool type places that would be perfect for downtowns. I just keep thinking of downtown Boulder, CO, where they have fun restaurants such as Mongolian, etc.

Very interesting about the McCafe's - providing a bit higher end niche has definitely proven to work for them!

Downtown should always stay Niche shopping. There are Mall people and there are city people. City people love the sounds and traffic of downtown. They even love a little grime. And most of all, they like shopping at unique stores. And eating unique food. Mall people like air conditioning and MTV and whatever society tells them is cool. By keeping downtown unique, both areas will thrive and will compete with each other at a lesser level. I'm so glad downtown is finding itself again. I was impressed when I visited last summer... because when I was a little kid, Downtown was often times scary, and a place most people would stay away from.

[duluthian2008]

I could see that whole Tech Village area being home to stores like Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Cache, J Crew, Jos A Banks, etc. What a great area it would be if that happened!!

[duluthian2008]

The Maple Grove retail center has filled its last space with a tenant! Eyemart Express will be opening soon in the bottom level of the center next to Jenny Craig. It is a low priced vision store that sells every thing that a normal eyewear store sells.... but cheaper and quicker. Glasses can be made within an hour at this store. They are a chain of 79 stores in the Midwest... funny thing is is that we are the first Minnesota location. Looks like its going to be a nice store. Heres their website if you want it Eyemart Express (http://www.eyemartexpress.com/flash/index.php - broken link) Also I drove by and saw that the inside of the old Michael's space is being totally gutted. What does this mean?! Are the owners trying to make it more appealing or did they find a tenant? Anyone know? Any other news?

[knke0402]

Duluth's downtown is a lot bigger and more bustling than i had ever thought. I would like to see more shopping and retail as well as restaurants like Pizza Luce.

[newcastle]

Side track- Does anyone know why the Duluth Trading Co. is headquarted in a town in Wisconsin?

Back on topic-A book store like Elliot Bay Books in Seattle (great Chile) or Powells in Portland would be great. I would prefer an independent book store to another Barnes.

[newcastle]

BTW, check this out for Clyde Park: Clyde Park Duluth I hope they get a good anchor tenant.

[duluthian2008]

Maybe the owners liked Duluth so they decided to use Duluth as their name for their company... or maybe they use to live here.

Clyde Park really needs to update its website to be more professional. I really hope this site lives up to what has been proposed... if it did I would be there all the time. It seems so unique... nothing that Duluth or the area already has.

Anyone know whats going in Michael's old space?

[duluthian2008]

Does anyone know the restaurant that I guess has been signed on for the Residence Inn development?

[duluthian2008]

Just heard that Quiznos in Hermantown closed. I really dont know why it did. Anyone know? I am thinking it could be due to the loss of Menards for this long time period.