Thoughts about Miller Hill Mall (Minneapolis, Duluth: costs, farms, properties) - Minnesota (MN) - Page 61 - City-Data Forum

pedro161 · 10-14-2009, 07:31 PM

So what's new at the mall? I was there today and saw that the old jewelry place next to Caribou is now a Halloween store. Anyone know is that just for this month or will it be each season after that? I hope not cause thats a nice spot for something much better.

nateduluthnative · 10-15-2009, 04:12 AM

Usually, at this time of year, malls are pretty lame as far as "coming soon" signs go. It all depends on whether or not a store had a good year if they open or close stores. After the holidays, you often see the most stores close in a mall. Then in spring you start to more coming soon signs in the mall. We all know what happened at the mall this past year, it eventually came back! I talked to someone at Build a Bear last week and he said the plans for a Duluth store are on hold.

bbtrips · 10-15-2009, 05:06 AM

A few weeks ago, I had a chat with a friend of mine. He happens to be a store manager for a retail outlet at the mall. I tried to get some juicy tidbits out of him regarding any possible redevelopment plans, etc, but he said there hasn't been much talk about anything major.

What he did tell me is that he talks to mall owners/managers every once-in-a-while. He said that the main corporate people quite simply laugh at our mall. They actually told him "can you imagine people in the Twin Cities putting up with a mall like this". He said they know it is not what it could be, but that they told him "we really don't have to do much with it, because people will still shop here." He said that they told him "that's all there is - there is no competition up here".

I was trying hard not to write about this, but it really bothers me. I have been a loyal shopper of the mall, but I can't stand that they take my business for granted. Shopping centers/malls in cities with much less population have undergone tremendous renovation/expansion. It makes me really frustrated to hear that the owners think of us like this. I understand that it's 'business', but I still think a major renovation would boost revenue.

What do you all think of the Miller Hill Mall? Is it time for a renovation?

aluminumpork · 10-15-2009, 10:41 AM

Well, in a way, corporate is right. There is no competition, and we have no choice but to patronize the mall if we want to shop at any of their stores. Why would they (from a business standpoint) want to improve the mall if doing so won't obviously increase revenue?

bbtrips · 10-15-2009, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aluminumpork

Well, in a way, corporate is right. There is no competition, and we have no choice but to patronize the mall if we want to shop at any of their stores. Why would they (from a business standpoint) want to improve the mall if doing so won't obviously increase revenue?

Yeah, I know what you mean. I guess it just bugged me that the corporate folks laughed at us. I honestly believe that by doing a redevelopment, they COULD get more revenue, though. Anyway, just wanted to get my thoughts down and see some of your thoughts.

newcastle · 10-15-2009, 06:29 PM

I have stopped shopping at the mall aside from Barnes and Noble. I drive to the cities for work often enough and just shop there or at the Outlet Center at Northbranch. There is only teenie bop stores and Grandpa stores at Miller Hill. The clothes stores suck, the restaurants are awful (aside from Coney Island), the feel is 1980's "Pretty in frickin Pink" and the lighting is sh**

BTW, they do put up with worse malls in the cities. Have you shopped at the Northtown Mall or Brookdale? They suck worse than Miller Hill. Brookdale lost, Penny's, Macy's, and Steve/Barry's. Their anchors are Barnes and Noble and Sears. Northtwon has a Homedepot and that's about it.

Rosedale is pretty bad too, but at least they have two floors-something the Miller Mall should do. If the Greendale thing develops (if that is what it is called), the mall will have some competition. Malls are dying and "Lifestyle Centers" are what the future holds for shopping and reinvestig downtowns. Even the malls are trying to get the "look and feel" of streetscapes.

aluminumpork · 10-15-2009, 07:05 PM

Aside from modifying the mall itself, I do think Miller Hill Mall would do well to build a ramp large enough for at least a quarter of the parking the front side (Miller Trunk side) provides and use the reclaimed land for additional out lots. It'd be a win win for them. They won't have to worry about redoing and keeping the parking turned out lot space maintained and smooth and they'll make additional revenue from the new retail space.

nateduluthnative · 10-16-2009, 04:36 AM

I, too, would love to see the mall renovated. But people have to accept the realities. Population issues aside, the median family income is lower than much of the midwest. Even the full-time skilled labor jobs pay less in Duluth than the cities(I've lived in both). Second, we are in the most severe recession since the 1930's, the value of the dollar is getting weaker by the day, and governments at all levels are spending and taxing the American People into obliveon(socialism has failed every time it's been tried). It is going to take years for things to get better. Duluth needs more manufacturing and high-tech private sector jobs in order for quality retail to be able to thrive! I hate to be the bearer of bad news(I don't like it either) but someone has to tell the truth. Duluth is lucky to be getting the stores and restaurants it is getting. Also, another twin cities mall that sucks more than Miller Hill is Maplewood. Even though it has a Macy's, it has no Abercrombie&Fitch,Eddie Bauer or Coldwater Creek. It's Applebees and Potbelly shut down and it's flooring is stuck in 1974!

D_tuura · 10-17-2009, 10:59 PM

Rosedale is pretty bad too, but at least they have two floors-something the Miller Mall should do. If the Greendale thing develops (if that is what it is called), the mall will have some competition. Malls are dying and "Lifestyle Centers" are what the future holds for shopping and reinvestig downtowns. Even the malls are trying to get the "look and feel" of streetscapes.[/quote]

I think rosedale is something we need. it is dated but so is miller hill but have been researching duluth/superior income and population statisics. Also the fact that we are the one of the most northern malls in the midwest. But what i have figured out is that Our mall could do alot better. if we got better stores like coach, express, swaroski,ralph lauren, apple, h&m i think they would do great up here..we just need younkers to start carrying better brands.

Plus even though we are in a recession i think it is nothing new to many of us northlanders.. every year construction workers, police get laid off durring certain months Preferebly winter..

pedro161 · 10-21-2009, 05:40 PM

So I was at the mall today and saw people in and around the old hallmark store. Looked like they were setting up a counter and computer. Anyone know what going on? Don't think its Build a Bear setting up.