urbanMSP

Ok, back to the Nordstrom's rumor. I just want to say really, really dislike underground retail. To get another department store back and fill the prominent GAP space? Fine, I'll take it. But I'd much rather Nordstrom's take the Banana republic's space above it instead and have BR move to Gaviidae. I walk by Marshall's every day, and to be honest it might as well not be there. There's no way to window shop when you go through the doors and immediately have to descend into a not-so sterile white shopping experience. Whatever department gets stuck down there for Nordstrom's won't do well, IMO.

That Marshall's seems to do pretty good business. I also shop there all the time.

But in a related vein, I went in to Saks today from the skyway level and for some reason didn't see where the interior escalator was to get down to the men's department. Thought it was strange that there didn't seem to be one. Having taken the atrium escalator down, I learned that I'm just blind, but still.

Anyway, I'll let Nordstrom Rack make its own decisions about whether part of its store is below grade.

It isn't a department store or a Nordstrom's....but a Nordstrom Rack. Their answer to an Off Fifth, or a more upscale Marshall's, and I would gladly take it!

If Nordstrom Rack does take the IDS space, they'll have a fairly significant presence on the street level, not just the escalators down like Marshall's has.

I know that. Just pointing out the problems with the other half of their space.

Most department stores don't have any windows anyway, so I guess I'm not sure why it matters if it's in a basement or on the third floor.

Sports authority will put all its stores up for sale, including the Nicollet mall store.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/m ... uptcy.html

I wonder what happens if there are no takers?

Even though they probably won't go for the suburban stores where they're usually already just down the road, I could maybe see Dick's grabbing a ready-made downtown store.

Hopefully whoever buys it puts a little more thought into what an appropriate product mix for a smaller downtown location would be, instead of SA's apparent strategy of just cutting all their departments in half and sticking everything in. For example, I'm not convinced it makes sense to have a full aisle of football gear and another full aisle of hockey gear downtown, leaving room for only half of a rack of bike accessories. We'll see, I guess.

Well, that didn't last long: Now they're closing all stores (Sports Authority, that is): http://www.forbes.com/sites/lauraheller ... a9703d2203

Well, that didn't last long: Now they're closing all stores (Sports Authority, that is): http://www.forbes.com/sites/lauraheller ... a9703d2203

The article has been corrected. They are liquidating. Whether a given store closes depends on whether someone wants to buy it and operate it.

Big Brain is closing

http://m.startribune.com/final-chapter- ... 378328761/

Milkweed is opening a bookstore on Washington.

http://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/05/10 ... -bookstore

Nordstrom Rack deal is imminent. Could open by next Spring,

http://www.startribune.com/nordstrom-ra ... 378875891/

Excellent

I wonder if they'd be better off opening at City Center, replacing Sports Authority and building on what's already there with Saks, Brooks Brothers, Len Druskin and Marshalls. It might be moot now, but what do you think?

It probably would be better for them to be right in with those other stores, but at the same time, they're only across two streets, so I don't think it'll hurt them too much.

I'm also still hopeful that one of the other sporting goods stores will take a chance at a downtown store. We'll see.

I am surprised there isn't more reaction here....of course a lease hasn't officially been signed....but I would say this is probably the biggest "get" for downtown Minneapolis since Target. A popular national retailer, with fairly large stores, that has never been in the downtown market before! Compliments the Off Fifth store as well. It is like a downtown outlet mall! heh.

Oh, I was too busy preemptively putting full holds on all my credit cards to type a response.

Perfect!

Just what we need, another bargain bin for the riff raff downtown. Why can't we get some nice stores for a change? I guess we should start calling it Nicollet Outlet Mall.