urbanMSP

Salmon colored? City center is brown/tan...not pink. Salmon would be even worse! But yeah, I hope this doesn't just sit empty like the other corner... It's kind of funny...as we see more residents downtown we seem to see less retail in the core. Hopefully that lag will catch up soon! Stores like office depot are definitely a dying breed though, so them closing isn't surprising. All of the empty retail space on Nicollet north of 7th is pretty sad looking.

The closing of Office Depot is actually a good thing and it may be strategic. It gives Shorenstein a large chunk of space to more easily reconfigure for a future tenant. I think the renovation of the Nicollet Mall side is a given. It's just a question of when. I also think it's possible (if not likely) they may already have some potential tenants they are courting.

I'd like to think you are right...but remember, the "large chunk of space" on the other very visible corner of the block has been vacant for many many years, and obvioulsy since they have owned it. They have done exactly zero with that. I'm hoping they are more agressive than the other landlords the building has had and actualy do something! We shall see.

I was able to see in the space on the other corner of the building last week and I was shocked by just how big it is. I'm guessing the size of it, along with no direct skyway access, makes it pretty hard to fill the space with one tenant.

It's possible that adding more retail space isn't the best way to fill existing, empty retail space.

We need to get past the idea of space as retail vs. non-retail. Ultimately, does it really matter? Heck, it could be a small office with low value add to the sidewalk if that's the current sub-market. But over time if it becomes valuable, it can become something that serves the sidewalk more.

and we're getting that big wahlgreens across the street. i'm curious and hopeful for that.

Article about Office Depot closing in City Center: http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/n ... osing.html. Shorenstein already has interested tenants in the space. Looks like they are gearing the retail to a different demographic than just office workers which I assume means they want to tap into the booming downtown residential population. I'm also hoping this means their plan to upgrade the exterior will coincide with the opening of the new retail stores.

I'm still hopeful that saks might end up in this space. They did mention a few months ago that they were actively scouting other locations downtown.

So just now Nick and I were standing on 4th St and 2nd Ave and a sweet old couple from Chicago asked us where they could find any businesses. They were walking around for a while trying to find a convenience store, so we sent them up to the skyways!

There's a small convenience store in the main floor of the IDS center (they sell my brand of poison).

I've been e-mailing Tesla multiple times for them to get a gallery in downtown. The current dealer in Eden Prairie is hard to find and basically unknown to everyone.

Minq boutique moving into IDS

Minq boutique moving into IDS

Cute clothes but VERY expensive. A friend of mine manages their social media.

Any new retail downtown is good news.

Also - walking around the warehouse district, noticed Shoesters is moving in next to C'est Chic in Whitney Square.

menswear store and restaurant expanding. this was a great rehab of that old building.
http://www.startribune.com/business/278075561.html

I came on to post this, I'm so excited to see them expand, it's a wonderful store.

http://www.journalmpls.com/news-feed/ne ... h-hennepin

If approved by the city, Nitelife would feature a mix of entertainment, including comedy, live music, poetry, burlesque, improv skits, mimes, magicians, aerialists, exotic topless dancers and circus acts, according to its license application.

7th and hennepin. they'll get the nba players after the games.

I can't open the link for some reason. This must be the old Chevy's spot? Funny that we were just discussing how crazy it is that it's sat empty this whole time.