Downtown Minneapolis Retail News

[Mdcastle]

We're just figuring out now that large downtown department stores are a dying retail configuration? Thought that was obvious back in the 90s. Or at some point after Southdale was built.

[John]

Well, maybe not as dead as we think. Uniqlo is moving into downtown Seattle in the vacant Macy's department store space: https://secretseattle.co/uniqlo-downtown-seattle/. In another article I read, it stated Uniqlo is well aware of downtown Seattle's issues from both the pandemic fallout and public safety (not unlike Minneapolis), yet they are enthusiastic about their new store being a success. They did add security measures to make the experience of shopping there safer. Attitude is everything

[mnmike]

Not sure if this really belongs here as it’s just kind of a comment on downtown retail in general… But here’s something interesting. A subsidiary of IKEA has bought this 250,000 square-foot mall that was developed in downtown San Francisco in 2016, and has been entirely empty ever since. That was a big developer fail… It’s on a pretty rough part of Market Street, and downtown San Francisco is really struggling in general, at least by SF standards. There’s still tons of retail, but a lot has left, and the same social/economic Issues you’ve been seeing in Minneapolis are present times 10. This is kind of a creative concept, And seems like a good fit for an existing downtown mall type thing… I’m not sure if there are any other urban format, IKEA stores? I’m sure there must be a couple in the US? Beyond just taking a big box store into an urban format, and doctoring up in “urban mall”, It’s also sort of a unique to this country concept… Basically an IKEA mall/experience? Even the company developing it hasn’t really put anything like it together. Hopefully it will be a draw if it’s done, right…

https://news.theregistrysf.com/ikea-kic ... %EF%BF%BC/

[John]

Excellent idea mnmike! Ikea and Uniqlo are both examples of retail chains that are entering downtown markets at a time when so many are leaving. They see opportunity where others just can't make it work for a variety of reasons.

Mayor Frey has started a workgroup to study attracting retail to downtown. Anyone with ideas/suggestions should write some of the members with their suggestions: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/news/2022 ... workgroup/

[amiller92]

Aside from Sam Newberg, that list of members is pretty concerning. Hope they don't recommend free parking and wider streets.

[alexschief]

I have no doubt that many of these people are smart and care deeply about the success of downtown, but you've got to wonder about the purpose of a working group made up of the same people who have held power and influence downtown for decades. Surely most of these people already know each other and are in regular communication. Surely most already enjoy the ability to act upon their best ideas.

So what new connections will this working group make? What kind of coordination will it be able to coerce? What untried ideas will this group develop?

Ideally, each of the members of this group would be barred from participating themselves, but instead asked to select a junior staff member in their organization who would be named to the working group instead. That would be much more likely to result in fresh thinking.

[amiller92]

There's also a survivorship bias problem. These people are experts in how downtown currently is, but what's needed is a vision for what downtown can be and a recognition of what stands in the way (e.g., car infrastructure).

ETA: Some of these are the very people who insisted on keeping four lanes on 3rd Ave.

[John]

Agree Alexchief, there needs to be some concrete, fresh ideas that are more than just talk. I certainly hope some of the landlords of the large complexes adjacent to Nicollet Mall are also part of the workgroup.

Improving Nicollet Mall is more than just painting murals and creating pop-up stores during the holidays. As people point out, there are potential opportunities for retail expansion here that are viable and happening in other large cities under similar circumstances. If this workgroup is really serious , they will step up to the plate.

[alexschief]

I guess my question is; what has prevented these people from stepping to the plate earlier? What advantage or opportunity have they lacked so far that this working group will provide?

I'm not saying that this working group will fail; I think they will come up with many suggestions and act on a few of them and write Star Tribune op-eds about the rest. It's probably a good thing that this group is meeting in order to create political cover or capital for changes downtown.

But that doesn't mean we need to buy some of the narrative surrounding this. This is a working group that so far consists of people whose handiwork is all around us. These people are the architects of the current downtown and I think it's worth questioning why we are still turning to them for all of the answers.

I'll say this though, I like Peter Brown and I'm glad he's facilitating this.

[John]

The Dayton's Project which (I think) was supposed to open in early 2019 was one of the first concrete steps in the right direction to revitalize retail downtown. Really, it was the first development in decades that IMO had merit to really have a strong impact on Nicollet Mall. Unfortunately, the Covid pandemic came along and basically shut down the whole CBD, made even worse with the civil and social unrest.

We're almost starting scratch from 9th Street to Washington. The restaurants from Target down to 12 Street are doing reasonably well and Zelo's is set to reopen in the spring. The sidewalk cafes are particularly a strong draw in the summer. Active marketing and grouping the area as an urban experience dining destination " i.e. restaurant row" might be helpful similar to Eat Street to the south.

[Oreos&Milk]

...Remember back when we were all talking about a downtown Minneapolis Casino?

Imagine if we could find a way to build a casino downtown, imagine an "upscale outlet mall" built into an urban format. Imagine we were able to get Duluth Trading Company to anchor a "Native Minnesota Brands" mall. Imagine if we opened up a public space for a flea market. Say the convention center and gave attractive tenant rates that would help everyone open up a booth to sell some goods! (ie 25 bucks for a table OR 10% of sales) I'd imagine that would help spark new businesses to raise up among the many and develop into actual brands, plus it would be pretty fun IMO.

Imagine the city hosted a Nicollet Mall food truck evening. Where people could gather and attend events like outside movies or games or public concerts.

Many different things they could do or look into seeing how feasible other things they could do and possibly have a positive impact on getting people to come outside again and to enjoy downtown and to bring shopping back even if it is just a flea market at first it starts the ball rolling.

[NickP]

I dig the Minnesota brands mall idea!

[bubzki2]

To beat a dead horse... make Nicollet Mall an actual pedestrian mall (no buses or taxis). The rest should follow.

[Bakken2016]

https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/ ... lding.html

Honestly them selling or leasing their building is probably a net win for downtown Minneapolis, their overpriced furniture is not the future of downtown retail.

[Silophant]

It would be cool to get that parking lot between this building and Sneaky Pete's filled with something, but idk if the TPSS in the middle of the block creates an issue with that.

[MNdible]

Yeah, unless they can relocate the substation, that lot is undevelopable.

[Silophant]

One more reason for a downtown LRT tunnel, I guess.

[MNdible]

There is a much more offensive and developable parking lot right across the street, so priorities.

[uptownbro]

After 100 years Hubert white is closing in the IDS center citing the decline in sales. While there sales were improving YOY they were still to far below pre covid

[MinnMonkey]

Looks like starting next week the downtown Target will be open until 8pm.

https://www.target.com/sl/mpls-nicollet-mall/1375