Not surprising. I go to the OC in ankeny fairly often because i live nearby and it feels like its been headed downhill as well. They killed the best weekday specials there (the mug deals on tuesday, the buy 2 get 1 deal on weds) and it seems like the place is less busy than it used to be because of that.
Merle Hay Old Chicago Closing
- Thread starter CYdTracked
- Start date
I think this depends on the mall format.
Malls as an endless row of stores, yeah, that's becoming obsolete. I think malls that can offer a healthy mix of stores, restaurants, and entertainment can still succeed. And there will always be some products\services you just can't get online. Satisfy one of the multiple reasons people might be willing to be in the area and they'll end up frequenting the other options you provide.
Best Buy is actually going through an unexpected renaissance, so they'll probably be around longer than you think.
Somebody mentioned it earlier, but what they need to do for all of these failing malls is to introduce a residential component and then get the mix of users in the mall to be based of the entertainment/service to those residents. The north side of Merle Hay Mall is a wasteland of concrete parking that probably hasn't been used in decades. Its a prime spot to add apartments that are directly connected to the mall, providing those residents with easy access to the amenities in the mall.
Agreed. I wouldn't go so far as to say boutique stores, but maybe open up some of those empty spaces to niche markets or even local retailers.
Like senior apartments and then stores that sell hemorrhoid creams and then a denture provider, and maybe a bingo hall.
It's a bummer to see malls dwindling but it's the reality of modern shopping. Hell, a lot of brick and mortar stores arent fully stocked anymore, you still have to order things through the store. If you're going to have to order it online, you may as well do it from the comfort of your own home.
The management that took over OC re-hauled everything. They are based out of Dubuque The Tues and Wed. deals going away was stupid.
Agreed.
I think their greatest asset might simply be the sunk costs involved.
Malls have already cleared the hurdles of...
-- going through the commercial and regulatory procedures of being permitted, contracted, and built, none of which are fun processes for any real estate developers
-- while the configuration of the land, decorum, and structure... lots of surface parking, the internal structure, the like... is not exactly what you might build from scratch, having a building to modify is a heck of a lot easier and cheaper than a new build
-- they tend to have good, known, recognized locations and, where applicable, cities have usually made some accommodations in their transportation systems to help them succeed and/or built their public transit systems around them, as well
I guess I might have my image of "the mall" tainted by North Grand growing up, which was exactly the endless row of stores that you described in your message.
As retrofitted mixed-use developments, they could do quite well.
The ones out here are doing exactly that...
https://www.tysonscornercenter.com/
https://dc.curbed.com/2018/2/7/16986356/ballston-quarter-entertainment-hub
...and seem to be doing great for it.
Des Moines is not Arlington or Fairfax County, though.
I saw a story on the news a few days ago and they already have a tenant lined up for the Old Chicago space. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/s...es-redevelop-shopping-old-chicago/2667734002/
Also, this article came out awhile ago about Old Chicago expanding to West Des Moines, Dubuque and Cedar Rapids...https://www.restaurantnews.com/new-franchise-expansion-deals-in-iowa-for-old-chicago-pizza-taproom/
I know the Dubuque location is already open, not sure about Cedar Rapids. The fact they are opening in WDM could be a reason for this location closing.
Also, this article came out awhile ago about Old Chicago expanding to West Des Moines, Dubuque and Cedar Rapids...https://www.restaurantnews.com/new-franchise-expansion-deals-in-iowa-for-old-chicago-pizza-taproom/
I know the Dubuque location is already open, not sure about Cedar Rapids. The fact they are opening in WDM could be a reason for this location closing.
Last edited:
Merle Hay went downhill when Laser X closed.
what ever mall there that has the Jos A. Banks store in I remember going there to buy suits towards the end of training, it was an odd hour or a holiday and most of the mall was closed. the store next to JAB was a furniture store that had a god awful ugly looking yellow couch that looked like it would be uncomfortable to even sit on price tag of over $10k. I just stood there dumbfounded some one would spend that much on something like that. or the $7,000 porsche watch from the store down stairs, the guys face when I said I could buy a used porsche for that money was priceless and showed the the snobbery of that mall though. did almost pull the plug on some bang&olufsen headphones there though.
