Jun 29, 2008 - 04:07:16 CDT
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It could be an indoor fun park. Or maybe a new retail store.
Or, the now-empty, 102,000-square-foot space that was Home Depot could be turned into the world's largest Hooters.
Many readers and residents have strong opinions about what should go into the Home Depot, which closed for good on June 22 after a four-year run in Bismarck. Readers were asked to submit comments online about what they'd like to see; as of time of publication, nearly 300 comments were submitted.
Aside from the tongue-in-cheek comments about Hooters, gentleman clubs and strip clubs - which would actually present zoning problems in that part of town - Matthew Reichert, the agent handling the property, said many of the comments were very intuitive.
"I think there are a number of them on the blog that were very good suggestions,"Reichert said. "There were a number on the blog that were pretty far out there."
For example, someone suggested to demolish the building, difficult to justify on such a large space.
Many readers hoped for another sporting goods store, such as Cabelas, Gander Mountain or Fleet Farm. Others suggested grocery-style stores, such as Costco - similar to a Sam's Club - or Whole Foods - an organic goods, health food retailer.
There also were a lot of votes for a Gordman's or another retail clothing store, such as a Macy's or a Dillards. And Bed Bath and Beyond was mentioned a few times. Several readers also want a large, indoor park with go-carts and other entertainment for teens and adults, or even for children.
Suggestions for a discount mall space caught the eye of new city commissioner Mike Seminary.
"I know that people have been asking for that,"Seminary said. "But I don't know how viable it is, yet."
City Commissioner Parrell Grossman said he'd at least like to see another retailer fill the space.
"I think anything that will generate some income in our community would be good,"Grossman said.
Reichert said there have been a lot of rumors going around about the property, mostly about the property already having been purchased. He assured the Tribune that is not the case.
"Ihave had some people call me up and say that they heard it was sold, and it's not,"Reichert said. "All I can tell you is that I'm continuing to pursue some people."
He said finding a new owner could take anywhere from two to three months to two to three years. It takes a while to put the deal together, he said, unlike a home sale, where buyers walk in ready to buy.
"My job is to logically identify candidates that would be good, either users of the property or investors of the property, and basically contact them and secure someone to be a buyer or a tenant,"he said. Adeal takes market research, approval committees market demographics, but first, a lot of cold calls.
"We get a lot of 'no's,'" he said. A lot of the suggestions on the blog, he added, were good but not viable in Bismarck's market right now.
But he's taking every approach, looking to sell it as a whole or in parts - whatever it takes.
As for the world's largest Hooters or even a proposed gentleman's club, Reichert said he'd just as well stay away from those ventures.
(Reach reporter Crystal R. Reid at 250-8261 or at crystal.reid@bismarcktribune.com.)
Or, the now-empty, 102,000-square-foot space that was Home Depot could be turned into the world's largest Hooters.
Many readers and residents have strong opinions about what should go into the Home Depot, which closed for good on June 22 after a four-year run in Bismarck. Readers were asked to submit comments online about what they'd like to see; as of time of publication, nearly 300 comments were submitted.
Aside from the tongue-in-cheek comments about Hooters, gentleman clubs and strip clubs - which would actually present zoning problems in that part of town - Matthew Reichert, the agent handling the property, said many of the comments were very intuitive.
"I think there are a number of them on the blog that were very good suggestions,"Reichert said. "There were a number on the blog that were pretty far out there."
For example, someone suggested to demolish the building, difficult to justify on such a large space.
Many readers hoped for another sporting goods store, such as Cabelas, Gander Mountain or Fleet Farm. Others suggested grocery-style stores, such as Costco - similar to a Sam's Club - or Whole Foods - an organic goods, health food retailer.
There also were a lot of votes for a Gordman's or another retail clothing store, such as a Macy's or a Dillards. And Bed Bath and Beyond was mentioned a few times. Several readers also want a large, indoor park with go-carts and other entertainment for teens and adults, or even for children.
Suggestions for a discount mall space caught the eye of new city commissioner Mike Seminary.
"I know that people have been asking for that,"Seminary said. "But I don't know how viable it is, yet."
City Commissioner Parrell Grossman said he'd at least like to see another retailer fill the space.
"I think anything that will generate some income in our community would be good,"Grossman said.
Reichert said there have been a lot of rumors going around about the property, mostly about the property already having been purchased. He assured the Tribune that is not the case.
"Ihave had some people call me up and say that they heard it was sold, and it's not,"Reichert said. "All I can tell you is that I'm continuing to pursue some people."
He said finding a new owner could take anywhere from two to three months to two to three years. It takes a while to put the deal together, he said, unlike a home sale, where buyers walk in ready to buy.
"My job is to logically identify candidates that would be good, either users of the property or investors of the property, and basically contact them and secure someone to be a buyer or a tenant,"he said. Adeal takes market research, approval committees market demographics, but first, a lot of cold calls.
"We get a lot of 'no's,'" he said. A lot of the suggestions on the blog, he added, were good but not viable in Bismarck's market right now.
But he's taking every approach, looking to sell it as a whole or in parts - whatever it takes.
As for the world's largest Hooters or even a proposed gentleman's club, Reichert said he'd just as well stay away from those ventures.
(Reach reporter Crystal R. Reid at 250-8261 or at crystal.reid@bismarcktribune.com.)
Jessy S. wrote on Jul 3, 2008 1:03 AM:
Now I just want to say that Bismarck-Mandan supports their Department stores just fine. We aren't all cheap despite high gas prices. Look at the Herberger's, JCPenny, and Kohls locations on almost any given day and you will see that their lots are pretty full. On the other hand, both I. Keating and Sears aren't doing too well to the point that I. Keating will likely close its location, while Politics sees Kmart close so that a Sears Home Essentials can be built in its place. Whatever the case, I am sure that Gordmans, Macys, and Dillards are lining up to bid on the mall spaces.
As for the Home Depot space, we will likely see some good competition for Scheels in the form of Gander Mountain, Sportsmen's Warehouse, or Sports Authority. Whatever the case, it will likely thrive due to our love for the outdoors. "
Jessy S. wrote on Jul 3, 2008 1:02 AM:
Also, Let's remind ourselves that our retail community is a bit toward the side that doesn't like to see change. I mean who doesn't, but when a new store or business comes in, it represents change for the area, some good or some bad. However, most people get used to that change for good or bad. People might end up accepting that change as good. While most of us may want activities for our kids, a new retail store will likely go in. I did a tally of all the comments from a previous story and though it is clear that youth activities won, quite a few stores could do good here including Gander Mountain, Gordman's, Fleet Farm, Costco, Whole Foods, and Toys R Us. "
Good Idea wrote on Jul 2, 2008 11:48 PM:
To Sue wrote on Jul 2, 2008 1:36 PM:
Sue wrote on Jul 2, 2008 12:52 PM:
JT wrote on Jul 2, 2008 9:24 AM:
bigpoppakdog wrote on Jul 1, 2008 8:43 AM:
Dennis wrote on Jun 30, 2008 11:30 AM:
ideas wrote on Jun 29, 2008 3:22 PM:
combine it with an events center for many activities, forget about retail, you have plenty of that now. "
Like To Know wrote on Jun 29, 2008 10:36 AM:
wrote on Jun 29, 2008 9:22 AM:
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