urbanMSP

Hmm. Good that something is going to fill it in. Still, I kind of liked that it was a Minneapolis/Minnesota-themed store that also provided visitor and transit info.

The visitor information center isn't going away.

I suppose I wonder how that will fit in with a new retailer then.

I suppose I wonder how that will fit in with a new retailer then.

I think it's the same type of merchandise. Just a different vendor.

Yep. I just stopped in and talked to the guy working. Whoever used to provide their merchandise is moving out, and Love From Minnesota is moving in. So... no real change, beyond a couple of days of no merchandise.

Hm, I wonder if they will be there and the IDS center?

Not really surprised after their little audit shenanigans got caught. I'll bet their contract with the city got revoked or their other sponsors left.

Once again you are confusing "Move Minneapolis" (the Transportation Management Organization that got audited) with "Meet Minneapolis" (the Convention and Visitors Bureau), which are two entirely separate entities. Move Minneapolis used to have a skyway retail space in US Bank Plaza, until they recently moved into Meet Minneapolis' storefront at 505 Nicollet. Move Minneapolis is effectively a sub-tenant of Meet Minneapolis in that space, and their former director's audit/fraud shenanigans has jack squat to do with Meet Minneapolis.

I guess we'll find out, but I hope Love From Minnesota is just providing the purchasing and POS and whatever systems, and it'll still be Minneapolis/Twin Cities themed merchandise. I just wandered through their IDS store, and their stock is pretty cabin/woods/lake oriented, which isn't so great for a Minneapolis visitor center.

Also, there was a guy sitting at a table with Five Guys applications in RBC Plaza this morning, so looks like that's opening soon.

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/n ... macys.html

Doesn't really tell us anything aside from the fact that the Downtown store isn't in the top 150 out of 728. We do know that the real estate is more valuable than the store to them....I hope they can do a leaseback and include a renovated store....the store as it is isn't really great for the spot, with all the empty space in the building and the poor upkeep. I would hate to see it go though.

Also, there was a guy sitting at a table with Five Guys applications in RBC Plaza this morning, so looks like that's opening soon.

Was there last week too, fwiw.

Bonobos!

http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/n ... ening.html

Saw that the small, middle street level bay had the windows papered over this morning. Guessing that's where the Bonobos space is going.

Bonobos in the former Sex World site...is a coincidence right?

I was holding out hope that the smaller storefront in the Sex World reno would be a perfect spot for a Chipotle or other fast takeout option. Hopefully something similar will pop up soon.

Sad day: Happy Days Market appears to have closed.

Sad day: Happy Days Market appears to have closed.

They've been closed for at least two weeks.

Is this the only central district in the world where the population is increasing but retail is shuttering?

No, I'm pretty sure every central district in the world, whether the residential population is increasing or decreasing, sees a business close down from time to time.

Chrome and Kit and Ace are closing. Not too surprising. Home bias favoring One on One and Kit and Ace was upstairs in a bit of an odd spot. Also they gave away free champagne on Friday.

http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/Blogs/T ... orth-Loop/

Is Chrome still a thing anymore?

Yeah, kind of. I see more Trash Bags being worn by our local couriers. Chrome was also charging $35 for a bike cap. They're usually $18. I know it's North Loop so it should be expected, but they were overcharging a bit for the smaller things.