Westroads Development

CharleyBarley · Post by **CharleyBarley** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 9:22 am

This is why I am excited about it. Our group of office workers goes out for lunch quite a bit and has frequented Westroads since we can all choose what we want but still eat together. I've looked at the menu prices and it doesn't seem like most places would be much more than Panera and it'll be nice to have some fun new choices.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 9:42 am

Did they open yesterday?

Greg

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 9:45 am

Greg S wrote:Did they open yesterday?

Greg

No, I thought it was stated that they are opening on the 28th.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 10:25 am

skinzfan23 wrote:
Greg S wrote:Did they open yesterday?

Greg
No, I thought it was stated that they are opening on the 28th.

The World Herald article earlier this month (headline is on the previous page of this thread) had them opening 12/21.

Greg

Post by **Coyote** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 10:30 am

Jim Sadler recently said the 28th.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 10:58 am

Coyote wrote:Jim Sadler recently said the 28th.

Too bad on another delay. They completely missed Xmas. Heading to Westroads to shop at lunch and was going to try it.

Greg

Post by **Coyote** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 11:35 am

Same story, they blame delays in equipment...

debradomayer · Post by **debradomayer** » Tue Dec 22, 2015 11:21 pm

As I was leaving work tonight, I was excited to see that the black tarps covering/surrounding the new Food Hall were down! Painters doing last minute ceilings. Looks really nice. I took a pic, but somehow I can't get it to post. I guess everyone will just have to check it out in person!

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Wed Dec 23, 2015 8:25 am

debradomayer wrote:As I was leaving work tonight, I was excited to see that the black tarps covering/surrounding the new Food Hall were down! Painters doing last minute ceilings. Looks really nice. I took a pic, but somehow I can't get it to post. I guess everyone will just have to check it out in person!

Nice, I was there around 6 pm and the tarp was still up. Good to hear that they are getting closer to opening.

Post by **Brad** » Wed Dec 23, 2015 9:36 am

I was at the mall yesterday as well. I noticed that there were two empty storefronts, which seems strange for this time of the year. One of them was on a corner and it seems like its been empty forever.

By the way, I'm sure the mall makes bank off all those kiosks in the middle of the halls and open areas, but those need to go....

debradomayer · Post by **debradomayer** » Wed Dec 23, 2015 9:51 am

Most of the kiosks are year round. Like that annoying Splat ball! But things will be changing after the first of the year when the old food court closes & they close down the area. Cox Solutions Store closed on the 20th. There are several "empty" storefronts that are currently used by seasonal stores, like the blanket place and the Calendar/Toy store.

Post by **nebugeater** » Wed Dec 23, 2015 5:35 pm

Looks like the opening date for Flagship Commons is now Tuesday Dec 29

http://www.ketv.com/news/flagship-commo ... Type=Story

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Wed Dec 23, 2015 5:40 pm

Just in time for the holidays.

Post by **nebugeater** » Wed Dec 23, 2015 5:44 pm

MTO wrote:Just in time for the holidays.

Yep

Use the New Years rush to get ready for Ground Hogs Day.

debradomayer · Post by **debradomayer** » Wed Dec 23, 2015 5:57 pm

They are training new employees today. Must say it is REALLY nice!

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Wed Dec 23, 2015 6:42 pm

Greg S wrote:
Coyote wrote:Jim Sadler recently said the 28th.

Too bad on another delay. They completely missed Xmas. Heading to Westroads to shop at lunch and was going to try it.

Greg

Sort of like announcing you are having your big New Year's Eve extravaganza on January 3rd. How. Incredibly. Stupid. November and December are by far the two busiest months of the year at a shopping mall. January through March are a dead zone.

Professor Woland · Post by **Professor Woland** » Wed Dec 23, 2015 8:31 pm

nativeomahan wrote:
Greg S wrote:
Coyote wrote:Jim Sadler recently said the 28th.

Too bad on another delay. They completely missed Xmas. Heading to Westroads to shop at lunch and was going to try it.

Greg
Sort of like announcing you are having your big New Year's Eve extravaganza on January 3rd. How. Incredibly. Stupid. November and December are by far the two busiest months of the year at a shopping mall. January through March are a dead zone.

On the flip side, had they rushed the opening and sucked it up during the Christmas season, it would have been worse for them in the long run than missing this year's Christmas. Really, opening a new concept at the busiest time of year is probably a really bad idea.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Thu Dec 24, 2015 8:57 am

Just crazy though in retail to miss the entire Xmas run. It's the only time of the year the mall is packed. This is the only development I've seen at a mall that opened as far from Xmas as you possibly can.

Greg

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Dec 24, 2015 5:06 pm

Contractor FAIL?...

debradomayer · Post by **debradomayer** » Thu Dec 24, 2015 5:28 pm

The new "food court" was originally supposed to open last spring, with the usual suspects/restaurants. Then GGP went with this new concept and they had to re-design the entire area. The plumbing for the first design was already installed & they had to re-plumb, move electric etc. Then add on top of that the late ship on equipment...Well at least we can enjoy for New Year's Eve!!! It looks to be worth the wait.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Dec 24, 2015 8:46 pm

Well I suppose it's good we ended up with the newest model.

Post by **Coyote** » Fri Dec 25, 2015 12:23 am

debradomayer wrote:The new "food court" was originally supposed to open last spring, with the usual suspects/restaurants. Then GGP went with this new concept and they had to re-design the entire area. The plumbing for the first design was already installed & they had to re-plumb, move electric etc. Then add on top of that the late ship on equipment...Well at least we can enjoy for New Year's Eve!!! It looks to be worth the wait.

That would make this timeline in my mind make sense.

General Growth at some point decided that the present Food Court was taking up Prime retail space.
The Value and Market-ability of a 30k sq ft bay with signage visibility from W Dodge was being wasted.
They find a new, out of market retailer interested in the Omaha Westroads vicinity.
Or they plan on finding someone interested in this space, so,
A plan to move to Food Court and create a new anchor space is internally proposed, and preparations made.

Then, a wrench is thrown into this equation.

When someone (Flagship?) finds out GGP's Mall plans... Someone dreams up this "Food Hall" concept.
The problem is, now, all the original Food Court plans have to be re-designed to configure to a 'design in progress'.
New Grills, refrigeration units, theme designs are on the fly, continually revamped and updated weekly.
Deliveries are not well coordinated, training of staff is way behind....

Grand Opening gets pushed back a week, then two, then... We have no idea...

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 11:48 am

Covers are down on Flagship Commons. Looks awesome.

debradomayer · Post by **debradomayer** » Sat Dec 26, 2015 11:56 am

I think they are doing a soft opening today. There are shoppers ordering food as I'm posting this.

Post by **Coyote** » Sun Dec 27, 2015 2:38 pm

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Sun Dec 27, 2015 2:51 pm

Hey Coyote did you try any of the food?

Post by **Coyote** » Sun Dec 27, 2015 3:10 pm

MTO wrote:Hey Coyote did you try any of the food?

No, it was a soft opening (Training Day), and they had people guarding the 'entrances'. Plus, I am allergic to Malls, so I held my breathe and took one for the team.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Sun Dec 27, 2015 4:31 pm

Coyote wrote:
MTO wrote:Hey Coyote did you try any of the food?
No, it was a soft opening (Training Day), and they had people guarding the 'entrances'. Plus, I am allergic to Malls, so I held my breathe and took one for the team.

Well given it was for the forum any medical complications are covered b

daveoma · Post by **daveoma** » Sun Dec 27, 2015 8:44 pm

I think this place looks AWESOME! Definitely something new and unique I would expect in a city known for being adventurous.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Mon Dec 28, 2015 8:35 am

Sounds like they had an issue next door at the movie theatre Saturday night.

http://www.ketv.com/news/large-crowd-di ... ew+Content

Real big one though in Louisville:

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ken ... ng-n486341

Greg

lonnie · Post by **lonnie** » Tue Dec 29, 2015 12:34 pm

Coyote wrote:
lonnie wrote:I wonder if REI is going into Westroad's old-food court ? The space is about correct, typically 25,000 square feet and General Growth said it would be a 30,000 square foot store new to the market.
Is there an open level in the middle of the old food court like at Oakview, I can't remember, but if there is they could easily put in some climbing/repelling walls and other outdoorish features.

The old food court is single story with a glass skylight down the middle, so a 2-story section could be created. Though there would not be a way to hook into the second floor of the Mall without eliminating a 2nd floor store. Don't think they would need that much space anyway.

Additionally, two sides of the store would be next to the parking lot, good for large item loading.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Tue Dec 29, 2015 2:27 pm

Obviously opening day helps but Flagship Commons has lined for every food stall and it's the middle of the afternoon. Bars are both pretty full. This is a huge upgrade for Westroads IMO. Entirely unique and really stands apart.

lmdramos · Post by **lmdramos** » Wed Dec 30, 2015 1:12 pm

Home for the holidays and decided to visit Flagship Commons. Lines easily 15-20 deep at Amsterdam and Blatt! All the others had about 10 in line at all times and almost every seating area is full. This place sure is gonna fail....

PotatoeEatsFish · Post by **PotatoeEatsFish** » Wed Dec 30, 2015 1:32 pm

lmdramos wrote:Home for the holidays and decided to visit Flagship Commons. Lines easily 15-20 deep at Amsterdam and Blatt! All the others had about 10 in line at all times and almost every seating area is full. This place sure is gonna fail....

Wow it's almost like it just opened or something!

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Wed Dec 30, 2015 1:40 pm

Yeah I think we need to see what the lines are like 6 months from now. I think it will be solid for lunch. Will be interesting during the evening and on weekends.

Greg

Omaha_corn_burner · Post by **Omaha_corn_burner** » Wed Dec 30, 2015 3:03 pm

I remember when the old food court first opened. It was tough to get a table! The place was packed. Runza had new fangled devices with touchscreens where you ordered yourself...no human worker needed.

I find it interesting that the new food court is open an hour after the mall closes on the weekends. I guess they are trying to capture some revenue from employees finishing up at their stores.

Post by **Coyote** » Wed Dec 30, 2015 4:34 pm

I remember when Bishop's opened, there were lines...

GRANDPASMUCKER · Post by **GRANDPASMUCKER** » Wed Dec 30, 2015 7:50 pm

Coyote wrote:I remember when Bishop's opened, there were lines...

I would be at a loss to even name any restaurants in Omaha that ever had lines like that Bishops did. The only places that would come close would be the casino buffets when they first opened.

Post by **nebugeater** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 7:07 am

GRANDPASMUCKER wrote:
Coyote wrote:I remember when Bishop's opened, there were lines...
I would be at a loss to even name any restaurants in Omaha that ever had lines like that Bishops did. The only places that would come close would be the casino buffets when they first opened.

chick fil a when they opened for whatever reason.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Thu Dec 31, 2015 8:46 am

The crazy thing is Chick Fil A still always seems to have lines.

Dunkin Donuts had lines for weeks after they opened on 144th.

Greg