Grand Island Rumor Mill

briboi2005 · Post by **briboi2005** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:17 am

Looks like Red Mango finally got a location choosen, coming soon next to Gordmans and Famous Footware by complete nutrition. Signage is up in the windows!

LOVE Red Mango! GI has lacked a yogurt/smoothie shop since we lost TCBY. Nice that it will be another upscale brand

Alot of new stuff goin on in that area!

briboi2005 · Post by **briboi2005** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:26 am

Any updates on Cox Bbq?

briboi2005 · Post by **briboi2005** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:04 am

New info on the lots out by sturh and CCC that were planned for a shopping center in 2007

looks like on 1-11-12 all of the lots have been sold/retitled to a

PRATARIA VENTURES LLC
Address: 233 S 13TH ST STE 1900
City, State: LINCOLN NE
Zipcode: 68508-

The lots were broken up for commercial/retail in 2007 as plans were development of a shopping area, when the economy tanked it seems plans were scrapped and the land/ titles have remained unchanged since then!

Does the recent change in title mean upcoming development for the area is being thought about again ???? Looks like in all there would be 10 retail plots!

400433826 COMM 03406 \EWOLDT RD 1/11/2012 $621,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433826 COMM 03406 \EWOLDT RD 1/11/2012 $1,449,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433834 COMM 03422 \EWOLDT RD 1/11/2012 $621,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433834 COMM 03422 \EWOLDT RD 1/11/2012 $1,449,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433842 COMM 03404 \EWOLDT RD 1/11/2012 $621,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433842 COMM 03404 \EWOLDT RD 1/11/2012 $1,449,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433850 COMM 03435 \JAMES RD 1/11/2012 $621,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433850 COMM 03435 \JAMES RD 1/11/2012 $1,449,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433869 COMM 03511 \JAMES RD 1/11/2012 $621,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433869 COMM 03511 \JAMES RD 1/11/2012 $1,449,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433877 COMM 03533 \JAMES RD 1/11/2012 $621,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433877 COMM 03533 \JAMES RD 1/11/2012 $1,449,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433885 COMM 03555 \JAMES RD 1/11/2012 $621,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433885 COMM 03555 \JAMES RD 1/11/2012 $1,449,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433893 COMM 03637 \JAMES RD 1/11/2012 $621,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433893 COMM 03637 \JAMES RD 1/11/2012 $1,449,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433907 COMM 03655 \JAMES RD 1/11/2012 $621,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433907 COMM 03655 \JAMES RD 1/11/2012 $1,449,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433915 COMM 03721 \JAMES RD 1/11/2012 $621,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information
400433915 COMM 03721 \JAMES RD 1/11/2012 $1,449,000.00 PRATARIA VENTURES LLC Assessor Information

gisbuxfan · Post by **gisbuxfan** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:15 pm

briboi2005 wrote:New info on the lots out by sturh and CCC that were planned for a shopping center in 2007

looks like on 1-11-12 all of the lots have been sold/retitled to a

PRATARIA VENTURES LLC
Address: 233 S 13TH ST STE 1900
City, State: LINCOLN NE
Zipcode: 68508-

Do we know anything about this company? What other properties do they hold? It's exciting news for that area. Granted as you mentioned there had been some plans before so I am not holding my breath just yet.

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 9:08 pm

Pallesen Charles M Jr Counsel
233 S 13th St Ste 1900
Lincoln, NE 68508-2000
(402) 474-6900

gisbuxfan · Post by **gisbuxfan** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 2:47 pm

Just heard Sam & Louie's is open for business once again!

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 7:22 pm

I'd heard that Nate Wieland, who owns the local Sonics, bought the Sam and Louies.

gisbuxfan · Post by **gisbuxfan** » Thu Feb 16, 2012 5:07 pm

yeah, I have heard the same thing. I am still confused on what has happened to the former owner. The new owner brings some local experience to keep a well run business. Sam & Louie's should be in good hands.

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 7:22 am

All I had heard about the previous owner is that he would drive out from Omaha once every week or two for a few hours and then be gone, leaving everything in the hands or a manager who had responsibility, but no authority.

But, that's second hand info, so I don't know the whole rest of the story.

Local is always better, IMHO

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 3:12 pm

Candleshoe wrote:
bbtran72 wrote:does anyone know what happened to the factory card outlet? drove by and it was empty inside..
Last I heard was that "Party City" acquired the Factory Card Outlet chain a year or two ago and was going to be rebranding the stores. I had heard they would gut the GI store and reopen later. I certainly hope that's the case... it was a pretty handy store sometimes.

Signs are up and Party City is hiring

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Mon Apr 02, 2012 3:47 pm

Olive Garden update: Look for opening to be late June or early July. Management team is in training for 14 weeks is what I'm hearing.

gisbuxfan · Post by **gisbuxfan** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:32 am

Any news of Red Mango?

I think Panera has been a big hit! Well, it has been with me, I am there weekly. Everytime I have been in there, they have been busy!

How is the Sam & Louie's doing? I haven't been back yet since new management took over.

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 9:25 pm

gisbuxfan wrote:Any news of Red Mango?

How is the Sam & Louie's doing? I haven't been back yet since new management took over.

I don't know on either count. However, Texas Roadhouse opens on Monday.

gisbuxfan · Post by **gisbuxfan** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 2:29 pm

Just saw a sign go up this past week at the Grand Island Mall..yeah, that one that is blighted.

The sign says, "PartyHut". Any ideas on what this is?

Post by **nebugeater** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 3:23 pm

gisbuxfan wrote:Just saw a sign go up this past week at the Grand Island Mall..yeah, that one that is blighted.

The sign says, "PartyHut". Any ideas on what this is?

I think this is what you have to look forward to.

gisbuxfan · Post by **gisbuxfan** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 3:38 pm

Honestly...I can see that happening!

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 10:30 pm

Coming Soon!!! Indoor Fun Center opening date to be announced soon! Located at 2260 N. Webb Road (old Hobby Lobby) We are very excited to bring our party rentals to a permanent location year round.

http://www.facebook.com/ThePartyHut

http://www.partyhutfuncenter.com/

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Tue May 08, 2012 6:10 pm

Coming to the old EconoFoods/SunMart/U-Save/Furniture SuperCenter building on State St at US281...
The Gap, Shoe Carnival, Dress Barn and Bed, Bath & Beyond!

Watch for road congestion to about double along State Street between the malls.

gisbuxfan · Post by **gisbuxfan** » Wed May 09, 2012 12:57 pm

So that's what happens when you declare a property blighted...huge win for Grand Island! I have heard rumors circulating about each of those stores for a while now, just never expected them to go in to that property.

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Wed May 09, 2012 12:58 pm

Welcome to the over 50K club :lol: .

wehavetoliveit · Post by **wehavetoliveit** » Wed May 09, 2012 2:11 pm

I think the 50k club is exactly right, we've had a nice bump up in restaurants now some nice new retail. My hopes were not very high for the GI Mall area, but this a

great start at redevelopment. Granted I know nothing about the mall, but I've always thought that if they put parking and storefronts on the west side facing 281

would be a nice improvement.

gisbuxfan · Post by **gisbuxfan** » Wed May 09, 2012 4:06 pm

wehavetoliveit wrote:I think the 50k club is exactly right, we've had a nice bump up in restaurants now some nice new retail. My hopes were not very high for the GI Mall area, but this a

great start at redevelopment. Granted I know nothing about the mall, but I've always thought that if they put parking and storefronts on the west side facing 281

would be a nice improvement.

parking and storefronts are nice, but dang...281 is getting pretty congested. I love the fact these tennants are moving in though. I am curious on timeline. There are quite a bit of improvements that need made to make it suitable for Gap and the others.

Texas Roadhouse is off to a good start! I am still waiting for my Chipotle.

bbtran72 · Post by **bbtran72** » Wed May 09, 2012 10:01 pm

gisbuxfan wrote:
wehavetoliveit wrote:I think the 50k club is exactly right, we've had a nice bump up in restaurants now some nice new retail. My hopes were not very high for the GI Mall area, but this a

great start at redevelopment. Granted I know nothing about the mall, but I've always thought that if they put parking and storefronts on the west side facing 281

would be a nice improvement.
parking and storefronts are nice, but dang...281 is getting pretty congested. I love the fact these tennants are moving in though. I am curious on timeline. There are quite a bit of improvements that need made to make it suitable for Gap and the others.

Texas Roadhouse is off to a good start! I am still waiting for my Chipotle.

I called ahead(30 mins) and only had to wait 10 mins when i went to Texas Roadhouse last Saturday. Had onion blossom for appetizer, half rack of ribs and a side of chili and fresh steamed veggies. The ribs were freaking awesome and the onion blossom wasn't bad but inside on the bottom the batter was still raw, the chili was okay but a little bit salty and it was damn loud in there. Other wise good place to eat.

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Thu May 10, 2012 8:06 am

Is Driesbacks (sp) still open? I loved that place.[/img]

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Thu May 10, 2012 8:39 am

Bob from Omaha wrote:Is Driesbacks (sp) still open? I loved that place.[/img]

Yes and no. The original Dreisbachs was destroyed in a fire in the mid 80's. It was rebuilt with a brand new upscale building that seated over 500. It continued till around 2002 when it could no longer afford to stay open. The mail order business was way down and the old magic and tradition just seemed to have not made the transition to the new digs. While the restaurant sales seemed pretty soft, the carryout chicken side of the business continued to be solid... I remember the long lines out the door.

However, last year, the granddaughters brought back the salad dressings and au gratin potatoes and made them available in grocery stores in Omaha and Grand Island around three years ago. The response was really good and it led to the opening last year of Dreisbachs Carryout in Grand Island. You can get Dreisbachs chicken, coleslaw, au gratin potatoes, as well as some other limited menu items for carryout, or you can enjoy it sit-down style in the casual dining room. things are going quite well and they keep adding to the menu, but have no plans to over extend themselves with a larger location in the foreseeable future.

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Thu May 10, 2012 8:58 am

wehavetoliveit wrote:I think the 50k club is exactly right, we've had a nice bump up in restaurants now some nice new retail. My hopes were not very high for the GI Mall area, but this a great start at redevelopment. Granted I know nothing about the mall, but I've always thought that if they put parking and storefronts on the west side facing 281 would be a nice improvement.

The GI mall property is a real conundrum. The physical building is actually three buildings connected. The Shopko was originally a free standing Woolco, while the North end of the property (you can tell, by where the parking lot suddenly gets nicer and the building is a different color shade) was originally a Richman Gordman freestanding bulding. The remainder was all infill by the Grand Island Mall properties and preceded the Conestoga Mall by a short time. The Conestoga was built for 360 degree aesthetics with brick, but the GI Mall was built of cinder block style construction and was never meant to appeal to US 281, which had no commercial development in that area till a decade later. Webb Road was the front door.

The GI Mall had promises from Bakers to be the anchor tenant, but it never happened. The Conestoga took off running with the major anchors it secured and it's never looked back. Since then, the GI Mall has never been full and in the late 90's began it's conversion to a large strip center when Hastings Entertainment, Hobby Lobby and others took floorspace from the front of the mall to the back end, causing the mall to shut off the central corridor. When Hobby Lobby left to take over the old WalMart building, it began a domino of other closings.

With absentee ownership, I don't see the mall ever taking advantage of the blight designation and advantages. I don't remember if the ownership is in New York or Hawaii, It was always the poor little sister of Golds in Lincoln and when they largely gave up on Golds, the GI property has been merely a statistic, if even.

gisbuxfan · Post by **gisbuxfan** » Thu May 10, 2012 9:11 am

Candleshoe wrote:With absentee ownership, I don't see the mall ever taking advantage of the blight designation and advantages. I don't remember if the ownership is in New York or Hawaii, It was always the poor little sister of Golds in Lincoln and when they largely gave up on Golds, the GI property has been merely a statistic, if even.

This must come up as a surprise that tenants like Gap, BB&B, Dress Barn, Shoe Carnival are moving in. I guess I am trying to see the layout in my head. The square footage of each of the properties is mentioned in the Independents article, but I am unaware of what the total square footage of the Furniture store/sun mart/ econofoods (whatever you want to call it) is.

There had always been rumors of a new mall, a much nicer one being built on the south side of town near Hwy 34. I know the property was an issue there, but it seems to me that these new tenants would have been perfect for that kind of build. It seems that they have given up on that and took advantage of the tax break.

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Thu May 10, 2012 9:47 am

This must come up as a surprise that tenants like Gap, BB&B, Dress Barn, Shoe Carnival are moving in. I guess I am trying to see the layout in my head. The square footage of each of the properties is mentioned in the Independents article, but I am unaware of what the total square footage of the Furniture store/sun mart/ econofoods (whatever you want to call it) is.

That building isn't owned by the mall, a whole nother outfit out of Indiana. It was originally a Nash Finch property. I think it's around 90K square feet or so. The BB&B is going to take about a quarter of it, Same with the Gap, with the other two taking lesser spaces. I think there'll be room for another tenant yet.

There had always been rumors of a new mall, a much nicer one being built on the south side of town near Hwy 34. I know the property was an issue there, but it seems to me that these new tenants would have been perfect for that kind of build. It seems that they have given up on that and took advantage of the tax break.

The rumored new mall was going to be a "Lifestyle" Mall, similar in concept to Village Pointe. It's been done on a smaller scale on the north edge of Hastings and is rather underwhelming. Not a lot of pure retail, so it's more like a series of strip malls that don't really invite cross shopping, but it did succeed in pretty much killing what was left of the Imperial Mall in Hastings.

gisbuxfan · Post by **gisbuxfan** » Mon May 21, 2012 1:11 pm

A little more to the story...

Number of owners in Grand Island Mall area a development issue

http://bit.ly/KfI0tZ

After nine years of headlines about bankruptcies, ownership changes and tenants that never materialized, in 1981 Grand Island Mall Manager Cameron Fox announced a renovation project meant to push "the racehorse that never left the gate" past the finish line.

That development hasn't had a good run. Let's hope some good changes are on the way.

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Mon May 21, 2012 3:51 pm

Whatever became of the PetSmart that was coming to GI? Haven't heard a word in like a year.

gisbuxfan · Post by **gisbuxfan** » Mon May 21, 2012 4:00 pm

According to the last time I checked their website (2 months), they were still hiring for management positions for GI. Who knows for certain though.

gisbuxfan · Post by **gisbuxfan** » Tue May 29, 2012 4:08 pm

I drove by Red Mango on Saturday...looks like they are getting ready to open soon.

Linkin5 · Post by **Linkin5** » Tue May 29, 2012 8:41 pm

Is the last five years in GI the most development you guys have seen in a while? Seems like tons of stuff is going on.

bbtran72 · Post by **bbtran72** » Wed May 30, 2012 7:44 am

isn't it going in Eagle Run?

gisbuxfan wrote:I drove by Red Mango on Saturday...looks like they are getting ready to open soon.

gisbuxfan · Post by **gisbuxfan** » Wed May 30, 2012 2:17 pm

yeah...funny. You say Eagle Run, I think West Maple in Omaha. Here, I call it just north of Home Depot.

wehavetoliveit · Post by **wehavetoliveit** » Wed May 30, 2012 10:21 pm

I see another frozen yogurt option is coming to the northwest side of town. Cherryberry yogurt bar at the Conestoga Mall.

The last five years or so sure seems like the greatest growth by GI standards that I have seen. Certainly in the dining options. I always thought the potential was there just never knew when the ball would really get rolling. Most all has occurred on the northwest side of town in 281 area. Now if we could just get some more vitality downtown!

gisbuxfan · Post by **gisbuxfan** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 8:35 am

Red Mango is now open. It opened on Friday. Nice place. Hours are 11am - 11pm.

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:22 am

Heard from a local businessman that there's been action taken on the old Bag & Save at 2nd and Broadwell. The belief is that there will be a pharmacy/retailer moving into the building. Asked if it might be a CVS and they had no idea on the actual business.

gisbuxfan · Post by **gisbuxfan** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:41 am

That would be great for that location...although, I cannot imagine a CVS moving in so close to a Walgreens in a town the size of GI. Regardless, that is too good of a location to be left empty.

Linkin5 · Post by **Linkin5** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 2:04 pm

gisbuxfan wrote:That would be great for that location...although, I cannot imagine a CVS moving in so close to a Walgreens in a town the size of GI. Regardless, that is too good of a location to be left empty.

If there is a Walgreens across the street you can pretty much guarantee CVS will be building there.