Oak View Mall (144 & West Center Rd)

[Cermak]

Agree, Crossroads is much worse than Oak View. Crossroads is an embarrassment to the city. Oak View is only a mess when you compare it to how it was back in its prime. Eppley is one of the better mid sized airports in the country. Love the non stop flights to LAX. The only other mid sized airport I might like better is Albuquerque’s.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Agree, Crossroads is worse, Crossroads is an embarrassment to the city of Omaha. Oak View is only a mess when you compare it to how it was back in its prime. Eppley is one of the better mid sized airports in the country. The only other mid sized airport I might like better is Albuquerque’s.

Well, I’ll say you have submitted a fair, balanced and accurate post here..

I completely concur ..

Time will tell with Oakview- perhaps you’ll be right and it will eventually die (I personally hope it doesn't..but as you can tell by reading through the years of comments, I’m the optimist poster in this Oakview thread, lol).. I agree too that brick and mortar shopping can be a pretty sketchy proposition vs the convenience of online point and click...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Omababe]

To me no single Omaha development took the retail crisis harder than Oak View mall. At one time it was a respectable attractive Mall, now it’s just a shell of its former self and it’s future is in question.

I think Crossroads and Mall Of The Bluffs fared worse. Crossroads just died! It seemed to happen all at once. **POOF!** except for Target', B&N, and arguably Sears for a while. Same with MOTB except I don't live over there anymore, so it does not really affect me that much.

As I probably said here, I consider the death of MOTB to be poetic justice. When I lived in CB I enjoyed shopping at the old Midlands Mall, as it was very convenient for me. MOTB, which was not that convenient to where I lived, opened, and Midlands Mall imploded!

Now Oakview is semi-convenient to me, as I can easily swing by that way on my way home. I did pick up a few things at JCP not too long ago, although I do the JCP on 370 and the one in CB more frequently. I still go to Petsmart and B&N semi-regularly. (I do have a slight preference for Petco, but the L Street shopping plaza is such a cluster-{expletive} that I avoid it unless there's something there I can't get conveniently elsewhere.)

[Cermak]

I stopped at Oak View today and took a walk inside. As it’s only about 10 minutes from my house. It has been over a year since I had last been in it. It looks OK but nothing great, you can tell it’s a struggling Mall. I would say it’s between 60-70 % leased. The key stores being Penney’s and Dillard’s, if those stores left it would probably be beyond saving. On a positive note the mall seemed clean which was good to see.

I always liked the layout of Oak Views food court , to me that’s the best thing about the mall. I like the way it overlooks the center court, and it’s so bright and open.

It’s strange how older Westroads won out in the long run. I guess Westroads just has the better location. And Omaha can only support one Mall these days. So Westroads was the winner, and Oak View is left wondering what’s next for it.

[Csmac]

I heard Express is now closing! :/. It seems like the outer ring of Oakview is making progress and the big boxes they are trying and such. I just hope they can fill some of the empty bays inside with some stores. Does CBRE-Mega have a good record at turning properties around? That’s the company that owns the whole Oakview mousetrap. I just don’t want Oakview to continue to lose lots of anchors. I now Brick and mortar is not doing good at all but there has to be some stores they can fill that are non traditional retail. Even Village point is losing stores Pier 1 is closing. I just don’t see the need for Heartwood preserve I think we are insanely over saturated with retail in Omaha as it is. Thoughts?

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I just don’t see the need for Heartwood preserve I think we are insanely over saturated with retail in Omaha as it is. Thoughts?

Heartwood Preserve makes more sense if you view it as a live, work, play community rather than just a retail center like Oak View and Village Pointe. It is a little more retail heavy than I would have gone with but I think the style of retail will be more neighborhood oriented in most of the development than regionally oriented.

[ChadJK]

Oak View is beautiful during the day. There's so much natural light flooding in through it's skylights. However, in the evening and at night I find it a little too dark. Sucks the energy out of my mall wanderings. They need more lighting.

[empires228]

Since Westroads and Oakview got bought out my Brookfield Asset Management what changes do you want to see to both malls besides remodeling. From what I read Brookfield is a good company and has helped out Macys and many other businesses. I think Oakview needs a better/updated food court. I think it would be nice to see one of the empty tenants at Westroads or Oakview get a big natural grocers store. It would be also nice to see Westroads and Oakview get an ice skating rink in the middle of the mall. More entertainment/ things for kids and family to do is really needed. We are way too oversaturated with retail and bars. One of my friends thinks that Westroads or Oakview could get a Macys. Thoughts?

Macy's has not been opening new stores lately as they have had their own troubles. They have started reporting better results as of late. You have to think the demise of Bon Ton (Younkers parent company) will have a benefit to their bottom line. It will be interesting to see if they do go into markets where they previously had not been. Stores like the former Younkers at Westroads would represent a fairly inexpensive way to enter a new market. Previously Omaha might not have been attractive to them due to the presence of Bon Ton (Younkers).

Greg

I know I'm quoting a two year old post, but... The closing of Bon-Ton was expected to mostly help out JCPenney. Outside of Chicago and a few scattered malls in Ohio, PA, and upstate NY, Bon-Ton really didn't have much overlap with Macy's, who passed over a lot of May's weaker stores out east. The two detroit stores were at odd little shopping centers far away from the Macy's that were formerly Hudson's. Even in Chicago and Minneapolis, they didn't have much overlap at the same malls because Marshall Fields and Carson's and Daytons and Herberger's fought to keep eachother out though the mid 90s before finally ending up in the same malls after ownership and brand changes. Outside of Omaha, Des Moines, and Grand Island, Bon-Ton had almost no overlap with Dillard's. I guess Toledo does have two Dillard's at thriving malls and had an decrepit Elder-Beerman in a dying side area with a standalone Sears nearby.

This came about for a myriad of reasons.
1. As said above, Dayton's and Marshall Fields (later under a shared parent company) fought off the various pre-Bon-Ton ownerships (Saks Northern, Bergners as an independent company and before that Carson's as an independent company, etc.) from entering malls that they either developed or ones where they already opened an anchor store. Carson's did the same in Chicago. After more ownership changes, May's ended up with Field's and Dayton's.

2. The majority of Dillard's current footprint outside of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri consists of stores they acquired from their merger with Mercantile Stores. A lot of their stores were in the far south and out west around Denver. Wichita, Omaha, and Des Moines, are rare markets they entered organically, though they once operated a third store in downtown Wichita they they purchased along with all of the Macy's in KC during the 1980's. That Macy's was formerly Innes, a local store that was sold to Macy's by a then independant Younkers. All but two of the current Dillard's (one per metro) in KC and STL are former Macy's or Stix, Bauer & Fuller in KC or just SB&F in STL. Dillard's built the Zona Rosa store in KC and the Mid Rivers Mall store in STL.

3. Omaha and Des Moines didn't do well with May and thus didn't end up with Macy's. The Montgomery Ward turned Jones Store and Famous Barr didn't last long at Westroads or Merle-Hay Mall. The one in Peoria, IL did and recently closed as a Macy's. The other two conversions May did during that area, Leawood Town Center Plaza and Oak Park Mall, are still operating as very dated Macy's stores. May was hoping to unseat Younkers and failed pretty bad. Mercantile had been more diligent and never considered Omaha, Wichita, Lawrence, Columbia, or many other markets near KC despite having Jones Store/Joslin's HQ there before the Dillard's buyout. They took a risk in Topeka with The Jones Store that closed soon after being converted to Macy's.

4. Belk bought all of the Parisian stores in the south. If Bon-Ton had bought up more than the two in detroit, they would have had a sizable overlap with Macy's and also Dillard's that would have likely had a sizable impact on their competitions sales upon opening and closing. A lot of the nicer Belk stores that opened in malls have since closed because they couldn't compete with Macy's and Dillard's at those properties.

5. Bon-Ton's Elder-Beerman brand once had a lot of overlap with Dillard's in Ohio, but it was brief. When Dillard's entered via Higbee's and The Lion Store, Elder-Beerman died off in the larger towns pretty fast and continued to make bad decisions until declaring bankruptcy and being acquired by Bon-Ton a few years before they bought up Saks Northern. Macy's had previously sold their small number of stores in Ohio to Elder-Beerman when they sold off the KC-Wichita stores to Dillard's and didn't return to Ohio until 2006 when Elder-Beerman had been reduced to a handful of rundown downtown and dead mall stores in smaller markets.

I'm surprised Dillard's has hung on at Oak View, especially after Brookfield quietly dumped the mall in a multi-mall sale. I'm sure Brookfield would love them to take over the Westroads Younkers, but that store was one of the smaller full line Younkers because May didn't expand any of those former Montgomery Ward stores when they gutted them. Dillard's has been phasing out its smaller stores and hasn't been opening much new that isn't in a move in ready space. The store at Zona Rosa in KC doesn't look like it would be much bigger, but it's a solid three floors and both Dillard's stores at Oak Park Mall as well as the store in Wichita and the one in Topeka are larger than that space at Westroads. GGP made some odd choices with Oak View over the years including building it that far off the interstate and building it to be a more "upscale" property, but then anchoring it with Sears and putting Von Maur in at Westroads. A new Von Maur wing could have been built off the Oak View food court and continued some of the same stores that ended up at Village Pointe.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Since Westroads and Oakview got bought out my Brookfield Asset Management what changes do you want to see to both malls besides remodeling. From what I read Brookfield is a good company and has helped out Macys and many other businesses. I think Oakview needs a better/updated food court. I think it would be nice to see one of the empty tenants at Westroads or Oakview get a big natural grocers store. It would be also nice to see Westroads and Oakview get an ice skating rink in the middle of the mall. More entertainment/ things for kids and family to do is really needed. We are way too oversaturated with retail and bars. One of my friends thinks that Westroads or Oakview could get a Macys. Thoughts?

Macy's has not been opening new stores lately as they have had their own troubles. They have started reporting better results as of late. You have to think the demise of Bon Ton (Younkers parent company) will have a benefit to their bottom line. It will be interesting to see if they do go into markets where they previously had not been. Stores like the former Younkers at Westroads would represent a fairly inexpensive way to enter a new market. Previously Omaha might not have been attractive to them due to the presence of Bon Ton (Younkers).

Greg

I'm surprised Dillard's has hung on at Oak View, especially after Brookfield quietly dumped the mall in a multi-mall sale. I'm sure Brookfield would love them to take over the Westroads Younkers, but that store was one of the smaller full line Younkers because May didn't expand any of those former Montgomery Ward stores when they gutted them. Dillard's has been phasing out its smaller stores and hasn't been opening much new that isn't in a move in ready space. The store at Zona Rosa in KC doesn't look like it would be much bigger, but it's a solid three floors and both Dillard's stores at Oak Park Mall as well as the store in Wichita and the one in Topeka are larger than that space at Westroads. GGP made some odd choices with Oak View over the years including building it that far off the interstate and building it to be a more "upscale" property, but then anchoring it with Sears and putting Von Maur in at Westroads. A new Von Maur wing could have been built off the Oak View food court and continued some of the same stores that ended up at Village Pointe.

First off, welcome to the forum and thank you for your detailed post and retail big box perspective..

Second, I just wanted to say- Jim Sadler GGP GM for Westroads stated on the Grow Omaha radio show almost exactly 2 years ago, that Dillard’s owns their parcel at Oakview and would not be relocating to Westroads anytime soon..

He also stated on that same radio show interview that the gloom and doom “predicted” demise of Oakview and its surrounding Mousetrap was “greatly exaggerated”..

Now with a pandemic squarely within the US bullseye, we’ll see what becomes of brick and mortar in general once we get through it...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[bigredmed1]

Recently, AMC has been downgraded by securities analysts to “default imminent”. It is unexpected to survive past July. If it goes bankrupt. What do you all think about the future of AMC 24?

[S.O.Boy]

Recently, AMC has been downgraded by securities analysts to “default imminent”. It is unexpected to survive past July. If it goes bankrupt. What do you all think about the future of AMC 24?

Depends on what their sales are like. If they close, that would be another big empty building out there.

[Coyote]

The old Toys R Us will become an event space and can seat parties of up to 300 people. Opening June/July.

And will be a large Liquor store.

[omaha79]

The old Toys R Us will become an event space and can seat parties of up to 300 people. Opening June/July.

And will be a large Liquor store.

The thought in the industry is that AMC Theaters are "too big to fail". Things look bleak for them, but there's a sense that the studios or another investor will likely step in to save the company, because the studios simply can't afford to see the nations largest theater chain shut their doors permanently. All of the talk of moving big movies to streaming will never happen. These movies are too big, and cost too much to be distributed digitally, not unless the rental price is well over $50 and that's not going to happen either. It's worked for smaller movies like Invisible Man, but it won't work for Marvel or Star Wars movies. The big summer tentpole movies need the theater system running to make the cost of all the special effects viable.

So, the expectation is for AMC to find a cash influx to keep them going. That doesn't mean that they won't close some underperforming locations. AMC was hit by the perfect storm. They were $5 billion in debt as they acquired a ton of theaters, renovated many, and implemented their A List preferred program. They'd just started making money again when the pandemic hit.

What something like this means for Oak View 24? I'm not sure. I don't know how well that theater had been performing. But, I'd say I wouldn't want to be an underperforming AMC theater right this minute.

[Greg S]

The old Toys R Us will become an event space and can seat parties of up to 300 people. Opening June/July.

And will be a large Liquor store.

The thought in the industry is that AMC Theaters are "too big to fail". Things look bleak for them, but there's a sense that the studios or another investor will likely step in to save the company, because the studios simply can't afford to see the nations largest theater chain shut their doors permanently. All of the talk of moving big movies to streaming will never happen. These movies are too big, and cost too much to be distributed digitally, not unless the rental price is well over $50 and that's not going to happen either. It's worked for smaller movies like Invisible Man, but it won't work for Marvel or Star Wars movies. The big summer tentpole movies need the theater system running to make the cost of all the special effects viable.

So, the expectation is for AMC to find a cash influx to keep them going. That doesn't mean that they won't close some underperforming locations. AMC was hit by the perfect storm. They were $5 billion in debt as they acquired a ton of theaters, renovated many, and implemented their A List preferred program. They'd just started making money again when the pandemic hit.

What something like this means for Oak View 24? I'm not sure. I don't know how well that theater had been performing. But, I'd say I wouldn't want to be an underperforming AMC theater right this minute.

One thing in it's favor, is that it was recently remodeled.

Greg

[omaha79]

The old Toys R Us will become an event space and can seat parties of up to 300 people. Opening June/July.

And will be a large Liquor store.

The thought in the industry is that AMC Theaters are "too big to fail". Things look bleak for them, but there's a sense that the studios or another investor will likely step in to save the company, because the studios simply can't afford to see the nations largest theater chain shut their doors permanently. All of the talk of moving big movies to streaming will never happen. These movies are too big, and cost too much to be distributed digitally, not unless the rental price is well over $50 and that's not going to happen either. It's worked for smaller movies like Invisible Man, but it won't work for Marvel or Star Wars movies. The big summer tentpole movies need the theater system running to make the cost of all the special effects viable.

So, the expectation is for AMC to find a cash influx to keep them going. That doesn't mean that they won't close some underperforming locations. AMC was hit by the perfect storm. They were $5 billion in debt as they acquired a ton of theaters, renovated many, and implemented their A List preferred program. They'd just started making money again when the pandemic hit.

What something like this means for Oak View 24? I'm not sure. I don't know how well that theater had been performing. But, I'd say I wouldn't want to be an underperforming AMC theater right this minute.

One thing in it's favor, is that it was recently remodeled.

Greg

No doubt.

[bigredmed1]

Honestly, it would be better to let AMC go chapter 11 and then buy up the assets that are most likely to have a positive cash flow.

[omaha79]

Honestly, it would be better to let AMC go chapter 11 and then buy up the assets that are most likely to have a positive cash flow.

It's tough though. Who would be buying up those assets? Unless they are already in the business of theater management, no one wants to get into that gig. It's become a penny business. It's like running a grocery store these days. You lure people in selling cans of peas (in this case movies) for a few nickels profit and then try to upsell them on luxury items. That's why they are all hocking booze, pizzas, etc. It's not an industry that a new player would want to get in and expect to make profitable, especially since it's already been struggling. AMC at least has people that have been doing this a long time on the corporate side. They know theater relationships. I've seen all these ideas about Amazon or Disney buying AMC but those just don't make sense. A big conglomerate like Amazon doesn't want to be in the theater business. Disney is near broke themselves and could run into anti trust issues if they bought a theater chain. The best bet is to have AMC say relatively like it is unless another chain like Regal or Marcus bought parts of them.

[bigredmed1]

Honestly, it would be better to let AMC go chapter 11 and then buy up the assets that are most likely to have a positive cash flow.

It's tough though. Who would be buying up those assets? Unless they are already in the business of theater management, no one wants to get into that gig. It's become a penny business. It's like running a grocery store these days. You lure people in selling cans of peas (in this case movies) for a few nickels profit and then try to upsell them on luxury items. That's why they are all hocking booze, pizzas, etc. It's not an industry that a new player would want to get in and expect to make profitable, especially since it's already been struggling. AMC at least has people that have been doing this a long time on the corporate side. They know theater relationships. I've seen all these ideas about Amazon or Disney buying AMC but those just don't make sense. A big conglomerate like Amazon doesn't want to be in the theater business. Disney is near broke themselves and could run into anti trust issues if they bought a theater chain. The best bet is to have AMC say relatively like it is unless another chain like Regal or Marcus bought parts of them.

I agree. That is why I said that only the above market performing locations should be bought. I can see no reason to do this business either but if you were already in it, you would look at a bankrupt AMC and think either I buy the good ones and try to expand my existing chain or I buy the middle ones just to keep them from competing against me under new management.

All in all, I think that most movie theaters are toast. The AMC theaters were upgraded recently, but that was not enough to get me there. The Alamo Poison House will be never selling me any kind of a snack or beverage again. That leaves the Regal theaters in VP and on Maple and these are over run with undisciplined chidren and their Karen moms wanting to talk to the manager if their demon spawn are not allowed to run amok.

Got to say that I think I am going to make good use of my recliner and big screen from now on.

[omaha79]

Honestly, it would be better to let AMC go chapter 11 and then buy up the assets that are most likely to have a positive cash flow.

It's tough though. Who would be buying up those assets? Unless they are already in the business of theater management, no one wants to get into that gig. It's become a penny business. It's like running a grocery store these days. You lure people in selling cans of peas (in this case movies) for a few nickels profit and then try to upsell them on luxury items. That's why they are all hocking booze, pizzas, etc. It's not an industry that a new player would want to get in and expect to make profitable, especially since it's already been struggling. AMC at least has people that have been doing this a long time on the corporate side. They know theater relationships. I've seen all these ideas about Amazon or Disney buying AMC but those just don't make sense. A big conglomerate like Amazon doesn't want to be in the theater business. Disney is near broke themselves and could run into anti trust issues if they bought a theater chain. The best bet is to have AMC say relatively like it is unless another chain like Regal or Marcus bought parts of them.

I agree. That is why I said that only the above market performing locations should be bought. I can see no reason to do this business either but if you were already in it, you would look at a bankrupt AMC and think either I buy the good ones and try to expand my existing chain or I buy the middle ones just to keep them from competing against me under new management.

All in all, I think that most movie theaters are toast. The AMC theaters were upgraded recently, but that was not enough to get me there. The Alamo Poison House will be never selling me any kind of a snack or beverage again. That leaves the Regal theaters in VP and on Maple and these are over run with undisciplined chidren and their Karen moms wanting to talk to the manager if their demon spawn are not allowed to run amok.

Got to say that I think I am going to make good use of my recliner and big screen from now on.

I like Alamo. That was a terrible mistake, but still an unfortunate mistake. I trust they've fixed their issues.

[nebugeater]

Honestly, it would be better to let AMC go chapter 11 and then buy up the assets that are most likely to have a positive cash flow.

It's tough though. Who would be buying up those assets? Unless they are already in the business of theater management, no one wants to get into that gig. It's become a penny business. It's like running a grocery store these days. You lure people in selling cans of peas (in this case movies) for a few nickels profit and then try to upsell them on luxury items. That's why they are all hocking booze, pizzas, etc. It's not an industry that a new player would want to get in and expect to make profitable, especially since it's already been struggling. AMC at least has people that have been doing this a long time on the corporate side. They know theater relationships. I've seen all these ideas about Amazon or Disney buying AMC but those just don't make sense. A big conglomerate like Amazon doesn't want to be in the theater business. Disney is near broke themselves and could run into anti trust issues if they bought a theater chain. The best bet is to have AMC say relatively like it is unless another chain like Regal or Marcus bought parts of them.

I agree. That is why I said that only the above market performing locations should be bought. I can see no reason to do this business either but if you were already in it, you would look at a bankrupt AMC and think either I buy the good ones and try to expand my existing chain or I buy the middle ones just to keep them from competing against me under new management.

All in all, I think that most movie theaters are toast. The AMC theaters were upgraded recently, but that was not enough to get me there. The Alamo Poison House will be never selling me any kind of a snack or beverage again. That leaves the Regal theaters in VP and on Maple and these are over run with undisciplined chidren and their Karen moms wanting to talk to the manager if their demon spawn are not allowed to run amok.

Got to say that I think I am going to make good use of my recliner and big screen from now on.

I like Alamo. That was a terrible mistake, but still an unfortunate mistake. I trust they've fixed their issues.

Agree. In reality, Alamo is probably the safest place to get a snack or during of all theaters now.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Beer Wine and Spirits officially opens today in the Oakview Mousetrap (where the old Toys r Us was located). They had a soft opening earlier this week and I visited. This place is massive. It’s definitely the largest retail spirits store in the state of Nebraska by far. Excellent selection of pretty much everything you need. There will be a new bar opening up next door.. They will also have a beer and wine tasting area we’re you can sample products..

Overall, this place has unreal potential..and once we get through this Pandemic, will be a huge win for the Oakview Mousetrap area...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[omaha79]

Beer Wine and Spirits officially opens today in the Oakview Mousetrap (where the old Toys r Us was located). They had a soft opening earlier this week and I visited. This place is massive. It’s definitely the largest retail spirits store in the state of Nebraska by far. Excellent selection of pretty much everything you need. There will be a new bar opening up next door.. They will also have a beer and wine tasting area we’re you can sample products..

Overall, this place has unreal potential..and once we get through this Pandemic, will be a huge win for the Oakview Mousetrap area...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Have you been to Total Wine and More in Minneapolis along with other places? Is it similar to that? It sounds similar to that. I need to check this place out. Is it open now to the general public?

[Omaha Cowboy]

Beer Wine and Spirits officially opens today in the Oakview Mousetrap (where the old Toys r Us was located). They had a soft opening earlier this week and I visited. This place is massive. It’s definitely the largest retail spirits store in the state of Nebraska by far. Excellent selection of pretty much everything you need. There will be a new bar opening up next door.. They will also have a beer and wine tasting area we’re you can sample products..

Overall, this place has unreal potential..and once we get through this Pandemic, will be a huge win for the Oakview Mousetrap area...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Have you been to Total Wine and More in Minneapolis along with other places? Is it similar to that? It sounds similar to that. I need to check this place out. Is it open now to the general public?

Yes. It’s massive. Similar to a Total Wine or a Specs in Dallas, TX..

You should check it out. It’s officially open today. I think you’ll be impressed with the potential ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[bigredmed1]

To be fair, they are still stocking, but basically all they have now is stuff you can already get at HyVee. I plan on checking back in a month or two.

Right now, Nakedwines.com easily beats them. Time will tell.

[Greg S]

Beer Wine and Spirits officially opens today in the Oakview Mousetrap (where the old Toys r Us was located). They had a soft opening earlier this week and I visited. This place is massive. It’s definitely the largest retail spirits store in the state of Nebraska by far. Excellent selection of pretty much everything you need. There will be a new bar opening up next door.. They will also have a beer and wine tasting area we’re you can sample products..

Overall, this place has unreal potential..and once we get through this Pandemic, will be a huge win for the Oakview Mousetrap area...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

Have you been to Total Wine and More in Minneapolis along with other places? Is it similar to that? It sounds similar to that. I need to check this place out. Is it open now to the general public?

Yes. It’s massive. Similar to a Total Wine or a Specs in Dallas, TX..

You should check it out. It’s officially open today. I think you’ll be impressed with the potential ...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

How does it differ from Brix?

[Coyote]

Store Tour

[Omaha Cowboy]

I visited the store again today and I’d say right now, even after only being open for 2 days- from a craft beer selection standpoint, it currently carries more offerings than most every HyVee, with the exception of Stoneybrook..

This place differs from Brix in a couple of ways- First, it’s simply massively larger than either Brix location was. Think a Warehouse for craft beer and spirits..They probably won’t offer food, but there will be a spirit tasting area.. and a bar which will likely serve food is supposed to open next door. Also, the prices for their craft beer selections are running about $1.50-$3.00 less than HyVee and much less than Brix.. Finally, potential. This store has so much more space and potential to offer craft beer and spirit events, without feeling like you are crowded into a sardine can..

Check the place out. It just opened and imo, will only get better with time...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Csmac]

A new store called Uphold has opened on the lower level on the Dillard’s wing. Looks like a great clothing store that is new and has a great look for the mall. Hope more can come to the mall. Has anyone been inside lately? How is the atmosphere? It’s crazy that the last time I was in there the Younkers wing is like a ghost town but the Dillard’s wing is still somewhat healthy.

[Cermak]

Dillard’s is keeping the mall afloat, Just barely. If they close you can put a fork in it. I still think Omaha can support at least one mall and Westroads is it.

[Omaha Cowboy]

A new store called Uphold has opened on the lower level on the Dillard’s wing. Looks like a great clothing store that is new and has a great look for the mall. Hope more can come to the mall. Has anyone been inside lately? How is the atmosphere? It’s crazy that the last time I was in there the Younkers wing is like a ghost town but the Dillard’s wing is still somewhat healthy.

This is great news and thanks for the intel..

Omaha is certainly a large enough metro at 1 million in population to support multiple shopping malls. The notion that Omaha can’t support more than one enclosed shopping destination is not accurate imo..

This pandemic, more than anything else, is accelerating the possible closure of brick and mortar..beyond the growing convenience of online point and click shopping.. I’ve always maintained Oakview and the surrounding mousetrap, plus Village Pointe, Westroads, Shadow Lake etc can survive this current time..

It’s a good sign that a new store is setting up shop at Oakview..and again, as I’ve stated numerous times in this thread, unless Dillard’s plans to leave the Omaha market completely..they won’t be leaving their Oakview location as they OWN the parcel (this is not a guarantee they won’t leave, but it’s about as solid a reason you can get for them not to )..

We’ll see how things shake out over the next 12 months when, hopefully, by that time- we’re on the other side of the pandemic...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[ChadJK]

Omaha is certainly a large enough metro at 1 million in population to support multiple shopping malls. The notion that Omaha can’t support more than one enclosed shopping destination is not accurate imo..

Omaha CAN support multiple indoor shopping malls, but unfortunately Omaha consumers ARE NOT. It doesn't help that the trend for the last couple of decades has been for unenclosed plazas and districts. If you took all of those open air shopping centers and considered them malls can Omaha support that many? We just keep opening new districts/plazas/centers with complete disregard with what it does to the existing ones. Each new one steals customers from the previous ones.

[Greg S]

Omaha is certainly a large enough metro at 1 million in population to support multiple shopping malls. The notion that Omaha can’t support more than one enclosed shopping destination is not accurate imo..

Omaha CAN support multiple indoor shopping malls, but unfortunately Omaha consumers ARE NOT. It doesn't help that the trend for the last couple of decades has been for unenclosed plazas and districts. If you took all of those open air shopping centers and considered them malls can Omaha support that many? We just keep opening new districts/plazas/centers with complete disregard with what it does to the existing ones. Each new one steals customers from the previous ones.

We could support them, but in this day and age, a second one just isn't needed. The problem for the malls is when they lose a tenant, it's near impossible to replace them. Look at the anchors at Westroads and Oak View. As good as Westroads is doing, they haven't been able to fill the Younkers space. Oak View which we can all agree is not doing near as well as Westroads,has Sears empty and a part time tenant at Younkers.

I grew up going to the mall. My kids will go occasionally. We are in NW Omaha. There isn't a big difference for us between Westroads and Oak View. When we do go the choice is easy, Westroads. I can't think of a compelling reason to go to Oak View except Dillards and honestly, unless there's a clearance sale, I don't go to it.

It's too bad Macy's is struggling. If they came to town they'd fill the Yonkers void. If they entered the market I think they'd do well and help whichever mall they landed at. I buy more from them on-line or when I travel to KC than from the anchors left in Omaha.

It's not Oak Views fault they lost their anchors and others stores, it's been a national issue. They just can't replace them is their concern. 20 years ago I'd visit multiple Omaha malls in a month. Now, Westroads maybe every other month.

I view Oak View (and other malls like it) like Kmart at the end. Other than people in it's immediate area, I can't think of a good reason for it to exist. At the end I really never had a reason to go to Kmart. It offered no reason to go that wasn't done better by Target or Wal Mart. Target was nice than Kmart, Wal Mart was cheaper. Same with Shopko. Unless it was dramatically closer, why would anyone go to Oak View when you have Westroads?

Greg

[Omaha Cowboy]

Omaha is certainly a large enough metro at 1 million in population to support multiple shopping malls. The notion that Omaha can’t support more than one enclosed shopping destination is not accurate imo..

Omaha CAN support multiple indoor shopping malls, but unfortunately Omaha consumers ARE NOT. It doesn't help that the trend for the last couple of decades has been for unenclosed plazas and districts. If you took all of those open air shopping centers and considered them malls can Omaha support that many? We just keep opening new districts/plazas/centers with complete disregard with what it does to the existing ones. Each new one steals customers from the previous ones.

The situation is certainly exasperated when adding in the elements of a pandemic..

No question brick and mortar was struggling before the pandemic.. But I still believe the ultimate consumer experience in buying/shopping is the “in person” touch. I also can’t imagine all these new shopping destinations etc are planned, spring up and $$ spent without extensive research confirming they’re needed..and that the population base is available to support them..

I’ve always looked at this situation, especially specific to the Oakview Mousetrap as cup half full..

Perhaps I’m completely wrong and malls like Oakview and the surrounding area will dry up and die eventually.. I hope not and suspect not..

Time will tell...

Ciao..LiO...Peace

[Cermak]

It seems the consensus is if you live close to Oakview it’s certainly nice to have, but anyone who lives more than a few miles away isn’t going to go there unless they need to go to Dillard’s or one of the few other remaining stores. If you do go to a mall in Omaha it’s more than likely going to be Westroads. One good indoor mall is all Omaha needs these days. I would like to see Oakview eventually shut down and demolished and repurpose the land. And have Dillard’s move to Westroads.

[Csmac]

Oak view isn’t going away anytime soon. Parts of it like the sears may be torn down to redevelop it (which I think is needed) but Jim Sadler stating that the mall will be around for a while and the manager of the mall stating to some people on google reviews that they don’t plan on closing puts that rumor to bed for now. If comparing to crossroads and even mall of the bluffs Oak view as it’s building itself is not that old compare to what was Crossroads and Westroads. It doesn’t make any sense to completely demolish the entire mall at this point. What they should do is resurface the parking lot with more greenery space and have the old sears building be a commons to a new food court/hall and a family entertainment venue like Sempexjs that used to be across the street. On note they completely resurfaced/replaced the concrete siding to be he former Younkers/ now Rush Market i doubt they would be doing replacement to part of the exterior of the mall if they plans to demolish at least in the near future.

[Cermak]

Cedar Rapids Iowa knocked down a mall (Westdale) I wonder why Omaha can’t ? At one time back in the 80’s Westdale was probably the most popular mall in eastern Iowa. Then Coralville Iowa 17 miles south of Westdale built a newer mall along I-80 and eventually beat out Westdale as the dominant mall in the region. Westdale suffered high vacancy rates and was demolished in 2014. Omaha’s Brandies was supposed to put an anchor store at Westdale but backed out before the mall even opened.

[skinzfan23]

Cedar Rapids Iowa knocked down a mall (Westdale) I wonder why Omaha can’t ? At one time back in the 80’s Westdale was probably the most popular mall in eastern Iowa. Then Coralville Iowa 17 miles south of Westdale built a newer mall along I-80 and eventually beat out Westdale as the dominant mall in the region. Westdale suffered high vacancy rates and was demolished in 2014. Omaha’s Brandies was supposed to put an anchor store at Westdale but backed out before the mall even opened.

If you have been around the Westdale area since the "renovation" I think its pretty safe to say that the Oakview area can do much better. There were grand plans for Westdale, but it turned into one hotel and a bunch of strip mall buildings with banks and fast food.

It was supposed to look something like this: (housing above retail, a park and lots of green space)



Here is what it turned into: (basically a poor man's version of Shadow Lake

[Csmac]

I went to Oak views new store Uphold and got a very nice fall hoodie and let me tell you it’s a beautiful mall that’s asking to be redeveloped into mixed use. No subway, no snow land or auntie Anne’s? Maybe a lot of stores are shut down to covid 19. However, with Oak view being not that old and the way it’s set up the city needs to step up and focus on turning it into a mix used development. The Younkers wing is a ghost town. Once covid clears I think something should be brainstormed Francescas and Pacsun are now gone too. I feel like something can be done and actually maybe Heartwood could help drive more traffic to that area. Thoughts?

[S.O.Boy]

Greenberg's has been running commercial saying they are closing the Oak View Mall store.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I went to Oak views new store Uphold and got a very nice fall hoodie and let me tell you it’s a beautiful mall that’s asking to be redeveloped into mixed use. No subway, no snow land or auntie Anne’s? Maybe a lot of stores are shut down to covid 19. However, with Oak view being not that old and the way it’s set up the city needs to step up and focus on turning it into a mix used development. The Younkers wing is a ghost town. Once covid clears I think something should be brainstormed Francescas and Pacsun are now gone too. I feel like something can be done and actually maybe Heartwood could help drive more traffic to that area. Thoughts?

I agree with you. This pandemic threw an already teetering brick and mortar store industry for a massive loop..

I honestly don’t believe it’ll be until next summer before we finally get through to the other side of Covid and return back to whatever “normal” has morphed into..

Fingers crossed that the Oakview Mousetrap can weather the storm. I remain hopeful...

Ciao..LiO...Peace