Westroads Mall (10000 California St)

[mrsticka]

Well, technically it would be 4 floors if you count the basement.

[Greg S]

Well, technically it would be 4 floors if you count the basement.

Yep you have the basement in the middle. The original Brandeis store was 4 full floors including the basement. I worked in the men’s department in the basement for about a year, then went to college. Came back the following summer and we were merging with Younkers which was still in their original location in the center of the mall, almost right next to us. It was only 2 floors but was still more square feet in size.

[mrsticka]

Well, technically it would be 4 floors if you count the basement.

Yep you have the basement in the middle. The original Brandeis store was 4 full floors including the basement. I worked in the men’s department in the basement for about a year, then went to college. Came back the following summer and we were merging with Younkers which was still in their original location in the center of the mall, almost right next to us. It was only 2 floors but was still more square feet in size.

Maybe a better idea for Westroads would be to have the second floor be a mezzanine level like most malls. What I mean by that is have 2 separate sections of the floor with large gaps down the middle allowing shoppers to see the lower level. And have walkways to allow you to get from one side to the other. That's what Oak View has.

[Greg S]

Well, technically it would be 4 floors if you count the basement.

Yep you have the basement in the middle. The original Brandeis store was 4 full floors including the basement. I worked in the men’s department in the basement for about a year, then went to college. Came back the following summer and we were merging with Younkers which was still in their original location in the center of the mall, almost right next to us. It was only 2 floors but was still more square feet in size.

Maybe a better idea for Westroads would be to have the second floor be a mezzanine level like most malls. What I mean by that is have 2 separate sections of the floor with large gaps down the middle allowing shoppers to see the lower level. And have walkways to allow you to get from one side to the other. That's what Oak View has.

Before their major remodel in the early 90's you could see the floor below you.

Oak View has less stores that way.

[OmahaRedWing]

Well, technically it would be 4 floors if you count the basement.

Yep you have the basement in the middle. The original Brandeis store was 4 full floors including the basement. I worked in the men’s department in the basement for about a year, then went to college. Came back the following summer and we were merging with Younkers which was still in their original location in the center of the mall, almost right next to us. It was only 2 floors but was still more square feet in size.

Maybe a better idea for Westroads would be to have the second floor be a mezzanine level like most malls. What I mean by that is have 2 separate sections of the floor with large gaps down the middle allowing shoppers to see the lower level. And have walkways to allow you to get from one side to the other. That's what Oak View has.

Before their major remodel in the early 90's you could see the floor below you.

Oak View has less stores that way.

I remember leaning over the rails and looking down from the 2nd floor to the first. If memory serves, the stores on the inside lane, you had openings to the floor below on either side of you as you entered the store.

[mrsticka]

This is what I meant:

[mrsticka]

I read somewhere, I don't remember, that before Westroads' food court, The Grand Cafe, opened in 1991, a typical mall food court had around only 8 to 10 restaurants/vendors/bays or whatever they're called. But Westroads' food court opened, it was the first to have at least 12. I could be wrong on that. I probably am. But that is what I read.

[Greg S]

Von Maur is getting ready to remodel it's Westroads store. Considering the business climate for department stores, this is very impressive:

https://omaha.com/news/local/business/m ... EHuION7y_5

[ChadJK]

Von Maur is getting ready to remodel it's Westroads store. Considering the business climate for department stores, this is very impressive:

There's a lot of margin in a $300 sweater...

I've always liked Von Maur. We bought a lot of our daughter's outfits there when she was very little as they would have shockingly good sales on children's clothing. The employees are always super helpful. The store is clean and well-,maintained. It makes me think of old school department stores from the 1940s (or, at least, what I have fantasized them to be like).

[nativeomahan]

Actually the store began its remodeling right after Christmas. Much of the men’s department has already been refreshed. It was already the classiest store in town but I guess the owners decided it was time to make some changes.

[Cermak]

Actually the store began its remodeling right after Christmas. Much of the men’s department has already been refreshed. It was already the classiest store in town but I guess the owners decided it was time to make some changes.

Glad to see they are continuing to further invest in this location, good news.

[OmahaRedWing]

The remodel is underway on the 1st floor now. Looks like part of it includes replacing a lot of the carpeting with wood floors. Looks very nice.

I also noticed when there, that the new Rally House that is going in at Westroads will be right next to Von Maur on your left as you exit the store going into the mall on the 1st floor.

[Greg S]

Rally House is a good get for Westroads. Getting closer to me. Still would love to see one in NW Omaha.

[S.O.Boy]

https://www.ketv.com/article/rossen-rep ... xb1K5s20NA

When was the last time you went to the mall? They’ve long been assumed to be dying off because of online shopping — but new signs point to a rebound this year.

Data from location analytics firm Placer.Ai’s May 2024 Mall Index shows that visits to indoor malls, open-air shopping centers, and outlet malls all saw significant year-over-year increases. Visits to indoor malls have increased by 8.6% since 2023. Visits to open-air shopping centers have increased 6.2%, and visits to outlet malls have increased 5.7%.

[nativeomahan]

https://www.ketv.com/article/rossen-rep ... xb1K5s20NA

When was the last time you went to the mall? They’ve long been assumed to be dying off because of online shopping — but new signs point to a rebound this year

I was there twice just last week.

[ChadJK]

Westroads wishes it could attract me this way

Peak Westroads was the Jewish Deli in the basement, the clock in the atrium, David's Briar Shop, Montgomery Ward, The Afternoon, Fox Westroads Cinema, and Bishop's Buffet.

[Cermak]

Both Westroads and Regency mall seem to be dying a slow death. Wouldn’t shock me if at least Borsheims, Williams Sonoma and Pottery barn move further west at some point if the opportunity becomes available. Then the mall would be dead. This topic should probably be moved to suburban Omaha thread.

[Brad]

This topic should probably be moved to suburban Omaha thread.

I moved your posts to the topic already in the suburban section. That other thread in the new section started for one of the fights that happened at Westroads.

[Stargazer]

I wish Dillard's would move to Westroads. Any more rumors on this?

[MadJack]

I wish Dillard's would move to Westroads. Any more rumors on this?

As of 6 weeks ago, I know they were still working on it. Haven't heard anything since then. It's my understanding both sides have a lot of requirements in order for the deal to happen.

[Cermak]

I wish Dillard's would move to Westroads. Any more rumors on this?

As of 6 weeks ago, I know they were still working on it. Haven't heard anything since then. It's my understanding both sides have a lot of requirements in order for the deal to happen.

That would be great if Dillards made the move to Westroads. Seems to make sense, even if they own the Oakview store.

[Brad]

I saw a headline that Forever 21 is closing all locations. They have quite a bit of square footage at Westroads if I remember correctly.

[schumatt]

I saw a headline that Forever 21 is closing all locations. They have quite a bit of square footage at Westroads if I remember correctly.

Yes, most of the basement and what was the Disney Store (1st floor near center court, at the start of the Von Maur wing).

[omaha79]

Maybe they will open a Shein or Amazon fashion store as that seems to be what's replaced things like Forever 21 for "fast fashion". lol.

[Cermak]

I saw a headline that Forever 21 is closing all locations. They have quite a bit of square footage at Westroads if I remember correctly.

Yes, most of the basement and what was the Disney Store (1st floor near center court, at the start of the Von Maur wing).

Pretty big blow to Westroads. Especially the basement space.

[djc311]

I saw a headline that Forever 21 is closing all locations. They have quite a bit of square footage at Westroads if I remember correctly.

Yes, most of the basement and what was the Disney Store (1st floor near center court, at the start of the Von Maur wing).

Pretty big blow to Westroads. Especially the basement space.

Yeah, that's gonna sting. I was actually disappointed when they converted all the retail in the that joke of a arcade/putt putt place... then when they shut that down to give a single store all of that space plus 1st floor retail, I was shocked. I imagine they had to be paying tens of thousands a month on rent for that space... so now wonder they're going bankrupt.

Miss the days of the music shop down there with the restaurant, etc... Watch them not even rent it out, turn it into some type of storage or something.

[iamjacobm]

Planning board to consider Westroads to be included as an Area of Civic Importance. Curious to see what is in the docs when they are posted.

[Greg S]

I saw a headline that Forever 21 is closing all locations. They have quite a bit of square footage at Westroads if I remember correctly.

Yes, most of the basement and what was the Disney Store (1st floor near center court, at the start of the Von Maur wing).

Pretty big blow to Westroads. Especially the basement space.

Yeah, that's gonna sting. I was actually disappointed when they converted all the retail in the that joke of a arcade/putt putt place... then when they shut that down to give a single store all of that space plus 1st floor retail, I was shocked. I imagine they had to be paying tens of thousands a month on rent for that space... so now wonder they're going bankrupt.

Miss the days of the music shop down there with the restaurant, etc... Watch them not even rent it out, turn it into some type of storage or something.

Yeah that area downstairs used to be really cool. I vaguely remember some stuff in the middle and it was a couple levels actually. This would have been very early 80's. I think the Deli and Revolving Door lounge followed.

[iamjacobm]

Planning board to consider Westroads to be included as an Area of Civic Importance. Curious to see what is in the docs when they are posted.

Nothingburger. Just standard city zoning overlay stuff nothing planned.

[ita]

Planning board to consider Westroads to be included as an Area of Civic Importance. Curious to see what is in the docs when they are posted.

Nothingburger. Just standard city zoning overlay stuff nothing planned.

It's not a complete nothingburger. The overlay shows "west anchor improvements" and shows a two-story addition to the old Younkers and realignment of the adjacent street and parking lot. There must be something contemplated, even though the document says there are no plans.

[MadJack]

These moves are being made to accommodate Dillard's.

[Bob from Omaha]

Original plans for Westroads. From September 10, 1959

[BRoss]

According to planning docs, it looks like the old Granite City building is going to be torn down for more parking and the old Yonkers building will be expanded by 32,372 square feet. Wonder if Dillards is moving here.

https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... May/14.pdf

[OmahaRedWing]

According to planning docs, it looks like the old Granite City building is going to be torn down for more parking and the old Yonkers building will be expanded by 32,372 square feet. Wonder if Dillards is moving here.

https://planning.cityofomaha.org/images ... May/14.pdf

Wow something is happening. This sounds like great news for Westroads. Great find!

[Gobears27]

Is this the final nail in oakview malls coffin?

[Greg S]

Is this the final nail in oakview malls coffin?

If it's Dillards.

[MadJack]

Yes it is Dillard's.

[Greg S]

Yes it is Dillard's.

Has that been confirmed/announced?

[BD PC Omaha]

Neither confirmed or announced but heard that they would like to be out of Oakview by March of 26.

[MadJack]

Yes it is Dillard's.

Has that been confirmed/announced?

It has not yet been publicly announced but it's Dillard's. They've literally been working on the deal for years. A lot of people have worked hard and dealt with a lot of frustration to make the deal happen. Long time coming!