Oak View Mall (144 & West Center Rd)

[riceweb]

It's just biz lingo, very common phrase. Related to differentiation / market substitutes. If Oak View can differentiate, they can charge higher rent. And since he wasn't talking to consumers, this phrasing makes even more sense. He was talking to prospective tenants that would know this lingo.

[thejdgates]

It's all a big investment to fix the issues. But the structures and parking are there. We need more housing in Omaha for sure, but it's not likely people want to live in the middle of a parking lot connected to a Food Court and JCPenney.

My feelings are simple on Oakview: Bring the people, the "right" stores will come back. Give me "Oakview Locations" of 3 things: Omaha Children's Museum, Kids medical facility of some sort (Children's or Boy's Town) and either a younger family friendly version of the Joslyn Art Museum OR a rotating exhibit of the Henry Doorly Zoo.

Who have 15-150 million to help make it happen?

[ita]

Mr. Reznick said that Oakview is comparable to another property in their portfolio, Wyoming Valley mall in PA. Apparently 4th Dimension just bought that one as well:

https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local ... b8c3a5279f

As long as bargain basement and traditional mall owners own Oakview, we are not going to see this redeveloped into a mixed residential/retail space. Unfortunately, like others who have already posted, I am not optimistic about this new owner.

[omaha79]

Kid-centric and sticky? Sounds gross.

The Dead Mall death spiral accelerates.

[riceweb]

As long as bargain basement and traditional mall owners own Oakview, we are not going to see this redeveloped into a mixed residential/retail space. Unfortunately, like others who have already posted, I am not optimistic about this new owner.

Based on this guy's comments, I don't think for a second he'd turn down a partner on a redevelopment effort. The problem is that there's nobody coming forward that wants to take the risk densifying / reimagining the area.

[ita]

As long as bargain basement and traditional mall owners own Oakview, we are not going to see this redeveloped into a mixed residential/retail space. Unfortunately, like others who have already posted, I am not optimistic about this new owner.

Based on this guy's comments, I don't think for a second he'd turn down a partner on a redevelopment effort. The problem is that there's nobody coming forward that wants to take the risk densifying / reimagining the area.

Maybe, but based on their portfolio, granted I didn't look at every single property, being part of a redevelopment effort is not part of their business plan. But you're right though, there needs to be someone with the desire to redevelop first and so far, like you said, no developer has shown interest, that we know of. Let's see how this group does. If they are going to start bringing in new amenities, it should occur within the first couple years of ownership, so we shouldn't have to wait too long to see how they manage bringing Oakview back to life.

[Garrett]

From what I gather these people were already the co owners with the last guy though? What sort of inspiring changes are they gonna do now that they haven’t already implemented?

[Omaha Cowboy]

Well, the Mousetrap area (businesses surrounding the Mall which I call the orbit/Oakview Mousetrap) seems to be doing better..

At least they’ve recently re-paved the roads..Huge plus…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[GenX]

I have a hard time picturing this being successful, sticky glue traps or not.

[mrsticka]

Over the last couple months, Sears has been quietly reopening stores they closed around the country. Maybe they'll reopen their former Oak View location? Or at Gateway Mall in Lincoln? Maybe even Conestoga Mall in Grand Island? Probably not. But I wouldn't be surprised if that actually happened.

[OmahaRedWing]

Over the last couple months, Sears has been quietly reopening stores they closed around the country. Maybe they'll reopen their former Oak View location? Or at Gateway Mall in Lincoln? Maybe even Conestoga Mall in Grand Island? Probably not. But I wouldn't be surprised if that actually happened.

How many stores and where are they reopening?

[gisbuxfan]

Over the last couple months, Sears has been quietly reopening stores they closed around the country. Maybe they'll reopen their former Oak View location? Or at Gateway Mall in Lincoln? Maybe even Conestoga Mall in Grand Island? Probably not. But I wouldn't be surprised if that actually happened.

The Grand Island option is out for sure due to the massive makeover the mall is going through. Seems a bit weird that they are trying to comeback from the grave.

[mrsticka]

Over the last couple months, Sears has been quietly reopening stores they closed around the country. Maybe they'll reopen their former Oak View location? Or at Gateway Mall in Lincoln? Maybe even Conestoga Mall in Grand Island? Probably not. But I wouldn't be surprised if that actually happened.

How many stores and where are they reopening?

I don't know how many exactly. But out in California and probably Illinois, they've reopened a few stores.

[djc311]

Would be nice to see OakView get renewed life - unfortunately I don't see it happening.

BTW can anyone see my posts? I believe someone deleted something I posted the other day referencing a particular political figure and apparently that must have rubbed someone the wrong way. LOL

[BRoss]

BTW can anyone see my posts? I believe someone deleted something I posted the other day referencing a particular political figure and apparently that must have rubbed someone the wrong way. LOL

There's no shadow banning here. It wasn't me, but we typically delete political posts that will only lead to fights. We've had a lot of that over the years and it never goes well. We don't hold it against users typically unless it gets out of hand - we just delete the posts. I've even had my posts deleted at times.

We aim to be about city talk. I've always said if you want to argue about politics, go to Reddit.

[nebugeater]

BTW can anyone see my posts? I believe someone deleted something I posted the other day referencing a particular political figure and apparently that must have rubbed someone the wrong way. LOL

There's no shadow banning here. It wasn't me, but we typically delete political posts that will only lead to fights. We've had a lot of that over the years and it never goes well. We don't hold it against users typically unless it gets out of hand - we just delete the posts. I've even had my posts deleted at times.

We aim to be about city talk. I've always said if you want to argue about politics, go to Reddit.

I deleted it for the exact reasons stated above.

Anyone who cares to remember back to four years ago in the presidential election year will remember how bad it got. It took a lot of effort at that time to clean it up. Being an election year again, there will be a short string of things turning political. There are plenty of places to have those debates ( fights), but This is not one of them.

[Omaha Cowboy]

BTW can anyone see my posts? I believe someone deleted something I posted the other day referencing a particular political figure and apparently that must have rubbed someone the wrong way. LOL

There's no shadow banning here. It wasn't me, but we typically delete political posts that will only lead to fights. We've had a lot of that over the years and it never goes well. We don't hold it against users typically unless it gets out of hand - we just delete the posts. I've even had my posts deleted at times.

We aim to be about city talk. I've always said if you want to argue about politics, go to Reddit.

I deleted it for the exact reasons stated above.

Anyone who cares to remember back to four years ago in the presidential election year will remember how bad it got. It took a lot of effort at that time to clean it up. Being an election year again, there will be a short string of things turning political. There are plenty of places to have those debates ( fights), but This is not one of them.

The only year (2020)we allowed political/social justice talk, and it almost ruined the forum. We had to scorch the earth- and bring this forum back to the talk it was intended for- Omaha development, happenings, entertainment etc and general city talk..

As BRoss stated, if one has a political and or social agenda driven post, take that to the Omaha Reddit page. It’s more than accommodating for that type of chatter..

Back to Oakview Mall and Mousetrap discussion…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Louie]

Back to Oakview Mall and Mousetrap discussion…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Indeed! My favorite is the classic Victor traps (labeled Also Great here: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/revi ... mousetrap/), but I'm keen to hear y'all's favorite!

[Omaha Cowboy]

Back to Oakview Mall and Mousetrap discussion…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Indeed! My favorite is the classic Victor traps (labeled Also Great here: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/revi ... mousetrap/), but I'm keen to hear y'all's favorite!

Lol …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Cermak]

I’ve been walking in this mall lately, trying to lose a few Holiday pounds. It’s pretty convenient to my house about 10 minutes. I walked in the Dillard’s for the first time in years, I was impressed with it. It was clean and seemed to be in good condition. I for some reason was expecting it to be sort of worn and tired looking, that wasn’t the case at all. It also had more than a few customers, it wasn’t empty. Was glad to see that it seems to be doing at least OK . In contrast I checked out the Penny’s as well, it was pretty much empty except for a few customers, probably less than 5. And the first floor entrance inside the mall has been closed off, which was a little weird. This was during a weekday around 1pm.

I still think some sort of long term plan needs to be made for this mall. It’s without a doubt dying, and if left alone will continue to deteriorate. And could become a negative to the surrounding neighborhood down the road. If it isn’t already. But it’s currently one of the best places in Omaha to walk indoors during the winter, it’s excellent for that.

[ChadJK]

I walked in the Dillard’s for the first time in years, I was impressed with it. It was clean and seemed to be in good condition. I for some reason was expecting it to be sort of worn and tired looking, that wasn’t the case at all. It also had more than a few customers, it wasn’t empty. Was glad to see that it seems to be doing at least OK .

I was always a fan of Dillards. Their customer service was always superior to the other mall anchors around Omaha (Younkers, JC Penney, Sears). Though, I haven't been a regular shopper there for awhile now. I have no idea why. I'm glad to hear the one at Oak View Mall was looking decent. Last time I was in the one at Oak View there were several maintenance issues. The carpet was stained, the walls were dinged, the furniture (those arm chairs you can sit in while your wife shops... lol) needed replaced, laminate was peeling off the countertops at the checkout stations, and so forth. It just looked like the place had been on a minimum maintenance budget for the last 10+ years.

Do they still plan on moving to Westroads Mall?

[nebugeater]

I walked in the Dillard’s for the first time in years, I was impressed with it. It was clean and seemed to be in good condition. I for some reason was expecting it to be sort of worn and tired looking, that wasn’t the case at all. It also had more than a few customers, it wasn’t empty. Was glad to see that it seems to be doing at least OK .

I was always a fan of Dillards. Their customer service was always superior to the other mall anchors around Omaha (Younkers, JC Penney, Sears). Though, I haven't been a regular shopper there for awhile now. I have no idea why. I'm glad to hear the one at Oak View Mall was looking decent. Last time I was in the one at Oak View there were several maintenance issues. The carpet was stained, the walls were dinged, the furnite (those arm chairs you can sit in while your wife shops... lol) needed replaced, laminate was peeling off the countertops at the checkout stations, and so forth. It just looked like the place had been on a minimum maintenance budget for the last 10+ years.

Do they still plan on moving to Westroads Mall?

Hasn't it just been a rumor and not a plan?

[Omaha Cowboy]

I walked in the Dillard’s for the first time in years, I was impressed with it. It was clean and seemed to be in good condition. I for some reason was expecting it to be sort of worn and tired looking, that wasn’t the case at all. It also had more than a few customers, it wasn’t empty. Was glad to see that it seems to be doing at least OK .

I was always a fan of Dillards. Their customer service was always superior to the other mall anchors around Omaha (Younkers, JC Penney, Sears). Though, I haven't been a regular shopper there for awhile now. I have no idea why. I'm glad to hear the one at Oak View Mall was looking decent. Last time I was in the one at Oak View there were several maintenance issues. The carpet was stained, the walls were dinged, the furnite (those arm chairs you can sit in while your wife shops... lol) needed replaced, laminate was peeling off the countertops at the checkout stations, and so forth. It just looked like the place had been on a minimum maintenance budget for the last 10+ years.

Do they still plan on moving to Westroads Mall?

Hasn't it just been a rumor and not a plan?

It’s been one of those “heard through someone who works at Dillard’s that they plan to close Oakview and move to Westroads…” etc etc etc for a good 6-7 years now, lol. As far as I know, it’s only been rumored. As I posted in this thread at least 4 years back, Dillard’s owns the parcel location at Oakview. So it doesn’t surprise me it looks in good shape with a lively amount of customers on a weekday afternoon..

If Dillard’s is doing good business at the parcel location which they also own, I’d think it would make it much more difficult for them to uproot and move to Westroads when in their mind they’re likely thinking- Why bother?…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[ChadJK]

It’s been one of those “heard through someone who works at Dillard’s that they plan to close Oakview and move to Westroads…” etc etc etc for a good 6-7 years now, lol. As far as I know, it’s only been rumored. As I posted in this thread at least 4 years back,

I'm sure there's a grain of truth to it. I could totally imagine a situation years ago where the regional/district manager was visiting and talking to the Oak View store manager and an employee overheard them discussing that Dillard's did some high-level preliminary study into maybe moving to Westroads. Now, take that, stick it in the rumor mill for processing and... voila!

[Omaha Cowboy]

I'm sure there's a grain of truth to it. I could totally imagine a situation years ago where the regional/district manager was visiting and talking to the Oak View store manager and an employee overheard them discussing that Dillard's did some high-level preliminary study into maybe moving to Westroads. Now, take that, stick it in the rumor mill for processing and... voila!

Possibly..

But it could also be unsubstantiated nonsense thrown out there by the “I hate Oakview and wish it would get bulldozed” crowd. Who knows..

But the real thing that should not be lost here (at least to me), is the comment cermak made as he was walking through the Dillard’s location on a weekday afternoon recently..He expected it to look worn and dingy.. kind of take on the shape of a store located within a “dying mall”..and what a store in that circumstance *should* look like..He was surprised to discover it’s interior looked fresh and lively (not dingy, with the smell of “death” lol) and there were actually a goodly amount of customers shopping there as well.. Like I stated, this is NOT surprising to me..as Dillard’s actually owns their Oakview parcel location..

If they’re doing good business at that location, at a parcel which they also own..then again, it begs the question about this alleged/gossiped move by Dillard’s from Oakview to Westroads- Why bother?..

I’m not saying it won’t happen, but in my mind, thinking about it from perhaps the Dillard’s perspective, that might be exactly what they’re thinking..

Who knows.. It is interesting fodder for us to discuss here however …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[nebport5]

Or at this point...maybe they're waiting to be a part of Crossroads?

[Omaha Cowboy]

Or at this point...maybe they're waiting to be a part of Crossroads?

Aha! Yet another possibility, Lol..

(Again, who knows )…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[nebport5]

Or at this point...maybe they're waiting to be a part of Crossroads?

Aha! Yet another possibility, Lol..

(Again, who knows )…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

And another yet...they move back to Crossroads and turn the Oakview store into a discount location.

[Omaha Cowboy]

Or at this point...maybe they're waiting to be a part of Crossroads?

Aha! Yet another possibility, Lol..

(Again, who knows )…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

And another yet...they move back to Crossroads and turn the Oakview store into a discount location.

And another..

Perhaps they open a new Dillard’s location at Crossroads and keep Oakview in tact.. Giving them the 2 prominent locations they should have within a 1 million population metro…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[mrsticka]

When Brandeis closed its Crossroads location, it should've been turned into a Macy's.

[nebugeater]

I overheard a conversation from a person in the passenger seat of a car at the McDonald's in Gretna say to someone in the back seat while the driver was ordering that Dillards was the #1 tenant announcement that will take place for the Nebraska Crossing expansion. I heard all this while I was at the counter ordering my Tripple whopper. Let me tell you, ordering a whopper at McDonald's really threw them for a loop, but they got it done!

An additional nugget that I got over the drive-through order speaker listening in on the conversation is that the #2 announcement will be the world's largest LEGO store. They said that once the Lego people heard that HyVee built their world's largest store in Gretna, they were not going to be outdone. They canceled their plans to go into the existing outlet development due to size limitations and immediately requested permission to build at the expansion location. They plan to build as close to the new Menard amusmnet park that will be there that is not announced officially yet either.

[HughJ]

I overheard a conversation from a person in the passenger seat of a car at the McDonald's in Gretna say to someone in the back seat while the driver was ordering that Dillards was the #1 tenant announcement that will take place for the Nebraska Crossing expansion. I heard all this while I was at the counter ordering my Tripple whopper. Let me tell you, ordering a whopper at McDonald's really threw them for a loop, but they got it done!

An additional nugget that I got over the drive-through order speaker listening in on the conversation is that the #2 announcement will be the world's largest LEGO store. They said that once the Lego people heard that HyVee built their world's largest store in Gretna, they were not going to be outdone. They canceled their plans to go into the existing outlet development due to size limitations and immediately requested permission to build at the expansion location. They plan to build as close to the new Menard amusmnet park that will be there that is not announced officially yet either.

☝ This is hilarious

[nebport5]

Is there a February Fool's Day?

[djc311]

I overheard a conversation from a person in the passenger seat of a car at the McDonald's in Gretna say to someone in the back seat while the driver was ordering that Dillards was the #1 tenant announcement that will take place for the Nebraska Crossing expansion. I heard all this while I was at the counter ordering my Tripple whopper. Let me tell you, ordering a whopper at McDonald's really threw them for a loop, but they got it done!

An additional nugget that I got over the drive-through order speaker listening in on the conversation is that the #2 announcement will be the world's largest LEGO store. They said that once the Lego people heard that HyVee built their world's largest store in Gretna, they were not going to be outdone. They canceled their plans to go into the existing outlet development due to size limitations and immediately requested permission to build at the expansion location. They plan to build as close to the new Menard amusmnet park that will be there that is not announced officially yet either.

I see that all happening 100%.

I'm shocked, though, that nothing was mentioned about IKEA's plan to open in Omaha with a Great Wolf Lodge type hotel attached that will feature attractions you have to assemble yourself before you can ride on them.

[nebugeater]

I overheard a conversation from a person in the passenger seat of a car at the McDonald's in Gretna say to someone in the back seat while the driver was ordering that Dillards was the #1 tenant announcement that will take place for the Nebraska Crossing expansion. I heard all this while I was at the counter ordering my Tripple whopper. Let me tell you, ordering a whopper at McDonald's really threw them for a loop, but they got it done!

An additional nugget that I got over the drive-through order speaker listening in on the conversation is that the #2 announcement will be the world's largest LEGO store. They said that once the Lego people heard that HyVee built their world's largest store in Gretna, they were not going to be outdone. They canceled their plans to go into the existing outlet development due to size limitations and immediately requested permission to build at the expansion location. They plan to build as close to the new Menard amusmnet park that will be there that is not announced officially yet either.

I see that all happening 100%.

I'm shocked, though, that nothing was mentioned about IKEA's plan to open in Omaha with a Great Wolf Lodge type hotel attached that will feature attractions you have to assemble yourself before you can ride on them.

I assume that I didn't hear that part since the order was placed and they moved on before the conversation was completed.

[djc311]

[mrsticka]

Okay, I've made 2 versions of directories of Oak View Mall. I realize I'm probably just beating a dead horse at this point. But this time, I made some adjustments. Particularly to the food court. It was REALLY hard to get it right. I hope this is satisfactory.

Actual (How it was built):


Custom (How I think it should've been built):


Food Court:


Had Oak View been built like this when it first opened in 1991, I bet it would've been the greatest, coolest mall in Omaha. Yeah, okay, that's probably stretching it a bit. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time to before it was built so I could make a blueprint of the custom directory and show it to the construction company that built the mall.

[HskrFanMike]

I think the beginning of the downturn of Oak View was when Champps Americana went belly-up due to a corporate reorganization. It was always packed on Friday and Saturday nights, and people frequently went shopping if they had a 45 minute wait. Village Point didn't help matters either.

[NEDodger]

I think the beginning of the downturn of Oak View was when Champps Americana went belly-up due to a corporate reorganization. It was always packed on Friday and Saturday nights, and people frequently went shopping if they had a 45 minute wait. Village Point didn't help matters either.

That place had the biggest mountain of nachos plate I’ve ever seen. 25 years later, I still remember that monstrosity.

[Cermak]

I think the beginning of the downturn of Oak View was when Champps Americana went belly-up due to a corporate reorganization. It was always packed on Friday and Saturday nights, and people frequently went shopping if they had a 45 minute wait. Village Point didn't help matters either.

That place had the biggest mountain of nachos plate I’ve ever seen. 25 years later, I still remember that monstrosity.

Champps was a good place. It usually had big crowds and was a good sized restaurant from what I remember. I can’t remember what year it closed but OakView never had a restaurant as successful as Champps again.