March 14, 2024

The line out the door at the new Sioux Falls Dillard’s could lead — symbolically, at least — to more development in and around The Empire Mall.

“We’re just naturally going to see more traffic because of the newness of Dillard’s and the whole shopping experience,” mall general manager Dan Gies said.

That already has been apparent in the food court, he said, where the Dillard’s 11 a.m. opening — in contrast to the broader mall at 10 a.m. — has prompted early shoppers to grab something to eat or drink while waiting for the chance to shop.

“March is typically a great month for us, but coming off of opening through this weekend, it’s just been a significant amount of traffic,” Gies said.

The food court itself is in some transition, but there are multiple potential deals to fill the former Taco John’s space, he said. The former Burger King space is being used for storage, and “we’re really picky on that space because it is our largest one,” Gies said.

Meanwhile, more businesses are opening or getting ready to go. Here’s a look at what’s new.

A ‘wonderland’ of gifts

Sinan Taskin, who also owns Agua Fresh in downtown Sioux Falls, Brookings and Vermillion, has moved his gifts and collectibles business into an open space at center court.

He recently had a seasonal shop at 41st Street and Western Avenue, plus kiosks at the mall.

All merchandise has been consolidated in this space, which he’s renaming Wonderland. In addition to collectible plush and other toys, including video gaming systems, he will sell ornaments and holiday decor by California artist Mark Roberts.

“We wanted to grow up, and so we decided to take this spot,” he said, adding that since opening earlier this month, “we’ve had really busy weekends.”

Miniso opening 

Sometime this month, new retailer Miniso is expected to open in the former David Jones Fashion space, which also used to be Wilson’s Leather. Miniso is a global retailer aimed at younger, value-seeking shoppers. It offers a wide variety of household and consumer goods.

“By the end of this week, they’ll be fully merchandized, so it’s just a matter of getting in and opening the store,” Gies said. “It’s going to be a nice, bright, clean store.”

Garage getting ready

By midyear, the mall also expects Garage to open, taking two spaces — a former GNC and an adjacent space. The women’s clothing store was founded in 1975 in Canada and has more than 300 locations across North America.

“That’ll be a big one,” Gies said. “And then we’ve got quite a few irons in the fire.”

GNC moves

With the addition of Garage, GNC has moved to a new spot.

Find it next to Lauriebelles boutique near the children’s play area.

Go makes a move

Go Calendars Toys & Games didn’t move far, but it does have a new spot.

Find it near JCPenney, where it filled a formerly vacant spot.

What’s ahead 

This could be just the start of new additions at The Empire Mall. The year ahead might include a deal for the former Sears space, where Gies said he hopes to have an announcement sometime this summer, as well as the former Wendy’s outside the mall.

“There’s just a lot of big stuff we’re just waiting on,” he said.

The mall is owned by Simon Property Group, which considers it “super healthy,” according to Dewayne Herbert, a Simon regional vice president, who visited The Empire Mall last week for the Dillard’s grand opening.

“You can tell a lot about a community by its shopping mall, and I think Sioux Falls is a great community, and Empire is a great mall,” he said. “We do a spectacular job leasing it. It’s a gorgeous center.”

At the Dillard’s opening, “I was blown away by people who had come from three hours away,” he said. “The employees had tremendous enthusiasm, and the customers were as equally enthused about Dillard’s being there, and that was really exciting.”

He praised the tenant mix at The Empire Mall, and “I think the high tide will raise all ships,” he continued. “I think Dillard’s will be very productive and in turn help us to be very productive.”

Other shopping malls with large vacant spaces have backfilled them with everything from health care to hotels, entertainment and restaurants, he said.

In Sioux Falls, “everything remains very much on our radar,” Herbert said. “I can assure you of that. That kind of evolution just in general (like) entertainment uses, restaurant uses, new-to-market retail, they’re all on our radar. I have no doubt we’ll continue to excel whether it’s in those bigger boxes or the out parcels and within the mall.”