June 5, 2025

Hollister is returning to The Empire Mall, Carhartt and Perfume Palace are opening, and Lululemon is expanding.

Those are just some retail moves occurring or already done at the state’s largest enclosed mall.

Hollister, which had a store in Sioux Falls more than a decade ago, is a teen-focused apparel retailer and part of Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

It’s moving into the former Forever 21 space.

“Hollister will be a nice step up, and we’re glad to be getting them back in,” mall general manager Dan Gies said.

The brand recently delivered record quarterly earnings and its eighth consecutive quarter of sales growth.

The longtime former Verizon space adjacent to the food court, with its own exterior entrance, will become a new Carhartt location, offering its signature workwear in addition to men’s, women’s, kids’, footwear and personal protective clothing.

“It’s a great space,” Gies said. “They already have a lot of loyal customers — they’re a loyalty brand, for sure.”

As is often the case to accommodate new or growing tenants, others have moved around — creating a domino effect of changes across the property.

Lululemon, which opened at the mall originally in 2018 to test the market during the holiday season, will be moving from its 3,000-square-foot space to a newly combined 8,000-square-foot one nearby.

It was made available when accessory shop Lovisa moved into the former GameStop location in May and PINK by Victoria’s Secret consolidated with Victoria’s Secret. Bella Brow Bar then went down to one location in the mall.

“So (Lululemon is) picking up about 65 percent more space,” Gies said. “They’re killing. They’re very event-driven … and they do a lot with the community, but obviously their product is excellent. You’re going to see a big expansion to fill that square footage, mostly in men’s.”

National retailer Perfume Palace is coming to The Empire Mall, too, filling the former Journeys Kidz Store space.

Perfume Palace offers brand-name fragrances for men and women at discounted prices.

All four tenant changes are expected to wrap up this fall in time for holiday shopping.

Other additions, changes

In the meantime, there are several other new additions or changes at The Empire Mall:

• Lovesac opens

National furniture retailer Lovesac has opened in a space facing center court. The retailer specializes in a patented modular furniture system called Sactionals.

“It’s one of their largest locations,” Gies said.

Products include the versatile AnyTable, premium foam beanbag chairs called Sacs and the PillowSac Accent Chair.

• Wonderland moves

Toy and decor shop Wonderland, which also carries many seasonal items, has moved into the Macy’s wing.

• Lauriebelles evolves

Local boutique Lauriebelles has shifted its mall location to a more outlet-style shop with additional savings.

Find it next to GNC not far from the children’s play area.

Everything is marked at least 40 percent off.

Also coming soon

Local business Sawyer Wood Products opens next week next to Macy’s in the former space for Shoe Diva, which moved to The Bridges at 57th.

“That’s going to be really cool,” Gies said. “It’s a different feel because it’s showroom retail.”

The business offers custom cabinets and wood products.

There’s also a new Portugal circus coming to the mall’s parking lot this month, and much of the parking lot is getting a major asphalt improvement this week.