urbanSTL

10-intuition wrote:^ why not try to get Von Maur to get into that space?

My guess is that Westfield has already approached other department store companies, and none are interested. It's a big investment to move into a market where one is unknown. It's not just a matter of rehabbing the store and bringing in merchandise, suddenly you have to buy advertising air time in an entire market -- solely to support one store.

My guess is that Westfield has already approached other department store companies, and none are interested. It's a big investment to move into a market where one is unknown. It's not just a matter of rehabbing the store and bringing in merchandise, suddenly you have to buy advertising air time in an entire market -- solely to support one store.

Von Maur is doing just that right now, moving into markets where they have no other store. They are looing at medium-to large size metro areas in the midwest. They are building a store in Kansas City, and took over a Lord and Taylor store in Columbus, OH, bringing Ohio their only Von Maur store. The only reason I can think of as why Von Maur would not open at West County is beacuse Nordstrom would block it. Von Maur goes right after the same market at Nordstom. For West County to bring in a new department store, they would have go get approval from all the other department stores, well if that is in their lease and I'm sure it is.

ChesterfieldKid03 wrote:... The only reason I can think of as why Von Maur would not open at West County is beacuse Nordstrom would block it. Von Maur goes right after the same market at Nordstom. For West County to bring in a new department store, they would have go get approval from all the other department stores, well if that is in their lease and I'm sure it is.

I'm not sure how lease agreements work between mall property owners and department stores, but that does make some sense. This certainly was the historic case between Famous-Barr and Stix, Baer & Fuller, with one or the other having "exclusive" or "largest store" rights at area malls.



It seems like a bad deal to me for the developer and for consumers, but I suppose if that's how you get department stores to committ to investing in an area, then it's what you have to do.

Tysalpha wrote:

ChesterfieldKid03 wrote:... The only reason I can think of as why Von Maur would not open at West County is beacuse Nordstrom would block it. Von Maur goes right after the same market at Nordstom. For West County to bring in a new department store, they would have go get approval from all the other department stores, well if that is in their lease and I'm sure it is.

I'm not sure how lease agreements work between mall property owners and department stores, but that does make some sense. This certainly was the historic case between Famous-Barr and Stix, Baer & Fuller, with one or the other having "exclusive" or "largest store" rights at area malls.



It seems like a bad deal to me for the developer and for consumers, but I suppose if that's how you get department stores to committ to investing in an area, then it's what you have to do.

But I thought those big mall anchors owned their own buildings and are not officially mall property? For example that's the reason that Dillards has different (shorter) operating hours than the test of the malls.



That how I understand it from working at Chesterfield Mall eons ago back in highschool.

Many of the department stores at malls do own their buildings, but not the land that it sits on. Lord and Taylor sold Westfield the building after it closed.



Here is a little clip from the Columbus, OH daily newspaper about a similar situation where the mall operator wanted to get rid of a deparment and build an open air section.

The mall’s five other anchors would have to approve the changes. One is Macy’s, also owned by Federated, which said last year it plans to close the Kaufmann’s store.



"The anchors have a right to have a voice, but at the end of the day they might appreciate having one less department store at Polaris," Yale said. "If we can build it out the way we think we can, the mall will be that much more of a draw."

dweebe wrote:But I thought those big mall anchors owned their own buildings and are not officially mall property? For example that's the reason that Dillards has different (shorter) operating hours than the test of the malls.



That how I understand it from working at Chesterfield Mall eons ago back in highschool.

It varies, although the trend has been more and more toward letting the mall developer own the store. In some cases, the department store will own their building but not the parket lot around it -- this limits their liability for accidents, etc. In other cases, they lease the building as well, although in new developments often this is done in a way that they can control construction of their building. I don't think any department store outright own their properties anymore, except for those that are older (30+ years) before leasing became common.

One tenant I could see for the West County "Lord and Taylor" spot would be a Circuit City. It would be something different and expand their selection for customers.

how about the old Lord and Taylor location at the Galleria, anyone know of dept stores or the replacement for that vacant spot.

Anyone know which mall is the premier mall in st. louis.? The Galleria or West county? More specifically which mall is more profitable...which brings in more income? Which brings in more tax dollars? In my opinion the Galleria store would be the first to be filled.



thanks

bpe235 wrote:Anyone know which mall is the premier mall in st. louis.? The Galleria or West county? More specifically which mall is more profitable...which brings in more income? Which brings in more tax dollars? In my opinion the Galleria store would be the first to be filled.



thanks

I think dollars per square foot is the standard metric... most companies track this internally to look for trends, and it may be reported to financial media. I don't know if it's public information.

bpe235 wrote:Anyone know which mall is the premier mall in st. louis.? The Galleria or West county? More specifically which mall is more profitable...which brings in more income? Which brings in more tax dollars? In my opinion the Galleria store would be the first to be filled.



thanks

The Galleria's selection is so much more robust. It's really the only mall where I even consider shopping

Haven't been to west county in sometime ( other thand to get a suit from Nordsrom.) Are most of the stores still geared toward high school and college women, soccer moms and milfs???)

Yup, 80% of the store just seemed to be geared towards women when I was there last(2-3 years ago).

DES PERES: Old Lord & Taylor will be restaurants, shops



08/16/2006



Two new restaurants and several more shops are planned in the space formerly occupied by Lord & Taylor at West County Center.



The Board of Aldermen has approved amendments to convert the 140,000-square-foot department store into additional mall space to allow the shops and restaurants. Lord & Taylor closed last month after Federated Department Stores sold its Lord & Taylor Division to NRDC Equity Partners.



Todd Rogan, development director for Westfield, the shopping center's owner, told the aldermen this week that his company previously had turned away potential tenants because of lack of space. Rogan said the company now would be able to accommodate some of those stores and restaurants.



Westfield plans to begin work this winter to complete the project in time for the holiday shopping season in 2007.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CITY OF DES PERES, MISSOURI

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MISSOURI

AUGUST 16, 2006



CITY APPROVES CHANGES FOR WEST COUNTY CENTER



At their meeting held August 14, 2006, the Board of Aldermen gave approval for the

redevelopment of the former Lord & Taylor building by Westfield into mini-anchor, small retail

and two (2) additional restaurant spaces.



“When Lord & Taylor announced closing of their stores in St. Louis, we were concerned that sale

of the building and leasing of the space would drag out as Federated attempted to sell the entire

Lord & Taylor chain nationwide. We are appreciative that Westfield moved aggressively to

acquire the building from Federated and will invest $50 million in the further development of

West County Center to bring this new space on line by November 1, 2007. Both the Planning &

Zoning Commission and Board of Aldermen are excited about this new space as evidenced by

the quick and unanimous approval by both bodies of this redevelopment plan. This presents an

opportunity for Westfield to bring new tenants to the center offering the shoppers exciting new

choices.”, said Mayor Rick Lahr.



Westfield representatives indicated that Westfield had recently displayed this new space at the

ICSC convention and received an overwhelming response from retailers interested in West

County Center. That response caused Westfield to accelerate the schedule for redevelopment of

the space in order to reopen for the 2007 Christmas shopping season. Westfield representatives

also indicated that this new space will allow Westfield to bring new stores into the center that they

previously could not accommodate.



The redevelopment will involve converting the 140,000 square foot space previously occupied by

Lord & Taylor into additional mall space for up to four (4) mini-anchors, small retail shops and

restaurants. In addition, the building will be expanded slightly to replace leasable space lost to the

creation of a new common court. This expansion is to the west side of the building and on the

west side of the Manchester Parking garage creating new retail and restaurant spaces with both

mall and exterior access. The overall leasable square footage of the mall will not change

substantially as a result of the conversion and expansion.



“Shopping centers need to constantly change in response to customer expectations for shopping,

dining and as a place to gather. This redevelopment allows West County Center to meet those

needs and to bring a new and exciting retail look to the front door of the center and create more

public spaces in the mall. This will help keep West County competitive in the very tight retail

market in St. Louis”, said City Administrator Douglas J. Harms.



Westfield also announced that it will use this opportunity to also improve the access road into the

mall from Manchester Road. Westfield commissioned a study of mall traffic patterns by

Crawford, Bunte, Brammaier who recommended improvements to the entrance from

Manchester. Those improvements will include reconfiguration of the intersection at Manchester

to more clearly delineate lanes; removal of the internal traffic signal and widening of the access

road to create dedicated left turn lanes to enter the drive to the Manchester Road garage and

Nordstrom parking fields; and installation of overhead signs to direct exiting traffic into the

proper lane for one of three traffic movements: eastbound Manchester, westbound Manchester

and northbound I-270 and southbound I-270.



Mayor Lahr said, “The City of Des Peres cannot overstate the fiscal importance of a health West

County Center to our community. We believe that this change will result in higher sales volumes a

the center which also means higher sales tax revenues for the city a portion of which is used to

accelerate payments on the TIF. We understand that shopping centers are constantly evolving and

changing in response to customer desires. We are very thankful that Westfield is continuing to

invest in West County Center and that they have made a commitment to convert this space

quickly and reopen for the 2007 Christmas shopping season. The city will do everything it can do

to make certain that there are no delays. ”



Westfield representatives advised the Board of Aldermen that the interest in this new space

among retailers is very high but that it is Westfield’s policy to announce tenants only after leases

had been finalized. The city anticipates announcements in the near future about exciting new

tenants for Westfield Shoppingtown West County now that the development plan has been

approved.



Interior demolition within the Lord & Taylor building is expected to commence within the month

and building permits for reconfiguring the space approved before the end of the year. The

anticipated grand opening date of the new space is prior to November 1, 2007.



Contact:

Douglas Harms

City Administrator

Des Peres City Hall

12325 Manchester Road

Des Peres, MO

(314) 835-6100.

Looks like West County is adding stores with external drive-up access, not just internal mall access. Anyone know what the 2 new restaurants will be?

^Just look at Westfield's South County mall. They added a "Dining Terrace" on the north side of the mall that I do not believe even has direct mall access. Qdoba, Noodles & Co., maybe Starbucks?, and a few other stores opened up there. I am guessing West Co. will be similar.

I think the 2 new restaurants will be something that is not yet in St. Louis. Maybe Big Bowl and Ted's Montana' which has been looking at St. Louis. There is also Bravo! Cucina Italiana and Claddagh Irish Pub which is not in the marjet yet. I wouldn't be surprised though to see another P.F. Chang's or Maggiano's open in St. Louis.

Stumbled into a Claddagh in Indy, it's a pretty cool place.

^ Did you stumble out, as well? Or, were you carried out?

How about Champps, or Bubba Gump Shrimp Company. I run into those restaurants in other cities.