March 20, 2008...7:28 am
Value City replacements
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This little tidbit was buried in the comments on this post so I thought I would bring it to the forefront in case someone missed it.
The space being vacated by Value City discount store at FSK Mall will be filled by two new businesses.
William DeTora, the mall’s general manager, said Value City Furniture, owned by a company not connected with the discount store, and DSW-Designer Shoe Warehouse, will take over the space.
There will be two separate entrances after a “reconfiguration” of the space, DeTora said, with the furniture store using 48,000 square feet and the remaining 17,500 square feet for DSW.
Value City Furniture and DSW are expected to move in near the end of the year at FSK Mall.
~Guy~
32 Comments
March 20, 2008 at 8:02 am
Let me restate what I said elsewhere:
These two new stores are a giant leap backward for FSK Mall. The momentum from the new Barnes and Noble is lost. Instead of Value City leaving and FSK Mall undergo a slow, steady upgrading–so that it reflects the increasingly upscale demographics of Frederick County–things appear on indefinite hold. Imagine finding the same stores in the year 2010. That’s quite likely.
Value City Furniture and DSW are a great fit for Frederick Towne Mall–itself slated for destruction. Instead, these discount stores are going to Frederick’s “premier” mall. When three of four FSK anchors are Sears, Value City Furniture, and a shoe warehouse, this (a) clouds the FSK brand/image; (b) makes FSK less appealing to upscale stores and (c) leaves zero room for such mainstream retailers as Old Navy, Crate & Barrell, etc.
As I’ve said, once this recession lifts, some mega-developer needs to build a “mall for the future,” and finally drive a stake in the heart of FSK. It’s a loser.
March 20, 2008 at 9:42 am
I agree 100% with the above post.
March 20, 2008 at 9:46 am
If they do build a new “mall of the future”, hopefully they will find somewhere else to place it in Frederick. Even if FSK is torn down there isnt a lot of room to build a new mall, let alone sufficient parking. It’s just too crowded.
March 20, 2008 at 10:10 am
I agree with you Matthew and have forwarded your comments to PREIT and the Frederick couty Office of Economic Development.
March 20, 2008 at 10:17 am
A new mall would definitely have to be located elsewhere, considering the estimated two-year construction project would require demolishing existing foundations, walls, and ceilings.
Point two: FSK Mall’s footprint is tiny and access remains problematic, improvements or not. Going vertical is one option, but you can’t get past the monumental construction headaches–which would make the two-year cosmetic makeover at Seventh Street Shopping Center pale in insignificance.
Some people argue that enclosed malls are passe, but my guess is that a showcase mall–maybe two stories high, complete with food court and attractive centerpiece–would do gangbusters here in Frederick County. If current trends at FSK Mall continue to 2015 or so, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a mega-developer step forward with plans for a new mall that would excite everyone.
Question: What then happens to FSK Mall?
March 20, 2008 at 10:51 am
Question: What then happens to FSK Mall?
If they do indeed build a new mall elsewhere, then I would say demolish FSK and put some other retail stores in it’s place. Maybe something similar to Westview Center.
March 20, 2008 at 11:00 am
I think they could still put new resteraurants in that FSK mall area and still be successful. All of the places to eat over there are usually crowded.
March 20, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Darrell – we have received your many e-mails regarding FSK Mall and appreciate your interest in this property. You should be aware of the fact that Value City has a long term lease which we inherited when we acquired this Mall in 2003. Since they are not in default and are current in their rent, we have no rights regarding their space. We would like to upscale this property and will continue to look for opportunities to do so.
This is from Ron rubin at PREIT
March 20, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Hey, don’t go harshin’ on DSW. If this new one is like the other DSW stores I’ve been to, the store will be nice (unlike some other grungy shoe or clothing warehouses around here) and the shoes, bags and other merchandise will be (somewhat)upscale. No Jimmy Choos or Manolo Blahniks, but brands like Etienne Aigner and Van Eli and Rockport.
March 20, 2008 at 9:08 pm
But the operative questions are these:
Given FSK has only empty space for a character-defining anchor store–something that isn’t apt to change for many years–are DSW and Value City Furniture the best FSK could have done? No, not even close.
Do DSW and Value City Furniture move FSK forward so that it matches Frederick County’s increasingly upscale demographic? Nope.
Are DSW or Value City Furniture likely to keep shoppers from spending their dollars in Montgomery or Washington counties? No.
DSW might be a welcome mix to an already thriving mall, but FSK needed a major franchise retailer in that spot and they didn’t get it.
March 21, 2008 at 7:03 am
I agree with Matthew’s posts. Although I usually prefer shopping at one of the larger malls, I decided yesterday to give FSK another chance and shop there for Easter. I was sadly disappointed, and after an hour of finding nothing, I still ended up going to Montgomery Mall, where there is more selection. Every time I go to FSK, I find myself disappointed. I wish I could shop here where I live.
March 21, 2008 at 7:50 am
I agree with Matthew. We need stores that are upscale and mainstream. For the longest time I would drive to Gaithersburg or Rockville to do my shopping. I was happy when Macy’s came in, although I have not been happy with their customer service. (I worked in retail years ago and know what is quality customer service). B&N is great to have, but I would like to see the right stores in Frederick so that I don’t have to drive down the road to do my shopping.
And speaking of that, I would love to see the FSK mall move to another location for easier access. It’s a nightmare getting in and out during the Christmas holidays.
Monica
March 21, 2008 at 8:25 am
Matthew:
You and are on the exact same page! Kudos! Monica, you are on the same page too. I would like to shop where I live!!
Contact Ron Rubin at PREIT rubinr@preit.com and let him know how you feel! PREIT needs to hear this!!! Let me know what you hear back
March 21, 2008 at 9:04 am
Let me add this: While there are lots of reasonably affluent shoppers in Frederick County who want a better mall than FSK, there also are thousands of persons who are barely scraping by. I hope the Powers That Be can successfully retool Frederick Towne Mall and give people of moderate and modest means the stores they want.
As a footnote, about 15 years ago, I recall how people from Brunswick and Thurmont and the outlying areas typically shopped at Frederick Towne Mall, while referring to FSK Mall as “the fancy mall.” And back then, FSK was really, really plain.
March 21, 2008 at 9:52 am
Is it me or did Macy’s just take Hecth’s inventory and goose up the prices a little.
I wonder if our shopping future lies not just at FSK, but more dispersed around the area. You may go to the mall, then head over to Westview , then downtown for a little more?
Not convenient (and not my idea of great afternoon), but when you think of shopping in Frederick don’t just focus on FSK.
March 21, 2008 at 10:37 am
I agree re: the need to balance one-stop-shopping with a fair dispersal of shopping around Frederick. My argument is that better planning would have concentrated some really good stores at one, two or three central locations–maybe one at or near FSK Mall, another in Ballenger, and a third north of town.
The alternative is the Rockville Pike concept, which sees hundreds of stores spread across dozens of miles of congested roads. This means having to find a parking spot at every single location. What a hassle to shop at Macy’s, get into your car and head to Best Buy, get into your car and head to Boscov’s, get into your car and head to Target, get into your car and hit WalMart, etc etc etc. Gas is expensive and all that driving around wastes what little time we exurbanites have. (That said, I wouldn’t mind having my own personal shopper!)
Imagine a new Crate & Barrel located near Rt. 26, Old Navy near Target, Nordstrom at FSK Mall, Eddie Bauer on the Golden Mile, and on and on. I hope we can do better than that.
My point is this: Let’s have a really great mall–a place that’s fun to come to–not a 1980s relic.
Re: Macy’s, ask Darrell Russ. He’s the certified fashion king.
March 21, 2008 at 11:28 am
I completely agree with Matthew, Darrell and Monica. We need a new mall in the Frederick area. I think one modeled after the Dulles Town Center would be do-able and successful: it’s a relatively small footprint, 2 storeys, food court, variety of shopping, safe, and packed with young families. I think a lot of people are tired of doing 270 for work and shopping–a truly world-class mall wouldn’t have to be huge, but it would be instantly successful and make a compelling statement regarding Frederick’s future.
March 21, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Matthew:
You are speaking my thoughts! You are a funny guys as well. I like being called th certified fashion king. Nevever been called that..I have been called certifiable. HA HA Jim. You, too, are on the wavelength. A Dulles Town Center would BOOM here! And I DO NOT want to come back to Montgomery County on the weekends. If I am going to have to travel, I am going to towson town Center. Love that place and….it is not HOT as the hinges of h#ll in there. I have been making a pilgramge every Black Friday and do most of my Christmas shopping there. They have Crate and Barrel, of which I get great things at great prices. C&B also boxes things up nice for shipping or wrapping. They also have Nordstrom’s and the Rack, plus Williams Sonoma, J. Crew and just about every other retailer I can think of. I spend pretty big at that mall on that day. I would not go there if Frederick had it all here. Frederick can support it.
March 21, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I predict that if a new mall is built it would be north of the city as that area is pretty open and upscale development has already begun up there. Plus, when the bridge over 15 at Monocacy Boulevard opens it will make getting around better and safer up there.
March 21, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Except for a few items here and there (like at Target, Borders or Best Buy), I don’t do the majority of my Christmas shopping in Frederick. I head down to Columbia Mall. Actually, anytime I want a day to just do a little shopping, I go to Columbia Mall. Then I head to the new Trader Joe’s up the road from that mall.
Having a Barnes & Noble is nice, but I refuse to pay for their discount club. I belong to Border’s Rewards for free, and they sent me discount coupons every week. Plus, Seattle’s Best is so much better than Starbucks.
March 22, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Sheri - you are so right about the savers clubs and the coffee … once I went Borders I never went back.
My other thought is what about the residents who do not have affluent incomes? What mall do those people get if we get a Columbia style Mall in Frederick? I work with the lower income in this area and it sucks when all they have to shop at is Walmart.
I want my area to have a steady value but I also don’t want it to go so far Montgomery County we lose Frederick charm - or has that already left?
March 23, 2008 at 9:59 am
Ann, I agree re: affordable shopping and I touched on this point two days ago:
“Let me add this: While there are lots of reasonably affluent shoppers in Frederick County who want a better mall than FSK, there also are thousands of persons who are barely scraping by. I hope the Powers That Be can successfully retool Frederick Towne Mall and give people of moderate and modest means the stores they want.
As a footnote, about 15 years ago, I recall how people from Brunswick and Thurmont and the outlying areas typically shopped at Frederick Towne Mall, while referring to FSK Mall as “the fancy mall.” And back then, FSK was really, really plain.”
March 24, 2008 at 10:28 am
Sadly I dont see the mall situation changing anytime in the near future.
March 25, 2008 at 8:31 am
I stopped and read the sign that appears in front of the old Pargo’s. It is to be a small strip center ancored by Verizon Wireless and several smaller stores. Apparently Jared is not coming. Ther are to be hair slaons and a clothing store there as well. there is nothing online about it though.
March 25, 2008 at 8:39 am
Darrell: Is it time to launch your “Boycott FSK Mall” campaign? Complaints are mute. Money speaks volumes.
March 25, 2008 at 10:15 am
[...] the solution to our Shopping Mall problem lies to the [...]
March 26, 2008 at 6:31 am
For years, I have been wondering when we will get stores like Nordstrom, Trader Joe’s, Crate & Barrel and the like in Frederick County.
Shopping here remains only slightly better than it was in the 80’s. If I want to do some real shopping, I have to go elsewhere.
What boggles the mind is that Washington County has better shopping. What’s up with that???!!!!
March 26, 2008 at 11:19 am
@ Sheri, I agree with you about B&N, but it looks like Borders may be going belly up.
March 26, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I think it’s too bad about Borders and was surprised to hear of their difficulties. But, guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised, considering the inroads being made by Amazon and others.
Dawn, my co-workers from Hagerstown agree that (1) they much prefer to shop up there and see little reason to come to Frederick and (2) it didn’t used to be that way. It does seem that Frederick’s been left behind for whatever reason, when it comes to retail.
April 2, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Maybe if Borders leaves then we can get the Old Navy!!!! PLEASE!!!!!
April 9, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I just happened upon this web site by chance and fully agree with the posted comments. Having recently moved into this market, I am amazed at the weakness in the retail market, especially the mid to up scale offerings.
Malls are not the answer, there are probably not 10 major malls being developed across the entire country today. The market has moved to open air life style centers anchored by upscale restaurants, movie theatres and the Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, type retailers Frederick County is lacking.
After this segment of the market is fullfilled, when will the new mega grocery stores find Frederick?
April 10, 2008 at 9:02 am
Mike-
The mega grocery stores are already on the way. Wegmens is supposed to be coming to Frederick in the future (2009 I think).
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