Part 2: Downtown Duluth: What’s Next?
DULUTH, Minn. – In Part 2 of a special report, Downtown Duluth: What’s Next?, you’ll meet a new generation of business developers who are determined to make their mart on West Superior Street – all during a time when the retail industry is feeling the pressure of online shopping an e-commerce. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports.
A renaissance, a boom, a transformation: However you describe it, things are happening in downtown Duluth.
“You’ve seen a real back-to-the-city movement of people moving back into the downtowns, different types of unique retail coming downtown — our brew pubs,” said Kristi Stokes, president of the Greater Downtown Council.
Stokes points to the Historic Arts and Theatre District on East Superior Street as a prime example of that movement.
“We have the NorShor coming online, which is going to be a total draw for the HART District. That is going to be an anchor there. And it is an area that’s in demand,” Stokes said.
But what about West Superior Street where some businesses there are concerned the longtime retail vibe is dwindling away?
Stokes says the retail industry as a whole is feeling real pressure from online shopping an e-commerce but believes downtown retail is simply evolving into a niche market.
“Absolutely, that niche type of retail is something that’s a real draw. It’s a destination. It’s something that really makes up the thread of the fabric of our community. Something that makes us unique,” Stokes explained.
Mariah McKechnie is the owner of Northland Special Events on the 300 block of West Superior Street.
“I love it here. I love the urban environment that downtown creates. I love the foot traffic,” McKechnie said.
McKechnie recently diversified Northland Special Events by launching an umbrella business called DuluthBalloonCompany.com
The site was developed after fierce online competition forced the closure of her former longtime business – Northland Party – up by the Miller Hill Mall.
“I think so often about the image of a customer shoving balloons in their car and having to battle with coming in and getting the balloons and the stress of it. Now, the can go online, pick it out,” McKechnie said.
And on top of that, she’s expanded her floral business to include retail space in the West Superior Street store, making this business model an example of innovation in downtown Duluth.
“I think downtowns are coming back because businesses are saying, hey, if we are all on this block together, we’re going to be a destination point, and Duluth’s downtown is amazingly centrally located,” McKechnie said.
Meanwhile, as retail fluffs its new feather and older traditional businesses like Bagley’s Jewelers closes up, new and younger developers are moving in to appeal to the growing business climate.
“Maurice’s has got a brand new building there. You’ve got a lot of workers there. You’ve got a new parking garage there. We’re a half a block away,” said Kevin Kuklis, a developer from Texas and native of Hermantown.
Kuklis is working to flip the old Bagley’s building into Duluth’s newest collaborative work space.
“There’s a huge workforce selection that is an independent journalist, they’re graphic designers, they’re a web developer. They don’t need a traditional office. They don’t want to sign a five-year lease to be tied up,” Kuklis said.
Kuklis’ vision for the building goes beyond the traditional one-size fits all.
“It could be the coffee shop breakfast place in the morning. It transitions to the fast casual dining at lunch time. It tails off a little bit until 5 p.m. It becomes a happy hour spot where you can come and grab a drink and hang out. It could be a jazz venue at night,” Kuklis said.
The goal, Kuklis says, is to appeal to the ever-changing working professional and entrepreneur.
“It’s a spot somebody can go, run their business out of, but at the same time, it’s a 30-day commitment. You need to leave? You get transferred, you move away. No big deal. And we’re just getting a lot of requests for that,” Kuklis said.
So for anyone quick to say downtown Duluth is dying, those pushing for the next chapter of innovation here would like you to think again and realize nothing happens overnight.
“Ask any property owner, ask any business, things do not happen like that,” Stokes said.
Another big transformation in the works for downtown Duluth is the Superior Street reconstruction project.
Stokes says it will happen in three phases and is expected to start in 2018.
The first phase will take place on West Superior Street followed by East Superior Street with an ending in the middle of Superior Street.
