Target was recently notched to the list of incoming giant chains. Lured by this bustle, the Chrysler dealer in River Falls will likely move to Hudson soon. So the northward flow, which includes shopping temptations in Woodbury and Maplewood, will continue to pose problems locally. Keeping the River Falls downtown afloat is not only a concern, but one requiring action. There might be hope.
Some experts argue mall fatigue is at the heart of the change.
Enclosed shopping centers are often viewed as sterile and lacking a sense of community and connection. While shopping is the lifeblood of any downtown, new urbanist planners have found that it takes more than neatly arranged stores to create a successful city center. A library, post office, or other civic buildings to attract foot traffic is viewed as a necessity, plus office and living space. The right retail tenants are also considered key. Downtowns, meanwhile, must strive for a unique blend of restaurants, specialty shops and galleries.