Target Move Leaves Some Wondering About Mall

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COUNCIL BLUFFS (KPTM) -- A new Target store opens its doors in Council Bluffs. The 128 thousand square foot facility at Metro Crossing replaces the Target store at the Mall of the Bluffs. It's left some people talking and wondering what's to become of the mall.

Target says its new location is larger, allowing the store to offer more services. The new store has a pharmacy, photo lab, Starbucks, an expanded cafeteria and additional grocery items. But it's also left behind a boarded up building across town. "We're really sad to see Target go. They were a great neighbor," said Skeeter Barnes General Manager Josh Divis.

Divis says Target's move will hurt the Mall of Bluffs and jeopardize the restaurant's business. "J.C. Penney's closed just over a year ago and obviously the traffic flow is down, it's just you have to be more creative in the ways you bring people in and the same thing will happen with Target," he said.

Some diners call it a sad day for Council Bluffs. "We're disappointed. We're worried. You know as to whether the mall is going to be able to stay open and if so how long," said Tom Devar.

But the company that runs the mall says it has no intention of closing. That's despite losing two anchor stores in just over a year. General Growth Properties says its commitment to the mall remains strong, and that it intends to continue to offer shoppers a good mix of retailers.

Council Bluffs leaders say Target's decision is part of a national movement, putting more stand alone stores along the interstate. "I think that the trend is to, at least for these big box stores, to move away from the malls, but I still think the Mall of the Bluffs is a very viable retail operation," said Chamber of Commerce President Bob Mundt.

An operation with stores that still has managers at Skeeter Barnes optimistic about the mall's future. But that isn't keeping the restaurant from expanding its catering business just in case. "We're thinking outside the box. Doing a little different things, so just trying to stay ahead of the game," Divis said.

Council Bluffs leaders tell KPTM so many stores have expanded or built along the interstates over the last several years, that the city has passed one billion dollars in retail sales per year. It's what they call an "incredible accomplishment" compared to where the city had been.