Von Maur may be on the way.

Oklahoma City will consider incentives to bring Von Maur store to Quail Springs Mall | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-will-consider-incentives-to-bring-von-maur-store-to-quail-springs-mall/article/3747173)

Von Maur may be on the way.

Oklahoma City will consider incentives to bring Von Maur store to Quail Springs Mall | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-will-consider-incentives-to-bring-von-maur-store-to-quail-springs-mall/article/3747173)

I thought Von Maur was already a done deal at QS?

Nonetheless, its about time OKC has a more upscale department store.

Von Maur isn't the most upscale store, but it's a big step in the right direction. I hope it will get the attention of Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, etc. The Nordstrom Rack will probably garner more attention from Nordstrom than Von Maur though.

Von Maur isn't the most upscale store, but it's a big step in the right direction. I hope it will get the attention of Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, etc. The Nordstrom Rack will probably garner more attention from Nordstrom than Von Maur though.

Agreed. I am sure under normal circumstances Tulsa would get a full-line Nordstrom before OKC would, but being that Tulsa already has Saks, and the market likely isn't large enough for both Nordstrom and Saks, its possible they could open in OKC. It would require either the construction of a new upscale lifestyle center or the departure of one of the anchors at Penn Square i.e. Penney's. I really don't see either in OKC's near future.

Agreed. I am sure under normal circumstances Tulsa would get a full-line Nordstrom before OKC would, but being that Tulsa already has Saks, and the market likely isn't large enough for both Nordstrom and Saks, its possible they could open in OKC. It would require either the construction of a new upscale lifestyle center or the departure of one of the anchors at Penn Square i.e. Penney's. I really don't see either in OKC's near future.

I'm sure they could expand Penn Square to make room if Nordstrom ever got the hots for a full-line store in OKC. An upscale lifestyle center would be more preferable at this point, but I doubt that is likely to happen anytime soon.

A Saks would be a great addition too, but at this point I'm just dreaming for stores of that class locating to OKC.

Steve's new update on the Von Maur incentive.

Sales tax rebate of up to $2 million sought for Quail Springs Mall Von Maur store | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/sales-tax-rebate-of-up-to-2-million-sought-for-quail-springs-mall-von-maur-store/article/3748238)

Agreed. I am sure under normal circumstances Tulsa would get a full-line Nordstrom before OKC would, but being that Tulsa already has Saks, and the market likely isn't large enough for both Nordstrom and Saks, its possible they could open in OKC. It would require either the construction of a new upscale lifestyle center or the departure of one of the anchors at Penn Square i.e. Penney's. I really don't see either in OKC's near future.

I really hope to see JC Penney look to abandon of their Penn Square location and possibly open up a new one like their Moore or MWC one up on NW Expressway. That seems to be their continued movement, despite the troubles with the company. While Penney's and Nordstrom coexist in some malls, Nordstrom is definitely a step up from Macy's/Dillards and a leap up from Penney's. If Penn continues to try to move towards being the high-end mall of the city, they are going to need a higher-end anchor. Keep in mind though that Nordstrom is nice, but is at a level below Saks or Nieman Marcus in many cases. On the east coast, you see Nordstrom in many malls that do not have the higher end anchors.

If Penn continues to try to move towards being the high-end mall of the city, they are going to need a higher-end anchor. Keep in mind though that Nordstrom is nice, but is at a level below Saks or Nieman Marcus in many cases. On the east coast, you see Nordstrom in many malls that do not have the higher end anchors.

Actually, according to WWD, a pretty good authority, Nordstroms is tops.


"Mirror, mirror on the wall, what store is the most luxurious of them all? Nordstrom, apparently.

According to WWD, New York-based research firm Luxury Institute surveyed 1,200 people who earn at least $150,000 annually; these shoppers ranked Nordstrom as the most luxurious department store among other high-end retailers. Nordstrom received a score of 8.41 out of 10, while Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman both received scores of 8.23. This is surprising!

I went to Von Maur store at the mall in Wichita Kansas. The store is very nice and the prices are very upscale they had jeans and shirts as high as 100-150 dollars.

I went to Von Maur store at the mall in Wichita Kansas. The store is very nice and the prices are very upscale they had jeans and shirts as high as 100-150 dollars.

a Buckle store has jeans that begin lower, but they also run further up the price chain as well on some lines.

Actually, according to WWD, a pretty good authority, Nordstroms is tops.


"Mirror, mirror on the wall, what store is the most luxurious of them all? Nordstrom, apparently.

According to WWD, New York-based research firm Luxury Institute surveyed 1,200 people who earn at least $150,000 annually; these shoppers ranked Nordstrom as the most luxurious department store among other high-end retailers. Nordstrom received a score of 8.41 out of 10, while Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman both received scores of 8.23. This is surprising!

When I lived in Charlotte, Nordstrom was below Neiman Marcus. It might not be that way in every market though. I've heard the Tulsa Saks isn't one of their best stores, though I've never been there to check it out.

I hope the Von Maur store does very well. If it does, that may be a signal to other stores that OKC can support high end retail.

I hope the Von Maur store does very well. If it does, that may be a signal to other stores that OKC can support high end retail.

I mentioned it previously, but this is what I'm hoping will happen.

When I lived in Charlotte, Nordstrom was below Neiman Marcus. It might not be that way in every market though. I've heard the Tulsa Saks isn't one of their best stores, though I've never been there to check it out.

I hope the Von Maur store does very well. If it does, that may be a signal to other stores that OKC can support high end retail.

The Tulsa Saks vs a real Saks is sort of like a Walmart Neighborhood Store to a Walmart Super Center.

The way society is today, if the kids want to bling it out, the parents will buy it. That right there tells you that OKC can afford to have high end retail AND if people don't have kids they will spend the money on it if they want it. How do you not risk that venture?

The Tulsa Saks vs a real Saks is sort of like a Walmart Neighborhood Store to a Walmart Super Center.

I am not sure I would make that comparison. The Wal-Mart Neighborhood Markets aren't bad stores, and would actually be decent grocery stores if they didn't bear the Wal-Mart brand. The Supercenters are far less nice and far less enjoyable to shop at but carry much more.

I get what you are saying though. The Tulsa Saks is tiny and only carries a fraction of what a real Saks would.

Sears is still open? I thought it would go out of business already

I think their last day open was sunday.

I think their last day open was sunday.

Well, I am surprised it lasted that long

Yeah, and there were a ton of people over there Sunday. They really didn't have much except for their shelving that they were selling and some clothes and shoes.

Yeah, and there were a ton of people over there Sunday. They really didn't have much except for their shelving that they were selling and some clothes and shoes.

Sears sell clothes and shoes? I do not remember that, I thought they sell TVs and tools

Sears sell clothes and shoes? I do not remember that, I thought they sell TVs and toolsYeah they do(did). All of their tools and electronics were gone. I mean GONE! lol

Yeah they do(did). All of their tools and electronics were gone. I mean GONE! lol

Hahaha!

Yeah they do(did). All of their tools and electronics were gone. I mean GONE! lol
I was there last weekend too. I had forgotten that they were closing and went up there to exchange a broken ratchet, but there was barely anything left, and nothing that I could use. BTW, in case anyone else needs to warranty-exchange a tool you can do so at Ace Hardware now that they are carrying Craftsman. They have a very limited selection, but if they have it, they will honor the warranty.

SUBJECT: Joint Economic Development Agreement with The City of Oklahoma City and Quail
Springs Anchor Acquisition, LLC for the Von Maur Retail Facility Development Project (GEN-ED)

Location
2501 W. Memorial Road

Background
General Growth Properties (“GGP”), owner of Quail Springs Mall has approached
the City regarding 182,000 sf of the former Sears retail space that was vacated on February 1,
2013.

Understanding the importance of sustaining and expanding the City’s tax base, City staff and the
Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City negotiated the attached economic development
agreement with GGP that will enable the City and GGP to meet their economic development goals and
support the regional retail center known as Quail Spring Mall.

On January 22, 2013 the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust received a presentation regarding
the merits of assisting GGP in securing Von Maur as the replacement of the Sears space. The Iowa
based Von Maur would be the first such store in Oklahoma and is expected to generate approximately
$40 million in annual sales. In addition, Von Maur is expected to increase and enhance the overal
tenant mix at Quail Springs Mall.

The Project meets the City's retail incentive policy that promotes the development of new to market
retailers along with supporting regional destinations. The agreement provides a $2 million sales
tax rebate over 10 years. Included is an annual cap starting at $225,000 in year one that climbs to
$275,000 by year eight. To qualify, the retailer's annual sales must be a minimum of $27.5 million
for the first year and a minimum of $30 million in annual sales for the remainder of the agreement.

Estimated Cost
Not to exceed $2,000,000 over a ten year period with annual caps between $225,000 and $275,000.

vonmaur.com (http://www.vonmaur.com/)

http://www.vonmaur.com/Images/Store/4.jpg

http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/lt/lt_cache/thumbnail/960/img/photos/2012/08/11/a5/52/VonMaur_1112_2_748118a.JPG

This is awesome!!!!

When is Von Maur coming to quail? I hope it comes before august of this year and it brings on more upperscale stores in the mall or some older stores back like Gamestop Yankee and A&F. To me Quail is doing fine right now but I think it will do even better with Von Maur.

I never heard of Von Maur but that store looks awesome for women but not much for men from looking at the 2 pictures

Just in case anyone is interested, there is an independently owned Hometown Sears store located at 33rd and Broadway in Edmond, on the southwest corner. It reminds me of the old Sears catalog stores you used to see in small towns. I talked to the owner the last time I was in there, which was before the QS store closed, and she said their business was already picking up and that they may have to knock a wall out and expand since they are the only Sears store on the north side other than the service center on Walnut.

I never heard of Von Maur but that store looks awesome for women but not much for men from looking at the 2 pictures

Well It's going to have two levels. We'll have to wait and see but with a space that big they will have to have a men's section.


When is Von Maur coming to quail? I hope it comes before august of this year and it brings on more upperscale stores in the mall or some older stores back like Gamestop Yankee and A&F. To me Quail is doing fine right now but I think it will do even better with Von Maur.

Do people still wear A&F? I remember when they were all the rage in the early 2000s, but I don't see very many people still wearing them today. Maybe its a teen thing?

Perhaps it's because of my long day, perhaps I'm just dyslexic, but does that mean Von Maur is for sure, definitely, no doubt coming to QS?

Perhaps it's because of my long day, perhaps I'm just dyslexic, but does that mean Von Maur is for sure, definitely, no doubt coming to QS?

That means that OKC has offered them an incentive but it's not final yet. I'd say it's almost a done deal though.

That means that OKC has offered them an incentive but it's not final yet. I'd say it's almost a done deal though.

Thanks lj.

Isn't today the day whether or not they are deciding to put Von Maur in Quail?

Isn't today the day whether or not they are deciding to put Von Maur in Quail?

Let's hope this happens or it's going to be very bad for Quail Springs. I can't think of another anchor that would be willing to locate in OKC that could take the Sears spot.

I don't see why Von Maur would pass this up though. They have stores in markets much smaller than ours like Wichita and they seem to do fine.

Let's hope this happens or it's going to be very bad for Quail Springs. I can't think of another anchor that would be willing to locate in OKC that could take the Sears spot.

I don't see why Von Maur would pass this up though. They have stores in markets much smaller than ours like Wichita and they seem to do fine.

If VOn Maur doesen't happen how about Beall's or Neiman-Marcus?

If VOn Maur doesen't happen how about Beall's or Neiman-Marcus?

Neiman Marcus is a pipe dream in OKC. I would say there is maybe a 1% chance at tops of it happening in the next decade. I am not familiar with Beall's.

Well I can sleep tonight

Council approves Von Maur?s move to OKC | KFOR.com ? Oklahoma City News & Weather from KFOR Television, Oklahoma's News Channel 4 (http://kfor.com/2013/02/26/council-approves-von-maurs-move-to-okc/)

Well I can sleep tonight

Council approves Von Maur?s move to OKC | KFOR.com ? Oklahoma City News & Weather from KFOR Television, Oklahoma's News Channel 4 (http://kfor.com/2013/02/26/council-approves-von-maurs-move-to-okc/)

I hate this kind of government handout for retail. This was all unheard of before our huge giveaway to Bass Pro. It opens up a can of worms, as in if we can give a couple of million in tax breaks for a new store, in this case, Van Mauer, where's the tax break to KEEP their competition in operation in Oklahoma City? If every new operation that wants to come to OKC knows they can get sweetheart deals, they will surely be asking for them. Whole Foods went through a private sweetheart, Von Mauer goes to the taxpayers. Who's next? Step right up. Ah, you just gotta love the free market, except when it's not anything of the sort. Yet, they'll say they're conservatives downtown.

Well I can sleep tonight

Council approves Von Maur?s move to OKC | KFOR.com ? Oklahoma City News & Weather from KFOR Television, Oklahoma's News Channel 4 (http://kfor.com/2013/02/26/council-approves-von-maurs-move-to-okc/) The link says it scheduled opening is December 31, 2014. That seems to be a long time to renovate the space and get the store opened? Alot can happen between now and December 2014. Almost 2 years?

I hate this kind of government handout for retail. This was all unheard of before our huge giveaway to Bass Pro. It opens up a can of worms, as in if we can give a couple of million in tax breaks for a new store, in this case, Van Mauer, where's the tax break to KEEP their competition in operation in Oklahoma City? If every new operation that wants to come to OKC knows they can get sweetheart deals, they will surely be asking for them. Whole Foods went through a private sweetheart, Von Mauer goes to the taxpayers. Who's next? Step right up. Ah, you just gotta love the free market, except when it's not anything of the sort. Yet, they'll say they're conservatives downtown.

Why would you consider retail government incentives to be worse than others? It will provide employment, sales tax, and will help keep a major retail center viable. The comparison to Bass Pro isn't valid. The is not an OKC phenomenon. It happens everywhere. And, if they are anywhere near as successful as Whole Foods has been, it will encourage other more upscale retailors to give us more serious consideration. It is a very good investment.

The link says it scheduled opening is December 31, 2014. That seems to be a long time to renovate the space and get the store opened? Alot can happen between now and December 2014. Almost 2 years?

That seemed weird to me to. I wonder if that's accurate or if they meant 2013? I would think it would only take six months to renovate a store once they started. If its 2014 than they obviously don't plan to start renovations anytime soon.

Why would you consider retail government incentives to be worse than others? It will provide employment, sales tax, and will help keep a major retail center viable. The comparison to Bass Pro isn't valid. The is not an OKC phenomenon. It happens everywhere. And, if they are anywhere near as successful as Whole Foods has been, it will encourage other more upscale retailors to give us more serious consideration. It is a very good investment.

This! So this!

Why would you consider retail government incentives to be worse than others? It will provide employment, sales tax, and will help keep a major retail center viable. The comparison to Bass Pro isn't valid. The is not an OKC phenomenon. It happens everywhere. And, if they are anywhere near as successful as Whole Foods has been, it will encourage other more upscale retailors to give us more serious consideration. It is a very good investment.
You missed the point and I don't have the energy tonight to explain it.

Read this Ban on Tax Incentives for Retail Development ? Arizona | Institute for Local Self-Reliance (http://www.ilsr.org/rule/banning-public-subsidies-for-big-retailers/2303-2/)

The question is not whether it will or won't bring in retail business, sure it will because everybody loves giveaways. The question is the competitive disadvantage it puts locally owned businesses in. Don't they have every reason to ask why the taxpayers are asked to fund the move of a competitor into the city, but the company who has always called Oklahoma City home pays the full ride? This seems so basic. States are outlawing this kind of bribery (see link).

Another. CEO Makes Case Against Tax Incentives for Companies | Tax Foundation (http://taxfoundation.org/blog/ceo-makes-case-against-tax-incentives-companies)

You missed the point and I don't have the energy tonight to explain it.

I didn't miss the point at all because your point was not valid. Bringing in a business like Von Maur does nothing to curtail retail competition. It only enhances it and gives our city more options. It is a very good investment. There are large companies that could move into OKC in competion to where I work but I would have no concerns about that at all. If you are giving the consumers a desired product at a good price it won't matter.

I'm about 50 years past being a school boy so you can save your smarmy comments on me.

I didn't miss the point at all because your point was not valid. Bringing in a business like Von Maur does nothing to curtail retail competition. It only enhances it and gives our city more options. It is a very good investment. There are large companies that could move into OKC in competion to where I work but I would have no concerns about that at all. If you are giving the consumers a desired product at a good price it won't matter.

It's one thing to disagree, it's another to be so intellectually dishonest to say my point is "not valid." Did you read the links I posted? There is logic in my point of view, you may disagree with it, but you can't honestly say it's not an honest and valid argument.

Another. CEO Makes Case Against Tax Incentives for Companies | Tax Foundation (http://taxfoundation.org/blog/ceo-makes-case-against-tax-incentives-companies)

The fact that one company opposes that being used to assist companies in direct competition isn't suprising. Academy wasn't pleased with the Bass Pro incentives in OKC but they seem to still be in business and doing well. The one near me always has a large crowd in the parking lot.

Read this Ban on Tax Incentives for Retail Development ? Arizona | Institute for Local Self-Reliance (http://www.ilsr.org/rule/banning-public-subsidies-for-big-retailers/2303-2/)

Well this settles everything. If Arizona has a law against something that is the defining standard for the rest of the country. After all, they gave us the wonderful governor Jan Brewer and sheriff Joe Arpaio who exemplify the standards that the rest of the country should live by.

Well this settles everything. If Arizona has a law against something that is the defining standard for the rest of the country. After all, they gave us the wonderful governor Jan Brewer and sheriff Joe Arpaio who exemplify the standards that the rest of the country should live by.
I didn't say it settled everything. It was a link that argued my point. That Jan Brewer and Sheriff Joe are in the same state says nothing, in fact _that's_ the point that's not valid.

I didn't say it settled everything. It was a link that argued my point. That Jan Brewer and Sheriff Joe are in the same state says nothing, in fact _that's_ the point that's not valid.

Obviously you don't understand hyperbole, LOL. And the fact that Jan Brewer and Sheriff Joe are in the same state are, indeed, very telling. Your original point still has no validity.

Newsok.com reporting that the Von Maur store is confirmed, due to to open in Spring 2014

Sorry, it said Fall of 2014

LOL. All these web links are great. Because if it is on the internet it must be true. And all these groups are intellectually honest...or at least their names sound like it.

The link says it scheduled opening is December 31, 2014. That seems to be a long time to renovate the space and get the store opened? Alot can happen between now and December 2014. Almost 2 years?


That seemed weird to me to. I wonder if that's accurate or if they meant 2013? I would think it would only take six months to renovate a store once they started. If its 2014 than they obviously don't plan to start renovations anytime soon.

I was still living in Wichita when the Von Maur was going into Towne East Mall there... And, based on how that store was done, I would say this is about right. I think the store there took 3 years to get done... it was so long that people there kept wondering if it was ever going to actually open. But, I will say that when it finally did open it was pretty apparent what took so long... The difference between that store and pretty much everything else in the mall is so dramatic that when you walk into the store it's almost like you are going through a portal to a different place. lol.

In fact, there was a lot of chatter at the time that it was TOO NICE and wouldn't be sustainable in the market there... but, it seems to be doing okay.

Has anyone been following JC Penny's? If they don't fix the direction their heading their going to be in real trouble. What their doing right now is not working. Sales dropped 32% last quarter.

JC Penney got the message. They tried a pricing strategy that works with Apple: No discounts. It didn't work at JCP and they're back to the markdowns.

JC Penney got the message. They tried a pricing strategy that works with Apple: No discounts. It didn't work at JCP and they're back to the markdowns.

Yeah it's difficult for an established retail chain to move upmarket overnight. Dillard's did but they did slowly and it still cost them sales for several years before they finally started growing again. JC Penney is very established as a middle class department store and they need to do what has always worked for them or its game over.

Took these about 10 days ago. It looks like they are getting ready to put up a temporary wall across the entrances, 3490349134923493