H&M

[bchris02]

Agree. H&M is trendy but it isn't upscale. It makes perfect sense for QSM and will complement the existing tenants well.

[Mike_M]

H&M provides a good balance for QSM and opens enough space to someday open another store in Norman. I know Sooner Fashion Mall is super small, but H&M's prime demographic (rich college kids) is all over that place. If it wants to survive the Outlet, Penn, and Quail, they might look to expand sometime soon.

[bchris02]

H&M provides a good balance for QSM and opens enough space to someday open another store in Norman. I know Sooner Fashion Mall is super small, but H&M's prime demographic (rich college kids) is all over that place. If it wants to survive the Outlet, Penn, and Quail, they might look to expand sometime soon.

I think it would be great to see Sooner Fashion Mall expand. There is no reason the south metro shouldn't have a solid regional mall, something they've been without since Crossroads' demise.

[Patrick]

I actually think H&M probably fits better in QSM than Penn Square. It's a well known national retailer that we don't have in this market, so it would be a great add, but I don't really see it as an upscale retailer.

I was also reading someone say that Von Maur was going to be the most upscale department store in the city, and that it was more upscale than Dillards or Macy's. I've been to Von Maur, and I think it's a nice upscale department store, but I don't really see it as more upscale than Macy's or Dillards. It's different, but it's definitely not on the line of Nieman or Nordstrom.

[Pete]

Von Maur is definitely nicer than Dillards/Macys but not quite as nice as Nordstrom/Bloomingdales.

So, it should be the nicest department store to date in OKC.

[SoonerTW]

Also, ever since Macy's bought Foley's, it seems that there are at least two different levels of Macy's. One being the what I would call the old Macy's with lots of nice clothing items and the other being a Foley's with a Macy's tag on it. The Macy's here in OKC are nothing like the Macy's in places like the Galleria in Dallas. I think the Dillard's at PSM is nicer than Macy's is and Von Maur will be nicer than either of them.

[Mississippi Blues]

I agree. The Macy's in Oklahoma City are nothing like the Macy's in Atlanta, specifically the Macy's at Lenox Square. The only thing about that comparison is the Macy's at Lenox Square is a flagship location.

[Pete]

Most Macys are very middle-of-the-road.

We have tons of them here in California and even in the most upscale malls, they are absolutely nothing like Nordstrom or Bloomies.

[soonerliberal]

H&M not locating at Penn Square could actually be a good indication. They frequently go to malls that are middle of the road. For example they are coming to Northlake and Carolina Place in Charlotte avoiding the high-end malls. I could also see them locating at Sooner Mall or in the Lifestyle Center (assuming it still comes) in Norman.

[soonerguru]

Why does everything have to be "upscale?" It's kind of a joke. Frankly I think it's disappointing H&M won't be going in to Penn Square. It offers cool clothes at great values. To me, it's a cooler version of the Gap. Does anyone think the Gap is "upscale?"

To me the most vibrant retail hubs have a diversity of selection.

I wish we would just blow up one of the malls and start making downtown retail happen.

[bchris02]

H&M not locating at Penn Square could actually be a good indication. They frequently go to malls that are middle of the road. For example they are coming to Northlake and Carolina Place in Charlotte avoiding the high-end malls. I could also see them locating at Sooner Mall or in the Lifestyle Center (assuming it still comes) in Norman.

True, but Penn Square is closer to Northlake and Carolina Place than it is to Southpark in its tenant mix. Southpark is like Northpark in Dallas (Neiman, Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, etc). Nonetheless this is a great sign for the continued viability of Quail Springs Mall. I don't think typical mall shopping is moving downtown any time soon and I am not so sure it should either.

[soonerliberal]

True, but Penn Square is closer to Northlake and Carolina Place than it is to Southpark in its tenant mix. Southpark is like Northpark in Dallas (Neiman, Nordstrom, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, etc). Nonetheless this is a great sign for the continued viability of Quail Springs Mall. I don't think typical mall shopping is moving downtown any time soon and I am not so sure it should either.

I think Penn Square wants to become closer to where NorthPark (Dallas) or Southpark (Charlotte) is than the traditional mid-level mall. You are right in that they are not even close to that, but I think they are aiming to move in that direction.

[bchris02]

I think Penn Square wants to become closer to where NorthPark (Dallas) or Southpark (Charlotte) is than the traditional mid-level mall. You are right in that they are not even close to that, but I think they are aiming to move in that direction.

I agree. I see Penn Square not allowing Gamestop and Payless to renew as a sign they are wanting to move upmarket. That said, I hope the 'Image' store that has recently went into the Lane Bryant spot is not permanent. Mid-level stores are great for Penn Square but they really should move away from bottom-level tenants. As far as having a truly upscale retail district, it would have helped if Belle Isle wouldn't have been built as a Wal-Mart center but rather an upscale lifestyle center to complement Penn Square Mall.

[HangryHippo]

I agree. I see Penn Square not allowing Gamestop and Payless to renew as a sign they are wanting to move upmarket. That said, I hope the 'Image' store that has recently went into the Lane Bryant spot is not permanent. Mid-level stores are great for Penn Square but they really should move away from bottom-level tenants. As far as having a truly upscale retail district, it would have helped if Belle Isle wouldn't have been built as a Wal-Mart center but rather an upscale lifestyle center to complement Penn Square Mall.

They could have put a walkway over the water channel that's there and connected the two.

[Plutonic Panda]

Anything new on this?

[progressiveboy]

Anything new on this?

I am curious too. Any updates? Is this going to happen?

[Pete]

I haven't heard anything new but I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up in the Glimcher Nichols Hills Plaza / Classen Curve development.

[warreng88]

I haven't heard anything new but I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up in the Glimcher Nichols Hills Plaza / Classen Curve development.

Think they would build new on the area north of Whole Foods? I am not sure if there is enough space in Classen Curve, although the entire space across from Tucker's and Red Coyote is open, but I don't think that would be a big enough space for them. NHP has plenty of space but I don't think going in to an older shopping center is their style. Most H&M's are two stories in a mall surrounded by other popular retail establishments.

[bchris02]

The Chisolm Creek Facebook mentioned that H&M is going into Quail Springs Mall.

[Plutonic Panda]

Where was that? I couldn't find it.

[Pete]

I posted that I heard they were going into Quail Springs but never heard more after the "they are looking hard" info.

[bchris02]

Where was that? I couldn't find it.

In response to somebody who suggested H&M be in the development.

[Plutonic Panda]

I saw it. Very good to hear! Hopefully it happens.

Pete, I thought at one time you posted about a specific restaurant that was being built in parking lot of Target along Penn and Memorial.... do you remember anything about it? I honestly can't remember the name, but it was a really cool place.

[Pete]

http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=Corner+Bakery

[Plutonic Panda]

Thanks