Planned Rue 21 store grows in size

Rue21 will still be opening a new store at the Miller Hill Mall however the exact plans have changed a little since we last reported back in December about the planned opening at the Miller Hill Mall. At that time the Rue 21 location was to be constructed in the former spaces of a dollar store and Radio Shack. Well, plans change and let us tell you first and formost Duluthians you're going to benefit from it.

Rue 21 will no longer be locating in the spaces mentioned above as Radio Shack will in fact NOT be closing their Duluth location after last minute corporate decisions saved the location at the Miller Hill Mall from the chopping block. That means Rue 21 needed to find a new place to set up shop within the mall but the search didn't take long as Deb Shops recently close their Duluth location after the company went bankrupt leaving a prime space for Rue21 to call home.

Above: Location of the new Rue21 location at the Miller Hill Mall.

The original space Rue21 was to open in was just over 6,000 square feet with about 5,000 of that being devoted to sales space. The new space in which Rue21 will open will be roughly 7,100 square feet and include 6,400 square feet of sales space. If you're keeping track that's a 1,400 square foot increase in selling space equating to roughly the size of a Hot Topic location. So yes, it will in fact make a difference.

Rue21's new locaiton will take over an existing storage space to the left of Deb which for the last few years has been used as mall storage and at one time as a space for a ProActive kiosk. The mall will however receive a portion of space towards the back of the vacated Deb space that will be used most likely for mall storage.

Above: Floor plan for the new Rue21 store location at the Miller Hill Mall.

The Duluth location will still feature girls and guys clothing along with accessories. The store format will be a little easier to navigate though due to the additional square footage and more of the space will be able to be used due to the straight storefront instead of the zig-zag one that would have been present in the former design.

The store interior will be split into mainly two areas with guys on the left side and girls on the right side. Gentlemen we're sorry to inform you that you'll get about a third of the sales space that the ladies will get. But hey, it's the thought that counts right?

Above: Interior graphics for the various fitting room designs

The interior overall design will feature an industrial design vibe. Ceilings will be left exposed with industrial styled pendant lights along with track lighting. Walls will be covered with various wallpaper designs featuring young individuals at concerts, patterned designs, and an abandoned loft. Each fitting room has a themed design including the following; "Club 21", "Skater", "Runway Model", "Rock Star" and "Princess". Walls will feature mostly a dark color scheme with pops of green, yellow, teal, and pink added.

Work will begin on the space in May with an opening likely by the end of summer just in time for back to school shopping. That's right kids, before school has even ended we're already thinking about when you head back. We apologize for reminding you if you're reading but still want to remind your parents that summer only last three months. You. Can. Do it.

Above: Rue21 store front design