City Center Plaza (Appleton, Wisconsin): Difference between revisions
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The Avenue Mall officially opened on March 12, 1987. 16 of the mall's 65 spaces were occupied on opening day, with an additional four businesses then preparing to open in the following months. The mall opened with an advertising campaign marked by the tagline "Bringing back the magic", a reference to Appleton being the birthplace of {{w|Harry Houdini}}.<ref name=opening-mar1987>Horst, David. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93331978/ "Magic on the Avenue: Unique partners pledge new day for downtown"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], March 8, 1987, pages A-10 and [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93332293/ A-11].</ref>
Prange's ultimately closed on November 6, 1989.<ref>Horst, David. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61239200/ "Last day: Sadness marks Prange's closing"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], November 6, 1989, page B-1.</ref> Marshall Field's was acquired by the [[Dayton Hudson Corporation]] in 1990, and the downtown Appleton location was closed on May 17, 1991,<ref name=sale-may91>Horst, David. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94364799/ "Johnson seeks Kasten's help in Avenue Mall sale"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], May 16, 1991, page B-3.</ref> as the company prepared to open a [[Dayton's]] store at Fox River Mall. This move left downtown Appleton with no department stores, having had four before the opening of the Fox River Mall less than seven years prior.<ref name=marshallfield91>Boardman, Arlen, David Horst, and Pat Stenson. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93783862/ "Marshall Field's to close in May; Avenue managers surprised"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], March 18, 1991, front page and [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93783830/ page A-2].</ref>
[[Herberger's]] opened a department store in the former Marshall Field's space in July 1993.<ref>Horst, David. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92784948/ "Herberger's officially opens"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], July 28, 1993, front page.</ref> In 1996, Herberger's was acquired by [[Proffitt's]]. Since Proffitt's had also recently acquired [[Younkers]], which itself had bought out Prange's shortly after it left The Avenue in 1992, it decided to convert the Appleton Herberger's into a Younkers in July 1997. Although another Younkers store already existed at Fox River Mall, Proffitt's promised that it would keep the downtown store open.<ref>Boardman, Arlen. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92785337/ "Herberger's will undergo name change to Younkers"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], April 23, 1997, page 6.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92785527/ "Handle with care"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], July 8, 1997, page B-1.</ref> However, the store ultimately closed on February 2, 2002, with the expiration of its first lease option. As the store shut down, it was announced that the mall would seek to replace it with office space, making it the last downtown department store Appleton would see for the foreseeable future.<ref>Scott, Stefanie. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92785755/ "Younkers' last day is Saturday"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], February 1, 2002, page D-8.</ref>
===City Center Plaza===
City alderman Marsha Brewer suggested that the city should acquire The Avenue as early as June 1990. Shortly after the announcement in March 1991 that Marshall Field's would close its store, the mall's owner The Avenue Company defaulted on its mortgage, and the mall property was put up for auction. Brewer again suggested that the city should purchase the property and move [[Appleton City Hall]] into the former Prange's space,<ref>Horst, David. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94364554/ "Let's make a deal: City urged to bid for mall"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], March 21, 1991, page A-2.</ref> but the city did not act on this proposal and the mall was acquired by its mortgage lender, [[Superior Bank FSB]].<ref name=sale-may91/> In the meantime, the second floor of the Prange's building was converted into the Fox Cities Children's Museum, which opened on November 2, 1992.<ref name=childrens-oct92/>
As the city continued to consider options for City Hall, which was running out of space in its existing location one block north of the mall, moving into the upper floors of the Prange's space became one of the most appealing choices by the end of 1992.<ref>Meyer, James. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94367625/ "Appleton given option for City Hall"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], December 17, 1992, front page and [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94367786/ page A-9].</ref> While the move was originally considered potentially cost-saving, compared to the expense of constructing an entirely new City Hall building, further analysis by a city committee concluded that the cost of converting the Prange's space would not be significantly less.<ref>Meyer, James. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94367983/ "Cost options a wash on new city hall"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], January 30, 1993, front page and [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94368123/ page A-5].</ref> While controversial, the Prange's move was ultimately approved by the Common Council on July 21, 1993.<ref>Meyer, James. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94368487/ "City hall OK ends gridlock"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], July 22, 1993, front page and [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94368632/ page A-12].</ref>
In advance of the move, the former Prange's building was officially renamed Appleton City Center. As part of the proposal, the Appleton Redevelopment Authority agreed to sell the City Center property to a condominium co-owned by the city of Appleton and the [[Aid Association of Lutherans]], with the proceeds being used to acquire and tear down the nearby [[115 West Washington Street (Appleton, Wisconsin)|Washington Building]]. City offices were scheduled to begin moving from the former City Hall into the building on August 19, 1994, but the Appleton Common Council voted for a last-minute renegotiation of that deal on August 17.<ref>Louis, Brian. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94361829/ "11th-hour snag for City Hall: New deal sought for Washington Building"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], August 18, 1994, front page.</ref> This sudden decision threatened the city's ability to move into the complex as planned, but the Common Council agreed on August 19 to allow the move to go forward, and the new facility opened to the public on August 23.<ref>Horst, David. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94369660/ "City Hall can't fight city hall"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], August 20, 1994, front page and [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94370118/ page B-1].</ref>
The Avenue Mall was officially renamed City Center Plaza on August 8, 2002, reflecting the fact that the complex was now primarily office space. This change coincided with the announcement that the former Younkers anchor space would be converted into an office building named City Center East.<ref>Wallenfang, Maureen. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94362468/ "Avenue Mall given new name, look"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], August 8, 2002, front page and [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94363490/ page A-8].</ref>
==Tenants==
====West anchor====
*[[Prange's]], converted from Pettibone-Peabody Co. January 24, 1946, closed November 6, 1989
*Fox Cities Children's Museum and Building for Kids, opened November 2, 1992<ref name=childrens-oct92>Penikis, Maija. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94357653/ "Museum truly a treasure"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], October 31, 1992, Leisure section, page 2.</ref>
*Appleton City Hall, opened August 23, 1994
====East anchor====
*[[Marshall Field's]], converted from Gimbels October 8, 1986, closed May 17, 1991
*[[Herberger's]], opened July 1993, converted July 1997
*[[Younkers]], opened July 1997, closed February 2, 2002
*City Center East office complex
**[[M&I Bank]], opened 2002<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94358166/ "Avenue: Long-awaited downtown Appleton renaissance has begun"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], August 21, 2002, page 17.</ref>
**[[ThedaCare]], opened 2003
**[[TDS MetroCom]], opened 2003<ref>Matzek, MaryBeth. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94358654/ "Younkers site gets a new lease on life"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], July 10, 2003, page D-8.</ref>
**Insurance Services, Inc. (subsidiary of [[Hilb Rogal & Hobbs]], acquired by [[Willis Towers Watson]] in 2008), opened 2005<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94358862/ Advertisement], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], April 27, 2005, page A-3.</ref>
**[[Thrivent Financial for Lutherans]], opened January 3, 2006<ref>Matzek, MaryBeth. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94358978/ "Thrivent once again welcomed downtown"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], December 21, 2005, page C-1.</ref>
**[[Hoffman Corporation]], opened 2007<ref>Bach, Pete. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94359390/ "Firms to swap offices in Valley"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], February 1, 2007, front page.</ref>
**Outagamie County Board
====Atkins Building====
*[[Burger King]]
====First floor====
*Bee Frank, opened March 8, 1987, closed June 1996<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93788119/ "Bee Frank's owner ready to sell stores"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], March 19, 1996, page D-1.</ref>
*Fanny Farmer, opened March 8, 1987, closed June 1991<ref name=unsold-jun1991/>
*Original Cookie Company, opened March 8, 1987, closed June 1991<ref name=unsold-jun1991/>
*Master Cuts, opened March 8, 1987, closed 1990 (moved to Fox River Mall)
*Osterman Jewelers, opened March 8, 1987, closed July 1990<ref name=closings-sep90/>
*
*[[Valley Bank]], opened March 8, 1987<ref name=opening-mar1987/>
*Grand American Cafe, opened February 2, 1988,<ref name=cafe-feb1988>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93335054/ "Restaurant opens in mall"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], February 4, 1988, page B-4.</ref> closed
*Earth Resources, opened July 1987, closed October 1996<ref>Horst, David. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93790711/ "Earth Resources leaving The Avenue for new mall"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], April 16, 1996, page D-1.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93790913/ Advertisement], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], October 11, 1996, page A-5.</ref>
*Classic Home Interiors, opened September 14, 1990,<ref name=closings-sep90/> closed by March 1991<ref name=marshallfield91/>
▲*Bowlby's Candy, opened 1991<ref name=openings-nov1991>Horst, David. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93333855/ "Signs of life in Avenue: Mall greets new stores"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], November 5, 1991, front page and [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93333949/ page A-2].</ref>
*Bowlby's Candy, opened 1991,<ref name=openings-nov1991>Horst, David. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93333855/ "Signs of life in Avenue: Mall greets new stores"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], November 5, 1991, front page and [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93333949/ page A-2].</ref> closed April 15, 2006<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93803836/ "Closed"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], April 21, 2006, page D-7.</ref>
*Michel's Bakery and Cafe, opened February 1994,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94352363/ "Retail Watch"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], January 18, 1994, page D-2.</ref> closed April 2001<ref name=closings-may01>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94352455/ "Comings and Goings"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], May 27, 2001, page I-1.</ref>
*All Wisconsin and Gifts, opened October 1994<ref name=retailwatch-sep94>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93813651/ "Retail Watch"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], September 13, 1994, page D-2.</ref>
*Un-Tied, opened 1997<ref name=openings-jun97>Horst, David. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94351132/ "2 stores open in Avenue"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], June 4, 1997, page A-11.</ref><ref name=ad-jun97>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94351322/ Advertisement], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], June 19, 1997, Encore section, page 6.</ref>
*Blues Image Custom Clothier, moved from second floor 1997,<ref name=closings-jun1998/> closed 1998<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94352158/ "Bankruptcies"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], September 20, 1998, page H-2.</ref>
*Voecks Diamonds & Collectibles, opened September 8, 1997,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94353155/ Advertisement], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], August 28, 1997, Encore section, page 11.</ref> closed December 2001<ref name=voecks-oct01>Bach, Pete. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94353284/ "Gemstone store will move out of Avenue Mall"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], October 18, 2001, page D-6.</ref>
*Downtown Deli, opened October 2001<ref name=voecks-oct01/>
====Second floor====
*Regis Hairstylists, opened March 8, 1987
*The Mole Hole, opened March 8, 1987, closed May 2001<ref>Scott, Stefanie. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93806034/ "Mole Hole closing shop in College Avenue mall"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], April 10, 2001, page D-12.</ref><ref name=closings-may01/>
*The Learning Shop, opened March 8, 1987, closed June 1991<ref name=unsold-jun1991>Horst, David. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93333647/ "Mayor dismayed that mall remains unsold"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], June 27, 1991, page B-1.</ref>
*[[The Limited]], opened March 8, 1987, closed by March 1991<ref name=marshallfield91/>
*Just Petites, opened March 8, 1987, closed November 12, 1989,<ref name=closings-dec89>Castonia, Don, and Arlen Boardman. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93810089/ "Stephenson's, Stewart's close"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], December 6, 1989, page B-4.</ref> reopened by court order December 1989,<ref name=closings-sep90/> permanently closed by March 1991<ref name=marshallfield91/>
*[[Casual Corner]], opened March 8, 1987,<ref name=opening-mar1987/> closed January 1997<ref name=openings-jan97>Horst, David. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93811077/ "Casual Corner closing at Avenue Mall"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], January 16, 1997, page B-11.</ref>
*Traditions, opened April 17, 1987,<ref name=stores-apr1987>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93333089/ "Sales at new mall said to be off to good start"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], April 7, 1987, page B-2.</ref> closed February 1989<ref name=prange-jul89/>
*[[Gantos]], opened June 12, 1987,<ref name=openings-jun1987/> closed July 1991<ref name=unsold-jun1991/>
*[[Benetton]], opened August 1, 1987,<ref name=openings-jun1987/> closed by April 1991<ref name=sale-apr1991/>
*The Daily Grind, opened September 1987<ref name=openings-jun1987>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93334059/ "New businesses announced for The Avenue mall"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], June 11, 1987, page B-3.</ref>, renamed Shirley's in September 1994<ref name=retailwatch-sep94/>
*[[County Seat]], opened November 9, 1987,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93334256/ "County Seat to open store in The Avenue"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], October 2, 1987, page B-4.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93334279/ "The County Seat will have its grand opening Monday"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], November 8, 1987, page D-5.</ref> closed by April 1991<ref name=sale-apr1991>Horst, David. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93334524/ "Judge opens door for sale of Avenue"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], April 27, 1991, pages A-3 and [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93334511/ A-7].</ref>
*Higbee's, opened March 1989,<ref name=prange-jul89>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61238938/ "Prange's closing looms"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], July 27, 1989, front page and [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61239054/ page A-7]</ref> closed July 1991<ref name=unsold-jun1991/>
*Weidert Advertising, opened 1991,<ref name=openings-nov1991/> closed 1994 (moved to [[215 South Memorial Drive (Appleton, Wisconsin)|215 South Memorial Drive]])<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94354499/ "What's News"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], April 3, 1994, page E-4.</ref>
*The Perfect Gift, closed June 1998<ref name=closings-jun1998>Castonia, Don. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93805306/ "Mall loses 3rd retailer this year"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], June 3, 1998, page A-11.</ref>
*The Cigar Vault, opened December 1996,<ref name=openings-jan97/><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93836538/ "Table talk: Cigar party"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], January 16, 1997, Encore Dining section, page 16.</ref> closed December 1998<ref>Mulholland, Megan. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93836809/ "Downtown cigar shop buys out Vault"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], December 18, 1998, page B-5.</ref>
*Abracadabra Magic Shop, opened October 12, 1996,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93838547/ Advertisement], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], October 10, 1996, page A-2.</ref> closed September 1999<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93838030/ "Abracadabra Magic Shop moves back to W. College"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], September 14, 1999, page C-2.</ref>
*Fox Valley Photography<ref name=closings-jun1998/>
*Creamery Gift & Craft, opened November 1, 1996,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93842799/ "What's News"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], September 29, 1996, page G-3.</ref> closed 1998<ref name=closings-jun1998/>
*Pickles & Ice Cream Maternity, opened January 16, 1997,<ref name=openings-jan97/> closed 1998<ref name=closings-jun1998/>
*Blues Image Custom Clothier, opened 1997,<ref name=openings-jun97/> moved to first floor 1997<ref name=closings-jun1998/>
*Kid's Alley, opened January 8, 2001<ref>Laridaen, Cheryl. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94355933/ "Family Fun: Kid's Alley to showcase new venues in Avenue Mall"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], January 4, 2001, Encore section, page 8.</ref>
*Career Connections, opened July 2001<ref>Scott, Stefanie. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94355063/ "Fox Cities student career service relocates offices to Avenue Mall"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], June 14, 2001, page D-6.</ref>
*Appleton Area School District
====Third floor/food court====
*[[Sbarro]], opened March 8, 1987, closed June 1991<ref name=unsold-jun1991/>
*Mike's Subs, opened March 8, 1987, closed September 20, 1990
*Blommer's Ice Cream, opened March 8, 1987<ref name=opening-mar1987/> closed September 20, 1990<ref name=closings-sep90>Horst, David. [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93807990/ "Exit: The Avenue says stores broke leases"], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], September 22, 1990, page A-3.</ref>
*Fast Wok, opened April 10, 1987,<ref name=stores-apr1987/> closed June 1991<ref name=unsold-jun1991/>
*Hot Doggit, opened June 1987, closed September 21, 1990<ref name=closings-sep90/>
====Unknown====
*Avenue Art, opened
*The Earring Tree, opened 1987, closed 1990
*[[Montinaro]], opened 1988,<ref name=cafe-feb1988/> closed by
*[[Sunglass Hut]], opened 1988,<ref name=cafe-feb1988/> closed by November 1991<ref name=openings-nov1991/>
*Wilson's Suede and Leather, closed by March 1991<ref name=
*Avon, opened 1991<ref name=openings-nov1991/>
*M.E. Lou, opened 1996<ref name=openings-jan97/>
*Aronson's Bookshop
*The Chili Pepper
*The GroundsKeeper
*Accessory Magic
*Kids Avenue
*Ovejo Leathers
*BC Computers & Consulting
*Fashion-Aire Salon & Tanning
*A Different Drummer<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94351896/ Advertisement], [[Appleton Post-Crescent]], December 20, 1995, page B-3.</ref>
*J. Hawkinson Clothiers
*The Rug Company
*PMW Tailoring
*Looy's Pizza
*Murray Photo and Video
*Joseph's Shoes
*Faces Eyewear
*Hungri's Avenue Deli
*Complete Nails
*Kris n' Nikki's Frozen Kustarn & Food
*Squire Hairstylists
*Carlson Wagonlit Travel
*Jim Laabs Music
*Avenue Luggage, Cards & Gifts, closed February 2001<ref name=closings-may01/>
*D' Moraux Salon
*Fashion Beauty<ref name=ad-jun97/>
*Avenue Playhouse
*Emilie's
==References==
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