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A multimillion-dollar renovation is planned for the former Younkers space at Gateway Mall, and it likely means that Dillard’s is getting bigger.
Dillard’s, which purchased the Younkers space in 2020, filed a $9.9 million building permit earlier this month.
According to the permit, work to be done includes new interior finishes, a new fire sprinkler and alarm system, and new rooftop heating and cooling units.
Gateway adding several Lincoln-based tenants to its mix
Gateway adding several Lincoln-based tenants to its mix
Former Sears building in Lincoln set for redevelopment that includes partial demolition
Former Sears building in Lincoln set for redevelopment that includes partial demolition
Dillard’s officials did not respond to requests for comment about the plans, and Chad Becwar, Gateway’s general manager, said he didn’t have any specific details to share at this time.
But a marketing brochure for the mall references the work and indicates it’s for an expansion of Dillard’s.
According to the brochure from commercial real estate firm Newmark, Dillard’s plans to add more than 102,000 square feet of the Younkers space to the roughly 150,000 square feet it has in its existing space.
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The brochure also said that Dillard’s has signed a new 10-year operating covenant, “which demonstrates Dillard’s commitment to Gateway Mall.”
The Younkers building has been mostly empty since the department store went out of business and closed the store in August 2018. Rush Market, a pop-up furniture store based in Omaha, occupied the space for about six months in the summer and fall of 2019.
Dillard’s purchased the building for $1.3 million in August 2020.
Mixed bag for Lincoln commercial real estate in 2nd half of 2021
Mixed bag for Lincoln commercial real estate in 2nd half of 2021
Gateway to add new tenant as Dillard’s buys former Younkers space
Gateway to add new tenant as Dillard’s buys former Younkers space
Lincoln stores that have closed in recent years or are slated to close
Fresh Thyme, October 2020
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market at 52nd and O streets was one of the major new retailers to open in Lincoln in the first half of 2016. It closed in October 2020.
Bed Bath & Beyond, 2020

Bed Bath & Beyond closed its north Lincoln location, shown here on the far right in the Lincoln Crossing shopping center.
Scooter’s, October 2020

Scooter’s Coffee closed two of its three downtown locations in October 2020, including the location at Eighth and P streets and the one in the Gold’s Building at 11th and O streets. The stores did not close because of the pandemic, but because the company is moving all locations to drive-thrus.
Photo Shoppe, May 2020

Photo Shoppe in Piedmont closed in May 2020.
Jos. A. Bank

Jos. A. Bank, shown at far right, closed its Lincoln location at The District at O Street because of its parent company’s bankruptcy filing.
Pier 1, January 2020

Pier 1’s store at SouthPointe Pavilions closed in January 2020.
Matt Olberding
Gordmans

The Gordmans store at Lincoln Crossing closed after its owner, Stage Stores, declared bankruptcy.
Wright’s Jewelers, November 2019

Wright’s Jewelers in the Pioneer Woods shopping center at 70th Street and Pioneers Boulevard closed in November 2019.
Post and Nickel, November 2019

The Post & Nickel at 14th and P streets closed in November 2019 after 52 years.
Forever 21, November 2019

Forever 21 opened a store at Gateway Mall in June 2013 and closed in November 2019.
Charming Charlie

Charming Charlie closed its store at SouthPointe Pavilions.
Matt Olberding
Dressbarn, May 2019

Dressbarn, with a SouthPointe location, closed in May 2019.
Victoria Ayotte Brown
Banana Republic

Banana Republic closed its Lincoln store at SouthPointe Pavilions.
Charlotte Russe

Charlotte Russe closed its Gateway location and all other stores.
Victoria Ayotte Brown
Shopko

Shopko closed its four Lincoln stores, including its location at 27th Street and Nebraska 2.
Rogers Jewelers, 2019

Rogers Jewelers at Gateway Mall closed in 2019.
Sears, March 2019

Sears’ Lincoln location at Gateway Mall closed in March 2019.
Gap, January 2019

The Gap store at SouthPointe Pavilions closed in January 2019.
Beauty Brands, January 2019

Beauty Brands in Centro Plaza at 48th and R streets opened in 2016 (shown in photo) but closed Jan. 19, 2019.
Mattress Firm, October 2018

The Mattress Firm location at 5001 O St. closed in October 2018.
Younkers, August 2018

The 100,000-square-foot Younkers store at Gateway Mall closed in August of 2018.
Matt Olberding
Akin’s Natural Foods, June 2018

The Akin’s Natural Foods store at 6900 O St. in Meridian Park closed in June 2018.
Toys ‘R’ Us, June 2018

The 30,000-square-foot Toys ‘R’ Us store at 5220 N. 27th St. in Lincoln closed in June 2018.
Matt Olberding
Husker Headquarters north location, April 2018

Husker Headquarters in Lincoln Crossing on 27th north of Superior Street closed in April 2018. There is another location downtown, at Gateway Mall and at 5631 S. 56th St. in The Alamo Center.
U.S. Bank

The U.S. Bank branch at 13th and L streets closed in January. It became the fourth branch to close in Lincoln and was one of more than a dozen that closed across Nebraska.
Christopher & Banks

Christopher & Banks, which has two stores in Lincoln, declared bankruptcy in January and said it may close all of its stores.
Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or [email protected]
On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.