Sioux Falls’ Empire Mall hit hard by store closings

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – The Empire Mall in Sioux Falls is feeling the impact of mass closures and bankruptcies in the retail industry, but the mall’s owner remains upbeat.

Gymboree, Crazy 8 and Charlotte Russe have shut down, adding to the current vacancies at the mall that include two big anchor locations.

The closings in Sioux Falls contrasted a first-quarter earnings call from the Empire Mall’s Indianapolis-based owner-operator, Simon Property Group.

During first-quarter earnings calls, Simon noted the rest of the company was outpacing the industry.

Simon’s mall properties saw their occupancy had jumped from the first quarter of 2018, reaching 95.1%.

The Empire Mall declined to comment for this story.

05-13-2019