On a Saturday afternoon, the mall hums with strolling shoppers and casual conversation. The smell of Auntie Anne’s drifts from the food court, but just steps away, construction crews are preparing. This fall, the Empire Mall is adding two well-known retailers —Hollister and Carhartt— and expanding one (Lululemon) as part of its latest wave of updates aimed at keeping the Sioux Falls shopping hub a regional destination.
As the convenience of online shopping has shifted customer habits, the Empire Mall is responding by undergoing its most significant refresh in years. Malls nationwide have been declining in popularity as internet-based enterprises, such as Amazon, absorb consumer attention. As a result, the mall’s updates reflect efforts to stay relevant by shifting its target to younger shoppers.
Lululemon:
Lululemon has been a staple of the Empire Mall since 2017, with its quality athletic wear attracting a wide range of consumers. It is now looking to expand its relatively small store of just 3,000 square feet into a new, 8,000 square foot suite. It will occupy the previous Lovisa store in the center court, as Lovisa has moved down the hall. The opening date is set for this fall, and the expansion has been received well in the Sioux Falls community.
Hollister:
Hollister is known for its versatile, casual comfort apparel and its California surf and skate aesthetic. Its addition to the mall will add to the increasing young crowd focus and will undoubtedly attract teenage customers. It will take up the former Forever 21 space, just down the hall from the main food court. The new store also creates a new wave of job opportunities for young adults. New employees are set to start working Oct. 1, and the store will be opening later that month, according to an LHS student and soon-to-be Hollister employee.
Carhartt:
Founded in 1889, Carhartt has been renowned for over a century for its durable, quality workwear. Though it is originally recognized for its heavy-duty outdoor gear, the store has also become an urban streetwear fashion staple in recent decades, attracting the old and young alike and making it a suitable addition to the mall. Carhartt will be replacing the previous Verizon store and is set to open Oct. 16, 2025.
