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• "That maybe has changed a lot because there are just so many more options for people to go to," Fisk said. "But the emergence of younger shoppers has changed the dynamics of the mall. Sixteen, 18, 20, it seems like they have a lot more money to spend."
• Wet Seal is one new retailer opening soon for a younger demographic.
• Fisk also praised the relocation of Applebee's and Xcite for bringing in more families and keeping people on the property longer. She has a lot of good things to say about new owner Simon, too.
• "I think they see the mall has to move forward and have new, exciting stores that are unique," Fisk said. "This cannot be the same mall we knew years ago."
• The Empire is a 100-acre campus with additional restaurants and retailers on the property. The Empire East across Louise Avenue from the main campus likely will have a new tenant in the space vacated by Applebee's and Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts, which is moving out later this year.
• "We've talked to several people and had interest, but we were kind of waiting on the right one and I believe we've found that one," Gilliam said.
• The mall also has land available for a building near Toys R Us and Texas Roadhouse. There hasn't been much interest in the past, but some has sparked lately.
• "If the economy does turn upward, I think we'll have a lot of interest," Gilliam said. "Traffic patterns make a lot of difference, and it's become very evident traffic is going to increase on 49th Street."
• There's also a changing plan for redeveloping the former TGI Friday's site. Hegg Cos. Inc., which owns the nearby hotels, no longer is looking to build a conference center there.
• "At that time, the retail market was so bad," said Paul Hegg, president and CEO. "Now, it seems to be getting stronger, and there seems to be more activity in the marketplace."
• Hegg would like to sign a full-service restaurant for the one-acre site, but he'd also look at several smaller fast-casual restaurants.
• While Simon's Morris hasn't visited The Empire Mall, he said corporate representatives were in the region recently and had good things to say about properties the company had acquired.
• "They said, 'These are really good properties.'"
• Simon's reputation in the industry likely will cause more growth for the Sioux Falls property, he said.
• "They (retailers) know we pour money back into our properties," Morris said. "We keep them fresh. We reinvigorate them when that's needed. We've got the capital to

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