Anchor store to expand at mall

  • KATHY DAY / Herald Writer
  • Monday, July 10, 2000 9:00pm
  • Local News

By KATHY DAY

Herald Writer

LYNNWOOD – Nordstrom plans to take over the closed Lamonts store at Alderwood Mall and create a larger store with new design concepts, the Seattle-based retailer announced Monday.

The move, scheduled for completion in fall 2003, will involve demolishing the former Lamonts building and building a two-story store that is one-third larger than the existing Nordstrom in the mall, said company spokeswoman Paula Weigand. Demolition and construction work will begin in fall 2001.

The new store will occupy approximately 167,000 square feet, placing it at the upper end of the company’s stores in size, she said. They range from 140,000 to 175,000 square feet.

The expansion will be part of a planned renovation and expansion of the 21-year-old Alderwood Mall, according to Alex Liftis of General Growth Properties, the mall’s Chicago-based owner. He said it is too early to give specifics.

But, he added, the company, which owns or operates 136 malls, is eyeing entertainment opportunities as well as options for another major department store. Several years ago, the mall added a food court, and it now has 150 stores and restaurants.

"Alderwood is in a great area. As Nordstrom has indicated by its move, it has consistent and loyal customers. They see an opportunity to expand and we are looking at the same thing," Liftis said.

Detailed plans for the new Nordstrom have not been completed, although Weigand said the concept will "make it easier to shop."

Recently the company realigned not only its divisions and its buyers but also its store departments. Weigand pointed to remodeling at the Bellevue and downtown Seattle Nordstrom stores, where women’s fashions were consolidated on one floor and divided into two general areas. At those stores, women’s wear is split between classic, which Weigand described as "mainstream … everyday" clothes, and modern, which she called "more contemporary."

"This is our hometown so we have some older, more established stores here and we are looking at what to do with them," Weigand said.

At the same time, the retailer plans to expand into some of the 50 top metropolitan markets where it does not have a presence. Stores set to open during the next few years include downtown Chicago, St. Louis, downtown Cincinnati, Charlotte, N.C., and Boca Raton, Fla.

Krista Haverly, retail portfolio leasing manager for CB Richard Ellis in Seattle, said the Nordstrom expansion will be a good move for the mall, which has faced increasing competition from new stores on its perimeter.

The 1 million-square-foot mall is being challenged by the nearby addition of stores like Barnes &amp Noble and Old Navy, which is so pleased with its success that it is looking to expand, Haverly said. They will soon be joined by Pier 1, a Talbot’s outlet and a 45,000-square-foot Best Buys electronics store, said Haverly, a Lynnwood resident.

"Consumers have gotten so they like to be able to park just outside the store," she said, noting that mall developers are having to look at new ideas such as clustering similar retailers like children’s stores together to make the shopping experience easier.

The Lamont’s chain was recently purchased by Gottshalk’s of California, but the deal didn’t include the Alderwood location.

Haverly said the combination of a "strong trade area" and tight vacancy rates have store owners and developers alike doing what Nordstrom is doing: remerchandising, or looking for new ways to attract customers.

Haverly, who represents a lot of tenants including some entering the market for the first time, said she recommends Lynnwood as the No. 3 area her clients should be in, after Seattle and Bellevue.

You can call Herald Writer Kathy Day at 425-339-3453or send e-mail to

kday@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

LifeWise local co-directors Darcie Hammer and Sarah Sweeny talk about what a typical classroom routine looks like on Monday, April 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett off-campus Bible program draws mixed reaction from parents

The weekly optional program, LifeWise Academy, takes children out of public school during the day for religious lessons.

Protesters line Broadway in Everett for Main Street USA rally

Thousands turn out to protest President Trump on Saturday in Everett, joining hundreds of other towns and cities.

An EcoRemedy employee checks a control panel of their equipment at the Edmonds Wastewater Treatment Plant on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds launches technology to destroy PFAS

Edmonds is the first city in the country to implement… Continue reading

Over a dozen parents and some Snohomish School District students gather outside of the district office to protest and discuss safety concerns after an incident with a student at Machias Elementary School on Friday, April 18, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Parents protest handling of alleged weapon incident at Machias Elementary

Families say district failed to communicate clearly; some have kept kids home for weeks.

Irene Pfister, left, holds a sign reading “Justice for Jonathan” next to another protester with a sign that says “Major Crimes Needs to Investigate,” during a call to action Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Arlington. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Arlington community rallies, a family waits for news on missing man

Family and neighbors say more can be done in the search for Jonathan Hoang. The sheriff’s office says all leads are being pursued.

Mary Ann Karber, 101, spins the wheel during Wheel of Forunte at Washington Oakes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lunch and Wheel of Fortune with some Everett swinging seniors

She’s 101 and he’s 76. At Washington Oakes, fun and friendship are on the menu.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s FIRST Robotics Competition championship robotics Team 2910 Jack in the Bot on Thursday, April 24, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek robotics team celebrates world championship win

The team — known as “Jack in the Bot” — came in first place above about 600 others at a Texas world championship event last week.

The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
Parental rights overhaul gains final approval in WA Legislature

The bill was among the most controversial of this year’s session.

Snohomish firefighters appeal vaccine suspensions to Ninth Circuit

Despite lower court’s decision, eight men maintain their department did not properly accommodate their religious beliefs during COVID.

A rental sign seen in Everett. Saturday, May 23, 2020 (Sue Misao / Herald file)
Compromise reached on Washington bill to cap rent increases

Under a version released Thursday, rent hikes would be limited to 7% plus inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower.

A Mitsubishi Electric heat pump is installed on the wall of a home on Sep. 7, 2023, near Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Kicking Gas urges households to get in line for subsidies while funds last

The climate justice group has enough funding to aid 80 households with making the transition to heat pumps and electric ranges

Everett Fire Department’s color guard Jozef Mendoza, left, and Grady Persons, right, parade the colors at the end of the ceremony on Worker’s Memorial Day on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County officials honor Worker’s Memorial Day

Work-related injuries kill thousands of people nationwide every year.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.