The Southgate Mall got some shocking news when it learned one of its newest largest tenants, Lucky's Market, was closing.
However, the mall is poised for a rebound as new stores and businesses are moving in.
One new addition is KO Sushi & Ramen near Café Dolce's location in Southgate.
Ko will be run by the same people who ran the sushi ramen operation out of Lucky’s Market.
We were fortunate enough to run across and cross paths with them and their excited about the opportunity to stay in Missoula and their terrific," Southgate Mall General Manager Tim Winger said. "I ate there a few times a week usually, grabbing sushi or ramen. They had a great product and they do a great job so we are really excited and fortunate to have them become a part of the Mall."
Another new addition to Southgate mall is the Giggle Box which is an interactive art venue much like Meow Wolf in New Mexico.
There are 25 different themed rooms in the old Herberger’s have interactive art installations that you can either play around with or take pictures with for your social media account.
"I expected something pretty neat but far beyond what I would have ever expected it to end up being and it’s just really cool," Winger said about one of the more unique features the mall will have to offer. "I just hope that people want to come and check it out cause I think it’s going to be a great thing and like I said it really fits in to what we are doing and we look forward to doing more things like this in the future."
More is on the way, Scheels is coming to Southgate and so is a Cinnabon across from the old Lucky’s Mall entrance. With all these new additions Mall officials are excited for Southgate’s future.
"It’s been a really fun time to be in the business. Ive been in it a long time and right now is about as exciting as ive been in along time about the direction that we are taking this place. With the theatre and all the different things that were doing its just been a lot of fun," Winger said.
One big piece of real estate that still needs to be filled at Southgate is the old Lucky’s market location.Winger said that they have had plenty of offers for the new space but are just looking for the right fit for the location.
