Maurices Moves to Westridge Shopping Center, Strengthens Local Retail

Maurices reopened in a newly renovated location at 2002 Paul Bunyan Drive NW in the Westridge Shopping Center on December 20, 2025, after leaving its longtime spot in the Paul Bunyan Mall. The store moved into the former Marketplace Foods building and now offers women s clothing and accessories in sizes 2 through 24. Bemidji Chamber Ambassadors were on hand to congratulate store staff at the opening.

The relocation is notable for local shoppers and for the commercial landscape. Moving from an enclosed mall into a renovated grocery building in an open shopping center illustrates how retailers are adapting existing real estate to meet current consumer patterns. For residents this means continuity of a familiar regional apparel brand within city limits and potentially easier parking and access typical of strip center configurations.

Economically this shift affects several local dynamics. Retaining a national chain in the market supports employment and sales tax receipts without knowing exact job counts it is reasonable to expect the store will continue to provide retail jobs for local residents. The reuse of a large former grocery footprint also reduces the need for new construction and can accelerate occupancy of an underutilized property, helping nearby businesses by restoring foot traffic and consumer spending in that node of Paul Bunyan Drive.

The move also leaves implications for the Paul Bunyan Mall. Vacancies in enclosed malls can increase pressure on property owners and local officials to find alternative uses for space, such as community services, entertainment venues, or mixed use. City planners and economic development officials may see this as an opportunity to rethink zoning and incentives to encourage adaptive reuse that preserves the tax base and supports workforce needs.

Longer term, the Maurices relocation reflects broader trends in retail real estate where flexibility, visibility, and convenience matter more to shoppers. For Beltrami County residents the short term effect is simple and practical. The store remains available locally in a new, renovated setting, and the commercial move highlights ongoing changes in how the county s retail footprint will evolve in the years ahead.