SIOUX CITY -- Siouxland's retailer scene is always moving, expanding and, sometimes, changing course entirely.
That third option was the case when clothing retailer Rue21 opened its doors for business at the Southern Hills Mall in September 2024.
This occurred a few months after the longtime mall staple had closed its Sioux City store, as well as many Rue21s across the country.
Indeed, the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2024, liquidating all of its nearly 550 stores.
In August 2024, the commercial real estate publication CoStar News reported that Rue21 had been acquired by the Toronto, Canada-based YM Inc, a holding company that owns several fashion retailers.Â
At that time, YM said it was in the process of reopening at least some of closed Rue21 locations.
Similar to Southern Hills Mall's Rue21, the Rue21 at Sioux Falls' Empire Mall was also reopened a few months after its closure.
The mall also welcomed Chinese retailer Miniso, which opened a store in August 2024.
The Japanese-themed retailer, headquartered in Guangzhou, China, is known for its selection of plush toys and a largely youth and toy-oriented line of merchandise with an emphasis of anime as well as the character Hello Kitty.
Miniso (which stylizes its name as MINISO) has approximately 6,413 stores, more than half of which are in China, according to a quarterly report released in March 2024. Â
One longtime Southern Hills tenant moved to the nearby Lakeport Commons earlier this year. Â
The Buckle, a Kearney, Nebraska-based company specializing in casual men's, women's and children's apparel, held a grand opening for its new 5101 Sergeant Road storefront, located between ALDI and Ross Dress for Less.
The chain, which has more than 440 locations in 42 states, had operated a store inside of the Southern Hills Mall since April 1986.
Co-owners Kelton Shiffer talks about the atmosphere created at The Scoops Udder Place, an ice cream shop and party space that opened in the RE/MAX City Centre, 712 Fourth St., in downtown Sioux City. Ice cream served at Scoop's is made in-house at the shop's Southern Hills Mall location.
