Austin area residents know what they’d like see filling the empty building Rainbow Foods once occupied on the city’s northwest side.

Thursday, March 30, 2000

Austin area residents know what they’d like see filling the empty building Rainbow Foods once occupied on the city’s northwest side.

The Austin Daily Herald asked readers last week to send in their thoughts on what type of business would be a good replacement for the former grocery store’s building on 14th Street NW. The most popular ideas submitted by readers included a Wal-Mart, a crafts store and a home supplies store.

Some of the ideas were much more creative. Brenda Martin of Lyle suggested: "What a perfect place to create a youth center. … It’s big enough to have laser tag, a music center, pool tables, rollerskating, an art center – you name it. Let the kids design it."

Martin continues: "The city of Austin could sponsor this youth center, with a youth board of teens to run it and adult supervision to mentor them."

Judy Bjorndal had a similar idea.

"Why not convert the former Rainbow Foods space to an indoor recreation area that includes a skateboard park, playground equipment, ropes course, climbing wall and bike track," she said. "Another option might be a branch of the Science Museum of Minnesota."

Marcella Maxon of Austin said she’d like to see a Menards store or a Super Wal-Mart take over Rainbow’s space.

Dean Pacholl thought a Wal-Mart or Fleet Farm store would be nice. Patricia Jacobsen of Austin seconded the vote for Wal-Mart: "Rochester has two now and Albert Lea has one. Why can’t we have a Wal-Mart?"

Menards also was mentioned by Char Snow of Austin as a possible replacement, adding the Mills Fleet Farm or a full-service Sears or JCPenney store also would be desirable.

Glendora Huston of Austin said her husband would like to see a Fleet Farm store, too, or a Menards, while she thinks Austin needs a fabric store so area residents can buy goods, sewing materials, silk flowers and craft items.

"When I need these items, I have to drive to Albert Lea or Rochester," Huston added.

Margaret Uzlik of Austin agreed that a sewing goods store is needed in the area: "There are a lot of people in Austin who sew and do crafts and quilting.

"We have to go 20 miles one way to get material or crafts and a lot of older people cannot get to those stores."

Some possible replacements suggested by Uzlik included: Hobby Lobby, Northwest Fabrics, JoAnn Fabrics, Michael’s Fabrics or a Red Lobster restaurant.

Hobby Lobby also was mentioned by Les Traff of Austin. He said the nearest such store is in Mason City, Iowa, and LaCrosse, Wis.

"I think one here could draw shoppers from Rochester, Owatonna and Albert Lea," he said.

A few ideas sent in by Patricia Primmer included: Cracker Barrel, an antique mall, Barnes & Noble, CompUSA or Northwest Fabrics.

Christy Sheldon thought another grocery store might make it here. "A lot of people I have talked to said they wish that it (Rainbow) had come to Austin as Cub Foods," Sheldon said. "I think that Cub Foods would make out very well here in Austin."

Duane Patten also suggested a Cub Foods store, saying Austin is large enough to support another food store.

"Austin surely could use a Menards or Home Depot," Patten added.

Maryann Bush was the only person who suggested a Kohl’s department store would fill the space nicely, as would a Menards, Home Depot or Barnes & Noble.

Lastly, a couple of people thought Best Buy should fill the empty retail space vacated by Rainbow earlier this month.

"I talked at school and I have tons of kids’ opinions and they all are in favor of a Best Buy over a Menards or other stores," 12-grader Mark Williams of Austin said.

Lorraine Hagen agreed with Best Buy, adding that there were enough grocery stores in that section of town already.