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Business Relocation in White Bear Lake: A Community Resilience Story

New Horizons for Local Businesses

WHITE BEAR LAKE — Approximately ten businesses located in the retail building on Clark Avenue along Highway 61 may soon need to find new spaces for their operations if they haven’t already. This impending relocation comes after a real estate sale that took place in September, signaling significant changes for the building’s tenants.

The Shift in Tenancy

The 12,200-square-foot multi-tenant retail mall was sold, raising concerns among existing tenants who had sensed the transition long before the sale occurred. “We kind of knew something was happening,” remarked Amelia Reigstad, founder of The Women Collective, a business that moved into the space in September 2024. “Our leases were not renewed by the previous owners, which definitely set off alarms for us.”

Amber Puschinsky, co-owner of Oldies & Goodies, shared a similar sentiment. "Technically, our lease expired last spring," she noted. "Despite being in the space for 2½ years, we were left waiting and questioning about the renewal. It wasn’t until around September that we figured things out, even finding a listing for our building online."

The Future of the Building

According to this listing, the existing structure will be torn down, paved for a new building that will feature three suites, totaling 12,230 square feet. Royce Pavelka, vice president of The Brookshire Company, is collaborating with the new ownership to develop plans for this upcoming property. “Things remain in development,” he stated, as tenants grapple with uncertainty about the future.

City Insights and Tenant Challenges

City Manager Lindy Crawford confirmed that the city has yet to receive any formal application for redevelopment plans, highlighting even more uncertainty in the air. Paully Lundeen, owner of Black Phoenix Tattoo, expressed frustration about communication with new owners. Despite reaching out, he received a reply only recently indicating he would be given a 30-day notice to vacate. “We were offered a chance to stay, but the space would be nine or ten times larger than we can manage right now," he said, recognizing it wasn’t a viable option unless he significantly expanded his business.

Adjusting to New Realities

Both Reigstad and Puschinsky were presented with the opportunity to stay under the new terms but found them financially unmanageable. “When we learned the new rental figures, it just wasn’t feasible for a small business like ours,” Puschinsky lamented. Ultimately, they concluded that moving was their best course of action.

Building Community During Transition

Three of the business owners from Clark Avenue—The Women Collective, Oldies & Goodies, and Black Phoenix Tattoo—have decided to stick together and move to the White Bear Mall on Third Street, the same location that houses Sassafras Health Foods. Puschinsky mentioned they had been proactively searching for new locations due to the uncertainty surrounding their current building. "We were combing through the downtown area, looking for viable options. Living and working in the community I love is essential for me,” she stated.

Upon discovering vacant spaces in the White Bear Mall, Puschinsky and her partner Emily Blake instantly felt they had found the right spot. “The moment we opened the door, it clicked. This is our space,” she recalled. “We could really do something amazing here.”

Navigating Challenges with AI legalese decoder

As these businesses face the challenges of relocation, navigating legal complexities can be daunting. This is where the AI legalese decoder becomes invaluable. By simplifying lease agreements, renovation contracts, and other legal documents, the AI legalese decoder empowers these business owners to quickly comprehend their rights and obligations. In a transitional phase like this, having clear and understandable legal insights is pivotal for making informed decisions and ensuring a smooth move to a new location.

Embracing Change Together

Despite the many unknowns that come with moving into a new space, these business owners are excited about the prospect of continuing their collaborations in a different setting. "We’ve spent so much time together, whether working on projects or hosting events,” Puschinsky said. “It’s a comfort to know we can continue to support each other.”

Future Plans: Oldies & Goodies anticipates closing in January and hopes to be operational in time for the Galentine’s Day event on February 12. Meanwhile, Reigstad feels bittersweet about leaving but is optimistic about being in a neighborhood that typically attracts more foot traffic.

Community Commitment

“I’m really grateful that we will keep our neighbors so we can continue building what we’ve started,” Reigstad said. "The community has embraced our businesses, and we’ve cultivated spaces that people genuinely want to visit. It’s a relief that we found a new location to carry on our work."

The Women Collective will likely close around Christmas and aim to reopen in their new location by February. Lundeen remains optimistic about the future, emphasizing his deep roots in the community: “I bought my parents’ house here. I want to stay connected to this place, and collaborating with familiar neighbors helps keep a steady flow of customers,” he said.

Ultimately, Lundeen looks forward to enhancing his role in community events, with Black Phoenix planning to initiate their move around mid-January, targeting a February 1 opening in their new space. The resilience of these local businesses serves as a testament to the strength of community bonds, even in the face of significant changes.

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