Oak Park Mall adds still more shops

Oak Park Mall may have added another three new shops recently, but it isn’t done growing yet.

Two more stores are scheduled to open in the mall: PC Tech Connect and Impact Marshal Arts and Fitness. The additions will be the latest in a long series of changes at the mall, which include it losing its only two restaurants, but gaining a total of 14 retail storefronts in 2012 alone.

“It’s just booming,” said Shan Kehret, the mall’s marketing director.

PC Tech Connect, a computer service and accessories store, will open Dec. 1 at the mall. Owner Robert Dauphinee, an information technology graduate from Nova Scotia Community College in Canada, recently moved to the Austin area and decided to open a store. Though he has never run a business before, he looks forward to doing so and hopes to exceed customer expectations.

“I believe that people deserve a fair price for quality work,” he said.

Dauphinee’s store will offer accessories, repair services, and virus and malware removal. He said he also plans to do computer consignment sales for people who would like to have him sell their used computers.

While the store isn’t open yet, Dauphinee’s website, www.pctechconnect.us, is already online and has a list of his prices and services.

The mall’s other new store, Impact Marshal Arts and Fitness, will open at the beginning of January. Owner Troy Williams will teach marshal arts there.

“He’ll be offering different types of classes,” Kehret said. “He’s really excited to get this place going.”

Williams could not be reached for comment.

 

Parking lot project partway done

The mall’s parking lot fix-up is partially finished, according to Kehret.

In mid-October, the Younkers parking lot got resurfaced with a new black top and had a fresh set of yellow lines painted on, she said.

Also, various potholes all over the parking lot have been dug out and filled with black top, though eventually Oak Park Mall owner Martin Graff, of M H Graff & Associates Inc., hopes to resurface the entire parking lot, she added.

“They’re just kind of doing a section at a time,” Kehret said.

So far, she said customers have had a positive take on the repairs.

“People have come in saying it’s nice to see the potholes have been fixed,” she said.

SportsPlus

Mower County

Preliminary 2024 season report shows higher deer harvest

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Jan. 13-20

Mower County

State committee to host Southern Minnesota Listening Session in Austin

Mower County

In Your Community: Noon Lions give to Austin Area Arts

Mower County

In Your Community: Beltone gives the gift of hearing

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Education

Education Briefs

News

Minnesota high court sides with Democrats in struggle with Republicans over control of state House

News

Minnesota Supreme Court considers whether it should intervene in partisan legislative power struggle

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Two injured in late Wednesday night crash

Mower County

Paramount lights up the sky heading into renovation/expansion project

Mower County

Austin City Council approves cannabis ordinance

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Fire damages garage in NW Austin, Fire Marshal investigating

Mower County

Exhibitor applications now being accepted for 14th annual Austin ArtWorks Festival

Mower County

Institute scientists publish paper in Nature Communications with new insights on adenoviruses

Business

Hy-Vee brings back Market Grille Restaurants with new food offerings

Business

Hormel to hold virtual 2025 annual meeting of stockholders

Education

Education Briefs: Honor Lists

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Law enforcement made more than 2,000 DWI arrests over the holiday season to keep people safe

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Jan. 6-13

News

22 states sue to stop Trump’s order blocking birthright citizenship

Mower County

UPDATE: Law enforcement continues to investigate Runnings burglary, four firearms stolen

Lyle

LAC raises $248,500 at this year’s event, edges closer to $4 million total raised

Education

Area schools close school ahead of frigid temperatures Tuesday