Blackbird plans to demolish the Kaleidoscope in February. Where will the remaining stores end up?

Kim Norvell | The Des Moines Register

Des Moines' Kaleidoscope at the Hub will be nearly empty by the end of the year.

The few remaining tenants are preparing to close up shop as local development group Blackbird Investments readies to demolish the building in February. Some have plans to relocate, while others, such as the owners of Sally's Old Fashioned Hamburgers, have decided to retire their businesses.

"It's been a great location," said Keith Sparks, who has owned the burger joint with his wife, Judy, for nearly 21 years. "We would have stayed if they hadn't torn the building down."

Blackbird will build a $100 million, 33-story apartment high-rise called 515 Tower in its place.

Until recently, there were more than a dozen restaurant and retail businesses operating in the eastern side of the mall at 555 Walnut St. The third floor is home to a popular downtown food court, but many storefronts have closed since Blackbird purchased the property this spring.

City leaders have described the mall as "tired" and "functionally obsolete." Built in 1985, the Kaleidoscope is valued at only $100; the land is valued at $650,000.

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Blackbird purchased the mall as part of a land swap with EMC Insurance Companies. EMC received the former Younkers site — where Blackbird had initially planned to build its tower — and Blackbird got the Kaleidoscope. The Des Moines-based insurance company has not announced what it plans to do with the land at Seventh and Walnut streets, which sits directly north of its existing 19-story headquarters.

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Blackbird plans to build a 340,000-square-foot tower with 336 apartments. A public cafe is planned for the first floor, and the skywalk system will be put back; otherwise, the building will accessible by tenants only.

It will take about three months to fully demolish the Kaleidoscope at the Hub. Construction on the tower is expected in July.

The Des Moines Register surveyed the remaining tenants this week to find out their closing dates and their new locations (if they're relocating). Only U.S. Bank was not ready to announce its plans.

Who is relocating?

Panda Chinese Food, one of the first businesses to open in the Kaleidoscope food court, will re-open in Capital Square at 400 Locust St., Suite 235, in the former Amigos Mexican Restaurant (southwest side on the skywalk level). Owners Jongin and Pyongtu Chang plan to close the food court storefront and open in the new location by the end of November.

The Changs have owned the business for eight years, but Panda Chinese Food has been at its location since the food court opened. Pyongtu Chang said he has not decided whether he will expand the menu in the new location or keep it as-is.

The original owners of Panda Chinese Food, Michael and Anastasia Walsh, now own The Marketplace, a convenience store on the skywalk level. The bodega will re-open in Capital Square on the north side of the skywalk in the former offices of Two Rivers Hospitality Group. The Marketplace should be open in its new location by December.

JJ Jasmine Thai Cuisine's last day in the food court is Dec. 12. The owners plan to re-open in a new downtown location by the end of the year. A lease is in the works, but not yet signed, said owner Latsamy Luangdetmalay.

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Pho's Vietnamese Cuisine's last day in the food court is Dec. 14. The owners plan to re-open downtown, but have not found a new location.

Nisa's Pieces, a women's clothing boutique, has a lease through Dec. 31. Owner Nisa Rittman is looking at a skywalk-level store on the western half of the Kaleidoscope ( still owned by EMC) but has not yet signed a lease. Her current shop is on the skywalk bridge that spans over Sixth Street.

Michaelangelo's Pizza and Pasta relocated in October to the Local Bites food court in the lower level of the Des Moines Partnership Building at 700 Locust St.

The Stadium Store, a sports clothing shop, closed in July. The business has since re-opened at 1960 Grand Ave., Suite 13 in West Des Moines next to HyVee.

Who is closing?

Sally's Old Fashioned Hamburgers, which has been in the food court for nearly 21 years, will close Nov. 28. Owners Keith and Judy Sparks decided to retire en lieu of the expense to relocate. Keith Sparks said they weren't planning to retire, but they are both in their mid-70s and decided it was time.

"It will be quite the change," he said.

Subway's last day is Dec. 14.

AJ’s Popcorn, a popcorn and ice cream shop on the skywalk level, closed Oct. 26. Owner Suk Hatfield, who opened the shop on Aug. 1, 2000, said she does not have plans to relocate. She and her husband will continue operating Sook's Korean Barbeque tent, which they have at the annual World Food & Music Festival and other festivals around central Iowa.

Spice Rack Indian, which just opened last year, has closed.

Both Gringo's Mexican and Taste Spuds storefronts, each owned by the same couple, closed permanently Aug. 24.

King's Pretzels has closed.

What's left?

The western half of the Kaleidoscope, which includes the HUB Tower at 699 Walnut St., is still owned by EMC. The first floor has a Burger King, a dental office and a Nationwide insurance office. The skywalk level has a Palmer's Deli, a chiropractic office and a Bruegger's Bagels.

EMC has no immediate plans to change arrangements on that side of the mall.