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Dan Burns, owner of Diamond Showcase at Three Rivers Mall in Kelso, is moving the business to Longview. Greg Ebersole / The Daily News

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Diamond Showcase on the move

Tuesday, November 18, 2008 11:41 PM PST

By Erik Olson

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Diamond Showcase, an original tenant of the Three Rivers Mall, is moving back to Longview.

“It was good for us for a long time,” owner Dan Burns said of his 21-year stint at the mall.

The jewelry store recently bought the former Columbia Bank building at 2207 30th Ave., next to Fred Meyer for $870,000, according to county property records.

Diamond Showcase is staying at the mall for the holiday shopping season and hopes to move into its new digs by Feb. 1 after renovations and an expansion of the bank building space are complete, Burns said.

Foot traffic at the mall has slowed over the past few years, but that’s not the reason for the move, Burns said. Diamond Showcase has been seeking to buy a new home for the last three or four years, Burns said. At nearly three times the mall space, the Columbia Bank building was a good fit because of its size and location, he said.

“We think it will be better to control our own destiny,” Burns said.

Diamond Showcase is the mall’s last independently owned retailer. The business was started by Burns’ father, the late Norm Burns, in 1977 at the corner of Commerce and Broadway in Longview. Dan Burns bought the business in 1984, then relocated to Kelso at a time when indoor malls were at their most popular.

“We’ve been one of the only local tenants that’s been here the whole time,” Burns said.

The loss of Diamond Showcase is another blow to the Three Rivers Mall, following last week’s news that its parent company, Chicago-based General Growth Properties, is considering bankruptcy and a restructuring of the company.

The space to be vacated by Diamond Showcase would be good for another jewelry store, but Three Rivers has not found a replacement, mall manager Kelly Gardner said.

“It’s sad to see them go. They’ve been here for a long time,” Gardner said.

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Kelso Resident wrote on Nov 19, 2008 5:46 AM:

" Well, when EB Closes there and god forbid Fibre closes their branch there I'll have no reason to go to the mall at all. "

LongviewFam wrote on Nov 19, 2008 8:20 AM:

" Bulldoze the mall and put in strip malls with stores and restaurants that people really want. An indoor, A/C and heated building has too much maintenance and is claustrophobic. Look what its done for the Triangle Mall to go for a more modern outdoor mall. "

Mrs. Pellwerds wrote on Nov 19, 2008 8:24 AM:

" Malls are so 1980's. Look at the revitalization of the Triangle Mall area once they tore down that old albatross. That place is always busy now. 3 Rivers Mall should have considered the same makeover years ago. Probably to late now. The only thing left is to wither and die. "

Longview 88 wrote on Nov 19, 2008 9:59 AM:

" This probably will not be the last closure in the mall. I have been hearing a few rumors that at least one of the remaining three anchor stores has not renewed their lease and is on a month-to-month basis. I have also heard that Fibre Federal is considering replacing the mall branch with a new standalone branch. It is absolutely pathetic the way this mall has been run since GGP took over. Yet they somehow came up with the cash to do a major remodel to Clackamas Town Center.

I do know that there are going to be major cutbacks in retail (not just in this mall) in our area in the coming year. Some places will be closing up, while others will simply be cutting hours. This will effect local as well as national retailers. The fact is that our economy can not support certain types of retail, and unless these businesses can adapt to our bad economy they won't be sticking around. "

allaboutschools wrote on Nov 19, 2008 10:02 AM:

" "Wither and die?" I have to laugh. That place will be cutting the Triangle stuff in half or more when someone with money updates. That is a prime retail location. The Triangle will still serve the locals but you can't compete with I-5 visibility. "

francis wrote on Nov 19, 2008 10:44 AM:

" RE: allaboutschools You are correct that it is a great location right off the freeway. When I drive by though, I would rather drive the extra 30-50 miles and go to Vancouver or Portland. There needs to be something worth stopping for. The highlander was also right off the freeway...and we see how well that worked out. "

Anderson82 wrote on Nov 19, 2008 10:55 AM:

" I find it sad that people do not use the Three Rivers Mall More. IT is the only mall around, which is an actual inside mall, and it has stores people shop. Maybe no everyone can afford the high end stuff. JC Penny's, Macy's, Sears, EB Games, Just Sports, and a nice book store alone with many foot/nail spa services makes up a good range of stuff. WHat do people want? It is located in Kelso people. INstead of bashing the mall, lets try to keep it open and using it during the winter Holiday months. It's easy to say "get rid of it", but when you think about it, during busy Holiday times or last minute gift ideas throughout the year, do you, or anyone in your family ever resort to it? I am sure they do. Keep the mall open. LEt's get some more foot traffic in their. OR wait, do you all want another "strip mall" with the same 6 stores to go in there. PetCo, Bed Bath and Beyond, A Tanning Salon, EB Games, and Mattress world? Come on. We have enough of those. "

Anderson82 wrote on Nov 19, 2008 10:56 AM:

" Again, I cant help myself. Another "Strip mall". What is this world coming too........??? "

Silly Billy wrote on Nov 19, 2008 11:12 AM:

" Should put in a bowling alley right then on I-5. That would be prime area for one... "

Sparkler wrote on Nov 19, 2008 1:02 PM:

" I mean like, that mall is SO last thursday. Like OMG, it's like going to an outhouse when you can use the AM/PM bathroom! Gag me with an indoor mall! Its like everytime I go in there I get the technicolor yawns! "

somedude wrote on Nov 19, 2008 1:11 PM:

" ummmmmm ya, for some reason I don't see anyone traveling I-5 to say hey! Lets stop our journey and go Bowling....lol the sad thing about this store leaving is that is less tax dollars generated for Kelso, but I know Longview is looking forward to the money and won't mind the move at all "

JaneDoe wrote on Nov 19, 2008 2:18 PM:

" Anderson82, "What do people want"? People want stores that will keep them from going to Vanc./Portland. I only go to the mall for the big anchor stores, if they go away, I will never step foot in the mall. That mall has always left a little to be desired as far as I am concerned. I suppose those who use the mall to walk would be sad to see it go? "

JaneDoe wrote on Nov 19, 2008 2:20 PM:

" It would be nice if the consumers of Longview and Kelso were asked what stores they would like to see put in the mall. How about a suggestion box at the mall??? "

Mr. Bastinado wrote on Nov 19, 2008 2:34 PM:

" No problemo. Just more room for another used car dealer to move in... "

El Fuego wrote on Nov 19, 2008 3:26 PM:

" Your making me dizzy. One posting you people cry for more business to support this area. The next posting you make it clear that you don't want to save what we have. Which is it? "

bucko wrote on Nov 19, 2008 3:46 PM:

" I worked for JP Realty who sold to the current owners. Diamond Showcase moving is the equivalent to an anchor shutting down. They used to pay a percentage of sales and they were the highest non anchor payer. As for a suggestion box or asking the mall to bring in a store? OMG! They don't have the luxury of picking or choosing any store. They get on their knees and beg any chain that shows even the slightest interest. It's a buyers market, the mall has absolutely no leverage. You get what you get. "

feistyone wrote on Nov 19, 2008 5:45 PM:

" I think it is about variety and comparable prices, which very few of the stores there have. You have to compete or lose out. "

Kelso Resident wrote on Nov 19, 2008 6:07 PM:

" to bucko: I disagree if the mall owners make the place appealable meaning lower rents. Than reputable businesses will come. "

jb wrote on Nov 19, 2008 7:04 PM:

" Welcome back to Longview, Dan,Toni,Mike and Family. This is where you belong. Best of luck :) "

dogshead wrote on Nov 20, 2008 6:51 AM:

" I can not imagne that the idea of shopping protected from our NW wind and rain is dead. Long live the MALL. "

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