Whenever a local discussion turns to the Moorhead Center Mall, it is not uncommon to hear, “Moorhead has a mall?” In an age where bigger is better and big-box stores attempt to corner the shopping market, it can be difficult for businesses like the mall to compete. New Moorhead Center mall manager Melissa Rademacher believes that can change. That means redefining the mall’s mission and understanding its place within the Fargo/Moorhead community. “I don’t want to compete (with Fargo); but instead, build relationships and work as partners,” she said. Rademacher understands the part of the battle is simply ensuring people know the mall exists. She believes that creating multiple partnerships with area groups and organizations is the first step. “Anything we can do to bring people to the mall will build awareness,” she said. Part of Rademacher’s focus involves bringing events to the mall. A recent Kids Fest drew over 1,000 people to the mall. According to Rademacher, that is simply the beginning.

Rademacher grew up in Fargo, where she attended Fargo South High School. She stayed in the area to go to college, studying retail merchandising, marketing, and business at North Dakota State University. Since then, Rademacher has carved out a very successful career in the fashion industry. Despite managing stores like Vanity and Abercrombie & Fitch on both the east and west coasts, Rademacher returned to the Red River Valley to embrace her roots and remain close to her family. Never one to back down from a challenge, she eagerly accepted the position as mall manager. “The goal and challenge is to revitalize the mall,” she said. “I remember how cool the mall was as a kid and I want to bring life back to it.” If there is one thing that will accomplish that goal, it is Rademacher’s fresh, vibrant, and forward-thinking outlook. The mall model of the past has become all but obsolete thanks to large retail corporations and online shopping. In order to compete, mall authorities will need to be able to think outside the box and create a new vision for the business.

Rademacher understands the direction the mall will likely have to take in order to become competitive again. She wants to add one-of-a-kind niche stores and partner with local small businesses to make the mall distinctive and unique. “I want to partner with people with passion,” she explained. “I am very passionate about helping the small thrive.” Part of making the mall thrive includes continuing her own education. “I want to be knowledgeable about all scopes of retail,” she explained. For Rademacher, that process includes obtaining her commercial real estate license. There is no such thing as resting on her laurels or being satisfied with where she is. Rademacher is always looking forward and striving to be the best possible person/worker she can be. It is that kind of motivation and drive that can propel the Moorhead Center Mall to heights it hasn’t enjoyed in quite some time.

Some people may think shopping malls are a contemporary invention. That is not the case. In fact, public shopping spaces date back to Ancient Rome, when markets were constructed to maximize space and shopper interaction. The