EDITORIAL: Fresh challenges for revitalized Silver Lake Mall

Before 2021, the Silver Lake Mall was struggling. The many vacant storefronts and dismal atmosphere wasn’t holding old customers or attracting new ones. The mall’s future was not bright. 

But when Dave and Barbara Knoll looked at the 330,000-square-feet of space, they didn’t see a shopping center whose better days were behind it. They saw a shopping center that could be filled with businesses, a place locals wanted to visit, and they set out to create it. 

They succeeded. 

It wasn’t long before Black Sheep Sporting Goods, owned by the Knolls, filled the old JC Penney space, all 100,000 square feet of it. In short order, the mall had a number of stores with the latest and great in clothing, shoes, household decor, outdoors gear, and games. 

The mall’s transformation has been a testament to the power of reinvention, as it adapts to the changing needs of shoppers.

One of the main goals of this revitalization was to bring back the kind of entertainment experience that malls once provided. With brick-and-mortar retail competing against online shopping and big-box stores, it’s no longer enough to simply offer products. The mall needed to become a destination, a place where people would leave their homes and come together in person to shop, socialize, and enjoy the experience.

This last holiday season, the mall was 100% full. Zero vacancies. Pop-up shops even filled much of the walking area. Music filled the atmosphere with a joyous sound. The vast parking lot was full. The entire mall vibe was improved under the mantra of price, selection and service. 

But these days, new challenges have arisen. 

Macy’s recently announced another round of store closures, and the Silver Lake Mall location was on that list. Next, it was announced Joann fabric and crafts store at the mall would be closed. Both have been longtime, anchor tenants that provided the mall with a steady stream of customers. 

The loss of two mall strongholds would seem a major blow. And no doubt, it won’t be easy to overcome such setbacks. It’s a problem with no simple solutions. 

But don't lose heart.

As the retail landscape evolves, it’s clear that the Silver Lake Mall — and the Knolls — are capable of moving with the times. The local community remains a crucial part of its identity, and we hope the mall remains a key part of the North Idaho retail scene for years to come. If you haven’t been in a while, it might be worth visiting — you might just find something new to enjoy.