On March 7, some mild-mannered Minnesota mall walkers will be in for quite a shock.
If they take a lap around Rosedale Center’s former Herberger’s space, they’ll see more body-slamming action than any Black Friday sale at the store.
It’s Saturday Night Nitro 2.0, doncha know. Complete with an elevated wrestling ring and plenty of rowdy characters.
F1RST Wrestling, the upper Midwest’s premiere independent professional wrestling promotion, is putting on a major live pro wrestling event at the Roseville, Minnesota shopping center. The family- friendly event will feature local and national talent. And it’s sure to draw a crowd – as it did in 1995 at the Mall of America.
Retail malls across the nation are butting heads with online rivals over consumers’ time, attention and dollars. But Rosedale Center, a super-regional mall between St. Paul and Minneapolis, is tackling that trend in novel ways – creating unforgettable experiences.
Its operator, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), and mall management are willing to take risks, push boundaries and host diverse cultural events that engage a broader demographic. That’s why this midwestern mall is becoming a multicultural gathering place for all kinds of people.
The upshot? New faces coming through its doors. Growing brand awareness. More foot traffic. And, yes – wrestling fans.
Last year, Rosedale Center hosted an absurdist holiday horror theater – Haunted Basement. It engaged the LGBTQ community with a RuPaul drag fashion show. It displayed bold and provocative contemporary art.
And in a few months, Rosedale Center has another kind of takedown planned. A major, $100 million redevelopment project will transform the mall into a major retail and entertainment lifestyle center.
Until then, there’s no telling what’s next on its event docket. Better move fast, mall walkers. NASCAR races could be taking over your track.