Vacant St. Cloud storefront could become Sierra Trading Post

An outdoor recreation gear and apparel store is on track to move into the former Ulta Beauty storefront on the west side of St. Cloud.

The Cheyenne, Wyo.-based Sierra Trading Post applied for a permit to remodel the space at 3959 2nd St. S. in December. The city issued the permit in February.

A spokesperson for Sierra Trading Post did not confirm a retail store would be coming to St. Cloud, stating via e-mail, "When opening new stores, we tend to announce our plans when we believe the time is right to do so competitively. Generally speaking, it is our practice not to announce store openings until close to an intended opening date."

The company is owned by TJX companies, which also owns TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods. Sierra Trading Post has 46 locations, including six in Minnesota: Burnsville, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Richfield, Roseville and Woodbury.

The Ulta Beauty store moved from the Rivertown Village mall in 2019. It then reopened in a remodeled space — formerly a Sears — at Crossroads Center mall, along with HomeGoods and DSW.

Because Rivertown Village is zoned commercial, any proposed plans to remodel space for similar commercial use is handled administratively and does not require public hearings in front of the planning commission or City Council, according to Matt Glaesman, community development director.

Rivertown Village, at the corner of 2nd Street S. and Minnesota Hwy. 15, was formerly known as Rainbow Village and was the site of a Rainbow Foods until the grocer closed in 2003.

Then the space was renovated for multiple smaller stores. Bed Bath & Beyond and World Market stores were announced for the space in 2004, followed by Old Navy in 2005.

The block on the city's far west side also includes free-standing Granite City Food & Brewery and Barnes & Noble stores. The center mall includes several apparel stores and fast-casual eateries.

Jenny Berg