Signs and an online listing indicate an 80,000‑square‑foot indoor amusement center called LuLuLand Adventure Park could be headed to St. Paul’s Midway Marketplace at 1400 W. University Ave., bringing a mix of trampolines, arcades, obstacle courses and indoor zip lines to the long‑vacant former Herberger’s department store.
What’s visible now
An oversized banner has been attached to the exterior of the former Herberger’s building announcing the arrival of LuLuLand. The company’s website lists the St. Paul location among six sites labeled “coming soon.” Attempts to reach the company by phone and email on Thursday were unsuccessful; the phone number listed on the site was disconnected and emails bounced back.
“LULULAND ADVENTURE PARK. 80,000 SQ. FT. COMING SOON.”
Why this matters for the Midway
The Midway has seen steady retail departures in recent years, including the closure of Herberger’s in August 2018 after its parent company’s bankruptcy, a Walmart store in 2019 and a Cub Foods store last year. Local business advocates and neighborhood residents have repeatedly raised concerns about empty storefronts and declining foot traffic. A large entertainment use could alter that trajectory, drawing visitors and creating jobs — but it also raises questions about traffic, parking and how the site fits into longer‑term redevelopment plans.
- Site: 1400 W. University Ave., Midway Marketplace (former Herberger’s)
- Proposed size: 80,000 sq. ft.
- Features typically offered: trampolines, arcades, obstacle courses, indoor zip lines, toddler areas
Ownership and adjacent parcels
Kraus‑Anderson Inc. sold the Cub and Walmart parcels to Gsc Re Saint Paul LLC, a Paramus, New Jersey‑based limited liability company. Public records and business reporting connect that LLC with the company behind H‑Mart, a Korean‑American grocery and retail operator, but the new owner’s long‑term intentions for the site remain unclear.
| Former tenant | Year closed |
|---|---|
| Herberger's | 2018 |
| Walmart (neighboring) | 2019 |
| Cub Foods (Midway Marketplace) | 2025 |
For St. Paul city officials, neighborhood groups and county planners, a proposed LuLuLand would present both opportunity and uncertainty: a large tenant could revive a conspicuous vacancy and spur complementary businesses, while complicating broader plans for mixed‑use redevelopment of the Midway and the adjacent United Village superblock. With company contacts unreachable and the new property owner’s strategy not publicly detailed, residents and officials are left waiting for confirmation and a formal development plan.
News Block will continue to monitor filings, permit applications and public statements from the developer, property owner and the city as more information becomes available.
