Gordmans // Something Unexpected

Press Release

April 2, 2010

Gordmans makes Mishawaka debut

Nebraska retailer described as cross between Kohl's, Marshalls.

MARKET BASKET

By HEIDI PRESCOTT
Tribune Columnist

"Gordmans?"

Tracie Patrick had never heard of the store before.

That is, not until her sister, Tamie Pudlo, called early Thursday morning to ask if she wanted to go shopping.

The sisters drove up from Walkerton and North Liberty to be among the first customers at the new Gordmans, located at 4430 N. Grape Road, beside Kohl's.

The Mishawaka store opened at 9 a.m. Thursday. A grand opening is planned April 9 to 11.

Patrick and Pudlo took their time looking at the merchandise along the wide racetrack aisle their first time around the store. Each sister returned to the front of the store for carts before they started their second lap.

That's always a good sign.

The sisters described Gordmans as a cross between Kohl's and T.J. Maxx. The department layout and overall store appearance resembles Kohl's, while the pricing structure is closer to T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, they agreed, pausing to mention other comparisons.

They quickly noted how the bright color scheme and fun name-brand clothes in the spacious Juniors department has a Rue 21 feel.

And the sisters noticeably picked up the pace when they saw the signs for Home Accents, the largest department at the store. While the aisles were narrower than they would have liked, the home decor and accessories reminded them of Waccamaw, Pier 1 Imports and Hobby Lobby.

"I don't shop a lot, but when I do I like to find something unique and a little different at a good deal," says Pudlo. "I'm seeing things here that I haven't seen at other stores."

Gordmans does not advertise sales, because of its low-pricing structure, according to information on its Web site. Company officials were unavailable for comment Thursday.

Patrick, an interior designer, liked the selection of clocks, wall decor, floral pieces, and other home accessories. She couldn't resist buying a beaded piece of copper wire garden art that she planned to put in the ground near her garage.

She made sure to buy it Thursday, since she didn't know if the store would have it next time. While Gordmans remains consistent in themes within departments, the actual merchandise assortment is always changing.

The sisters also took note of the Notre Dame, Cubs and White Sox apparel in the grand stand area, and Nickelodeon cartoons airing on TV in the Gordmans Giggles area near infants and toddlers apparel. A third TV is located just outside the dressing rooms in the center of the store.

Renee Shuman, of South Bend, left Gordmans impressed with the store layout and customer service, but wishing the retailer was a little different from the others up and down Grape Road.

"This seems like more of the same homogenized stores that we already have," Shuman said. "It feels like more of the same."

But sisters Patrick and Pudlo definitely plan to visit Gordmans again. This marked the Omaha, Neb.-based chain's 68th location.

Let us know what you think of Gordmans at www.facebook.com/thebasket. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. seven days a week.

Where to find it?

Last week we posed this question from Mike Van Hulle. "Have not been able to find grilled pork tenderloin sandwiches in the South Bend area since Eddie's in Granger stopped offering them a few years ago.

Here's what you said.

Tami Hudson says, "I know that the South Side Soda Shop in Goshen has grilled tenderloins on the menu, as does Zale's Drug Store at the small soda fountain counter in Warsaw."

Jon Backstron in South Bend says, "Hilltop Restaurant in Lakeville has a great grilled tenderloin. They also have fantastic onion rings and pancakes."

Rich D'Angelo says, "Tell Mr. V that Honker's on South Michigan Street and Maxi's Barn on Ireland Road both have pretty good tenderloin sandwiches."

Jennifer Moore, co-owner of Moser's Austrian Cafe in New Carlisle, says her restaurant serves a grilled pork tenderloin and roasted pork tenderloin. The Porky Pesto Sandwich is a grilled tenderloin with pesto, spinach, green peppers and onions on swirl rye bread. The Schweinsbraten is a roasted pork tenderloin with sauerkraut and potatoes.

Kelly Trippel, co-owner of Main Street Grille in downtown Mishawaka writes, "We added a pork tenderloin sandwich to our menu a couple of months ago and it is not fried."

Here's our next question.

Lillie Goralski is looking for restaurant recommendations for jambalaya.

"My husband and I always have jambalaya at the Grand Luc Cafe at the Venetian in Las Vegas, and we were wondering if there is someplace around the area that serves a good jambalaya."

E-mail your suggestions for Lillie to hprescott@sbtinfo.com and we'll print them next week.

Have you heard?

OshKosh B'gosh is planning a new 4,000-square-foot store at Lighthouse Place in Michigan City, according to a state construction report ... Read the latest about South Bend's North Village Mall in Sunday's column. Post your comments on the shopping center on our blog or Facebook page. (We reached 1,000 fans this week!!) We'll also have news from the Granger retail front.

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