News from Kilbourne Group

October 2009

On This Harvest Moon...

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October." - Nathaniel Hawthorne

October ... homecoming games, brilliant leaves, crisp apples, ripe pumpkins ... and this year, a Full Harvest Moon.

Full moon names date back hundreds of years ago to Native American tribes of the northern and eastern United States. These tribes tracked the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full moon. The names were applied to the entire month in which each full moon occurred.

Traditionally, the Full Harvest Moon designation goes to the full moon that occurs closest to the Autumnal Equinox. While the Harvest Moon usually occurs in September, sometimes - as is the case in 2009 - it falls in early October (specifically, 1:10 a.m. CT Sunday, October 4). Usually the full moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around the Harvest Moon, the moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night. And if the sky is unclouded, there is full moonlight almost from sunset to sunrise.

Like full moonlight, downtown Fargo shines brightly with opportunities, adventures and new businesses. This month's newsletter highlights a few. As always, we welcome your feedback on our projects and on future topics for this newsletter; simply send us an email at info@kilbournegroup.com.

In October, take time to "disconnect" and truly enjoy the beauty and abundance of autumn. You won't regret it.

Enjoy the journey,

Doug Burgum
Founder and Chairman, Kilbourne Group

New Eatery at 300 Broadway
Erbert & Gerbert's Subs & Clubs will officially open at 300 Broadway on Thursday, October 8th. This quick-service sandwich shop serves up delicious sandwiches as well as soups, chili, sides and desserts.

The restaurant is the fourth Erbert & Gerbert's franchise in Fargo-Moorhead. Ted Horan of Moorhead, who owns the local franchises with Tom Horan, Joe Cody and Dick Downs, said they decided to open a downtown Fargo location to better segment the city and to be more efficient with deliveries.

"We're excited to open an Erbert & Gerbert's in the heart of downtown Fargo at 300 Broadway," said Ted Horan. "The location has great character, just like our subs!"

The eatery will be open from 10:30 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and from 10:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Delivery is available by calling 701-478-SUBS (7827).

Welcome to 300 Broadway, Erbert & Gerbert's!

Happy First Anniversary
Kilbourne Group extends warm "happy first anniversary" wishes to Vlana Vlee and Silver Moon Supper Club, both celebrating anniversaries in October.

Located at 102 Broadway, Vlana Vlee is a 6,700 square foot lifestyle boutique with something for everyone: unique specialty gift items, furniture and home décor, fashion-setting clothing and shoes, baby gifts, interior design services ... and now, more shoes! Yes, to make its first-year anniversary even more exciting, Vlana Vlee recently announced that The Red Shoe (formerly located at 315 N. Broadway in Fargo) has relocated to Vlana Vlee! The Red Shoe will feature a premier collection of handbags, footwear and jewelry that ranges in styles from casual to dressy. The boot gallery will deliver styles from the casual college boot to the most sophisticated fashion boot.

Vlana Vlee recently won the High Plains Reader 2009 vote for Best New Store in Fargo-Moorhead as well as Best of Show in the Windows on Broadway competition.

During the week of October 19th, Vlana Vlee will celebrate its one year anniversary with special sales as well as a grand opening celebration of the funky new The Red Shoe area.

"Our location at 102 Broadway has been fabulous for us. We get huge drive-by traffic exposure as well as great downtown foot traffic from both residents and visitors of Fargo-Moorhead," said Julie Smith, owner of Vlana Vlee. "So many people appreciate the downtown Fargo experience and especially the big-city flavor of Vlana Vlee."

Located on the first floor of The Lofts on Roberts, the Silver Moon Supper Club is also celebrating its one year anniversary in October. The restaurant provides a sophisticated and comfortably elegant dining experience that whisks visitors away to another era.

Recently voted Best Fine Dining and Best Place to Take a Date in the High Plains Reader 2009 vote, The Silver Moon Supper Club is decorated in art deco style and named in honor of the original Silver Moon in Moorhead, Minnesota. The restaurant offers a constantly rotating menu of contemporary American dishes and features live music, mostly jazz and classical.

"We chose the space at The Lofts on Roberts for two reasons: the design of the space so well suited the concept of a gracious and elegant restaurant rooted in history and grounded in the 21st century," said Monte Jones, owner of Silver Moon Supper Club. "And because Kilbourne Group has been so gracious and supportive since the beginning of the project."

U.S. Bank Plaza Update
Kilbourne Group recently reached an Option Agreement with U.S. Bank to purchase property that currently houses the U.S. Bank surface parking lot and plaza in downtown Fargo. (Read the full press release here.)

We will keep you updated as our feasibility study and plans progress. As related to our interest in this central location in downtown Fargo:

We have been in discussions with U.S. Bank for the last two years regarding opportunities to develop the property.
We have not yet purchased this property. Rather, we have an option to buy the property within the next three years.
During this feasibility time, we are meeting with potential tenants and are evaluating the best use for this location in downtown Fargo.
The property that Kilbourne Group has an option to buy does not include the parking ramp that the City of Fargo owns.

"This central Broadway block can play a vital role in the future of downtown Fargo," said Doug Burgum. "We are excited to take the next steps in seeing how this property can be rejuvenated."