Smulekoff’s planning to stay in current location

CEDAR RAPIDS - The lone remaining downtown Cedar Rapids department store hasn't begun making relocation plans because it doesn't foresee the need to move, a spokeswoman said.

“We really have no plans on where we're going because we really have no plans to go anyplace,” said Smulekoff's Communications Manager Theresa Blair.

Smulekoff's location at 97 Third Ave. SE is adjacent to the Cedar River, and was heavily damaged in the June 2008 flood. It could also be affected by the construction of a flood wall to protect the east side of the downtown area.

Blair said the City of Cedar Rapids requested that the company submit a letter of interest in a buyout to protect its interest in the event that construction of the flood wall impedes its use of the property. The city even told the company when it needed to receive the letter and what it had to say in order to be able to offer a buyout should that become necessary, Blair added.

The company was surprised earlier this month when the letter became public and it sounded like Smulekoff's was planning to relocate or close, Blair said. If relocation became necessary, she said the company would have no shortage of other downtown options.

“We see this as being our grandchildren's problem,”  Blair said.