Super Bowl plans set for former Nordstrom space

An after-hours nightclub and a sports apparel shop will occupy much of the space at the former Nordstrom store in Circle Centre mall during Super Bowl festivities in downtown Indianapolis.

The Super Bowl Host Committee has dubbed the space "The Huddle" and has turned it into a temporary retail and entertainment spot right next to Super Bowl Village.

Lids Sports Group, the Indianapolis-based company formerly known as Hat World, announced Monday that it will take the entire second floor, or 23,000 square feet, of the former store from Jan. 27 through game day on Feb. 5.

Seattle-based Nordstrom Inc. closed the store July 31 after 16 years as an anchor in the mall. Mall manager Simon Property Group is still seeking a replacement tenant or tenants for the space.

The Lids temporary retail outlet will offer licensed National Football League and Super Bowl XLVI apparel and memorabilia. The company plans to bring in pro athletes for autograph sessions.

Lids has been involved at previous Super Bowls. But to be involved in a major event hosted by its headquarters city is even more meaningful, Lids President Ken Kocher said in a prepared statement.

“This is a great opportunity to elevate the Lids brand and to show our hometown pride,” he said.

About 250 Lids corporate office employees will volunteer to help about 200 employees who will travel from across the country to staff the store, Lids said.

Lids has more than 1,000 locations in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Meanwhile, the over-21 crowd searching for a nightcap can unwind at The Huddle After Hours Club, which will be open from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. from Jan. 27 to Feb. 4.

The nightclub will be in the first-floor space formerly occupied by Nordstrom's men’s department and will feature an exclusive VIP area and entertainment. The Indianapolis-based Penrod Society is helping the Super Bowl Host Committee book entertainment for the venue.

All-access passes to the club can be purchased in advance at www.huddleafterhours.com or www.indyhuddle.com. The $100 charge allows patrons access to the bar each night it is open without waiting in line. The pass does not allow access to the VIP area.

The only space left in the vacant store is on the third floor, said Diana Boyce, the committee’s spokeswoman, but it could be used for private parties.

“The Huddle is an opportunity for people to step in, warm up and grab a bite to eat,” she said. “It’s an opportunity near the [Super Bowl] Village for people to enjoy all things Super Bowl.”

Indeed, Super Bowl Village will span Georgia Street from Capital Avenue to Pennsylvania Street. The street underwent a $12.5 million overhaul, creating a three-block pedestrian plaza that will offer 10 days of entertianment options starting Jan. 27.

WISH-TV Channel 8 will broadcast from The Huddle, and Bob & Tom will do their nationally syndicated radio station live from the venue Feb. 2-3.

The Huddle also will feature the Chef’s Table restaurant, End Zone Beer Garden, NFL Ticket Exchange and a warming area with limited seating.

Other vacant space downtown that will be temporarily occupied during Super Bowl festivities includes the CSX building at 31 E. Georgia St., slated to house a police museum after the festivities, and the second and third floors of the former Jillian’s Restaurant at 141 S. Meridian St.

Indianapolis-based Mattison Corp., an association management firm, and the owners of the Taps & Dolls bar on South Meridian Street have partnered to lease 10,000 space feet in the CSX building. The venue, opening Jan. 27, will be called Stage Left and will feature food, a full bar and dueling pianos.

“The most attractive thing about this space is that it’s located immediately next to the main stage, the Verizon stage,” said Chris Price, a Mattison Corp. partner. “We’re 20 feet away from that.”

Advance tickets to Stage Left can be purchased at http://stageleft.eventbrite.com.

Mattison Corp.’s core clients are construction associations, which provided about 20 contractors to tear down walls and install permanent bathrooms. The improvements to the building will remain to benefit the local police foundation, which plans to open a museum at the site.

At the former Jillian’s space, Indianapolis-based BMG Event Productions is transforming the second and third floors into a luxury lounge and nightclub.

The city of Indianapolis is accepting license applications until Jan. 20 to temporarily occupy vacant structures.  

One high-profile space that remains unclaimed is the former Border’s site at the intersection of Washington and Meridian streets.