Around Town 1-18 - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Changes are afoot at the mall and on the airwaves.

Barbara Sharp takes you Around Town.

<<So what's going on behind the big, green wall in the old Scheels' space?

It's the new Scheels' space, they're expanding.

Big time.

The new store will add 41,000 square feet for a total of 141,000 square feet at the location.

Out of Scheels' 24 stores, the Bismarck store is slated to be the largest.

The new entrance will be pushed out to the back of Coldwater Creek, as the addition includes not only the space behind the green wall, but across the current mall hallway.

The much larger store will feature a much bigger restaurant with an expanded menu and grill.

The clothing areas will also be expanding.

The first section of the new store is expected to be open mid-March with the entire project completed by mid-May.

Scheels will remain open for business throughout.

What was once BOB FM is now "BIG RIG."

The change means 105.9 FM is switching formats from adult contemporary to new country, with some of the legends throw in.

(Sid Hardt, Program Director, 105.9 FM) "Well, I'll tell you what, this is a huge country market and what we have here with the BIG RIG is a radio station that, first of all, we think, as far as quality is concerned, the best-sounding country station on the dial, in terms of quality of FM signal. And, we also, there's no clutter. We just play a lot of great country music."

While the station is currently operating without a disc jockey, there are plans are to hire staff, including a D.J. soon.

The current minority owner in Kirkwood Mall has sealed a deal to purchase the other 51 percent.

CBL & Associates Properties based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, says everything is ready to go subject to lender approval.

CBL also owns Dakota Square Mall in Minot.

The Minot property is connected to a hotel and indoor water park.

The company says it's too early to talk about any similar upgrades.

In the meantime, Bismarck shoppers won't see any changes.

Taking you Around Town, I'm Barbara Sharp.>>