Once located in Crossroads Mall, the store closed in 2022. The new, larger store will occupy much of what used to be the Younkers wing of the mall.

“We are excited that Dunham’s has decided to return to Fort Dodge,” Mayor Matt Bemrich said.

“It’s been a staple of our community and has been missed for the last two years,” he added. “They will have expanded offerings, including hunting and fishing selections. It will be a premier store for Dunham’s in the sporting goods world.”

A Dunham’s Sporting Goods spokesman did not return a call seeking comment Friday.

-Submitted image < br> The current status of the Corridor Plaza is shown in this graphic.

Although the majority of the Crossroads Mall was demolished to make way for the development of Corridor Plaza, the eastern part of the building that was home to Younkers was left standing. The stated goal of property owner Crossroads Plaza Development LLC, of Ankeny, was always to fill that 51,000 square foot building with stores.

“Over the next several weeks we plan to announce the tenants, as well as new restaurants and retailers in the surrounding space,” said BJ Stokesbary, a spokesman for Crossroads Plaza Development. “The first tenant we are excited to announce is a new and larger Dunham’s Sporting Goods.”

“This is going to be an exciting year for Corridor Plaza and Fort Dodge,” he said.

Stokesbary said Dunham’s Sporting Goods will be on the east side of the building, closest to 29th Street. He said the store will occupy about half of the building.

The necessary renovations will start immediately, he said. The store is expected to open in October.

“We have been working diligently behind the scenes to bring first class tenants to Corridor Plaza,” Stokesbary said. “We expect many exciting announcements the first part of this year. We have finalized lease and purchase agreements with several tenants and appreciate everyone’s patience as these deals take time before they are ready to be public.”

• The transformation of the former Crossroads Mall property began in late 2019 when the former Sears store at its south end was torn down.

The JCPenny store on the north end was demolished a year later.

Crossroads Plaza Development LLC, of Ankeny, completed its purchase of the property in early 2020 and announced plans to turn it into a multi-use area of stores, restaurants, a hotel and outdoor gathering spaces.

The center core of the mall was demolished in the fall of 2022.