Multifaceted Arts Space Sought for Vacant Maple Grove JCPenney
NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect that Maple Grove has not received a formal development proposal.
An empty big box store in Maple Grove could soon get new life. The city’s JCPenney shut its doors in 2020. But now a neighbor is seeing the creative potential in its empty storefront.
The JCPenney lot is over 87,000 square feet, located at 13701 Grove Dr N. It used to hold multiple departments, including a salon. All of those spaces are empty now, save for many left-behind racks, shelving and mannequins.
Dave Berger, the creator of the nonprofit Grove Square Collective, has big dreams for the space.
“As I was driving by this place every day, it just looked so empty. But yet, it screamed to me that it had such potential,” Berger said.
Maple Grove officials stress that the idea is not a formal proposal and that the city has not received any application to redevelop the property.
The current front of the former JCPenney lot. Berger said he can picture a marquee in its place.
A Place for Creativity
Since the store closed, it has been sitting vacant. But it takes a creative mind to see what it become. That’s where Berger comes in. His vision? A multidisciplinary arts space. That means room for theater, stand-up comedy, dance, music and even visual arts. He’s also hopeful the space could be used to show films.
“If you look right there, I see a stage right there,” Berger said, gesturing around a space once used as a loading dock.
He said he feels Maple Grove needed an arts space for the creative people in the area. Many, he explained, don’t have a long-term place to practice or perform.
“It’s hard to be creative when you don’t really have a reliable place to call your home,” Berger said.
With Berger’s idea, that home could become a reality for many groups. Its name would be Grove Square Studios (GSS).
Berger said he’s been in many conversations with the landlord, largely thanks to Berger’s ability to speak some Chinese. As of now, he said there are three different paths forward: the first, the building is donated to GSS, with them becoming the owners. The second is an opportunity for reduced rent under the current tenant, and the third is an “omni-lease” with groups sharing rent costs.
Berger said the current landlord has offered to clear out the building and make improvements. With permission, he’s already brought groups through on tours. On the tours, the groups envision what they could do with the space.
“You can just picture all of that talent in one area. It will just feed upon itself, the energy level will just replicate, which is kind of cool,” Berger said.
Berger stands in the middle of the 87,000 square foot property. The building will need to change its public use designation and establish a new design.
What’s Next?
So far, Berger said more than 30 groups are interested in joining. He’s prioritizing nonprofits.
One interested group is the I-94 West Chamber of Commerce. President Mindy Smith said she hopes her organization could use it as a large meeting space, something she feels this area of the metro is missing.
“We have a lot of beautiful outdoor spaces in Minnesota, but it is hard sometimes to find indoor seating that fits a crowd larger than 300, 400,” Smith said.
But she noted this isn’t just for the chamber’s benefit — the building could fill a gap in the corridor for everyone.
“Really, it would be a nice space to have something on this edge of the cities that would bring people to Maple Grove,” Smith said.
The lease is not signed yet. If all goes smoothly, Berger said his goal is to open Grove Square Studios to the public in spring or summer 2026. He said he would love to get more nonprofits and arts groups involved. More details on the project and how people can join are on the GSS website.
