After decades of sitting vacant and multiple unsuccessful development plans, the former Redwood Theatre/Redwood Racquetball and Fitness Club building at 210 South Mill Street in Redwood Falls will finally be brought into the 21st century with a new tenant. Renovations are already underway to update the building’s infrastructure and prepare a retail storefront for Amanda’s Apparel, a custom clothing and accessories business currently based out of the home of proprietor Amanda Johanneck.

Johanneck Leasing recently purchased the building, seeing its retail potential given its highway location and proximity to other shops downtown. They are installing new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, as well as updating the front of the building to provide a division between the front shopping space and back counter area. New drywall, paint, floors, ceiling, and lighting will all be installed before the displays and apparel are brought in. Even the iconic marquee will be updated in the spring to showcase the new tenant.

Amanda’s Apparel will rent the storefront from Johanneck Leasing, owned by Amanda’s husband Jay and his siblings, Scott Johanneck and Jenn Johanneck. The company is receiving a downtown commercial rehabilitation loan from the City of Redwood Falls, which in turn is using funds provided by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Small Cities Development Program. According to City Administrator Keith Muetzel, half of the $30,000 loan is forgivable and the other half is repaid at low interest over ten years.

Amanda (Hillmer) Johanneck is a Redwood Falls native who graduated from Redwood Valley High School in 2006. Searching for creative outlets throughout her life, she discovered a local custom apparel business in 2023 and asked to learn more about their services. She started her business that spring, seeing custom apparel as a way to explore her creativity and help members of her community. She said, “Everyone needs clothing one way or another. Custom apparel became a way that I could help make a special shirt for a birthday or graduation, unite a local small business in matching polos or outfit my son’s soccer team or help raise funds for community causes. It’s amazing how impactful apparel can be!”

Amanda’s Apparel specializes in direct-to-film printing, which produces results similar to screen printing but allows for small orders to be produced quickly and efficiently. The business offers clothes and accessories of all types and for all ages. Johanneck’s typical customers include groups, teams, employers, and organizations looking for collective apparel, plus individuals wanting single items. She recently purchased an embroidery machine and is looking forward to offering embroidered items once she masters the machine. Johanneck has future plans to offer 3D printed items, as well.

After three years as a home-based business, Johanneck admitted moving out wasn’t part of the early plans. She said, “when the possibility arose from Johanneck Leasing offering the space to rent, it seemed like a great opportunity to better serve my community, provide a space where customers can browse samples for custom orders and shop completed items.” The store will feature a small selection of ready-made local and seasonal items available for purchase and blank samples for custom orders.

At the January 6 Redwood Falls City Council meeting, members expressed excitement that the long-vacant historical building will finally be occupied after multiple unsuccessful redevelopment attempts over the last two decades. The Redwood Theatre was built and opened in 1931. Closing in the late 1960s, it sat empty for about 10 years before being resurrected as Redwood Racquetball and Fitness Club, which lasted about 20 years. Since then, the building has changed hands multiple times as owners explored plans for commercial and non-commercial opportunities.

Amanda Johanneck now hopes the next chapter for the nearly-century-old building includes continued growth of her business and ongoing legacy as an asset to the community. She said, “I see Amanda’s Apparel as being complementary not just to the downtown businesses but to the community as a whole. I want to continue to build on community involvement by serving other small businesses, teams, and events. Items purchased at Amanda’s Apparel will keep apparel dollars local. Amanda’s Apparel will continue to collaborate with other local businesses as I have over the past 3 years. I have hopes for additional future creative outlets in this space as there is more square footage in the building to utilize down the road.” Johanneck plans on opening this summer and expects to be open a few hours a week in the beginning. She invites customers to follow her Facebook page and website for updates.

Note: The dates in the photos are educated guesses by the author and should not be taken as fact.