Maurice’s and West African Cuisine Leaving Columbia Mall

(KNOX) –Two businesses located in the Columbia Mall are leaving and relocating.

Maurice’s and West African Cuisine are the next two businesses to leave. Maurice’s announced on Facebook that it would be moving this fall, but that they would be staying in Grand Forks.

Someone had asked if they would be going next to HomeGoods, and the business confirmed that possibility by replying “you got it.”

The new location might be where Buff City Soap was on 32nd Avenue South. Buff City Soap closed down last December. HomeGoods is right next to where Buff City Soap was. Buff City Soap is the only closed business in that area, which has Buckle, Boot Barn and Michaels also located there.

West African Cuisine is moving into the Midtown District and taking over a space where Melissa’s Cocina. West African Cuisine was the only restaurant that was in the mall’s food court. They said on Facebook they officially moved into the new location this past Saturday. according to its Facebook page.

Only 17 businesses will remain in the mall when Maurice’s and West African Cuisine both leave.

City Administrator Todd Feland says the mall has lost $23 million in total value over the last 12 years. In 2014, the total value was $31 million, and $27 million was the building value. In 2026, the total value is now $8 million, and the land value is now larger than the building’s value. The land is worth $4 million, and the building is worth $3.5 million.