Atrium's fate met with optimism

The impending closure of the Atrium Mall isn't necessarily a huge blow to downtown Havre, local business leaders said today.

While having to relocate will be difficult and possibly expensive for the tenants, there is vacant business space to accommodate them, business people said.

Such expressions of optimism greeted news Monday that Atrium owner Don Vaupel, citing a shortage of tenants and rising energy costs, plans to close the Atrium on March 31. The attached building housing Office Equipment Co. and Hanson's Western Drug will remain open.

The Atrium is half full, with about 13 tenants.

Pau...