Missing Stores

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Lisa

Veteran

Hi,

Maybe it's just me, but has anyone else noticed stores are disappearing?

I recently went to a mall to return an item at The Limited, but it was gone. Tried to stop at Harry and David for a gift, they were gone. Another day, another mall, stop at Charlie Browns, nope they are gone. Look for new shoes at Clarks, nope they were gone too.

Lots of reshuffling in the stores I guess.

13 years ago

Shopping

11 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

It's the economy- I have been noticing it for the last two years. My local mall (and this is the only indoor shopping mall for an hour's drive in any direction) has had an empty anchor store for 2 years now. It's crazy! We were supposed to get an Old Navy and a Macy's, and they were going to build a second story on the mall, but now stores are just sitting empty.

13 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Yes! I was going to go to Victoria's Secret on Friday night after dinner, but it was GONE! And then when I went to the mall the next day, VS was there but my beloved Talbots was gone! Yikes!!

13 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

I suppose I've gotten spoiled, living 20min or less from 3 malls, there's bound to be some vacancies. I've noticed a store here or there, but this is the first time I've noticed so many stores at one time. I wonder if one of the malls will go out of business at some point.

13 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

Ugh, I live in a very economically depressed state, and I see stores closing all the time. At the mall near me, we have lost our Ann Taylor, Eddie Bauer, and Gap, all within the last few years.

13 years ago

Debora

Veteran

I've noticed this, also. Such a sad state of affairs, not to mention all the jobs lost.

13 years ago

Beth

Veteran

I've noticed this as well. Our area had two very nice open-air malls open in 2003. One seems to be holding its own, but I worry about the other.

13 years ago

Debora

Veteran

Beth, I know exactly the one you are talking about. I worry about that one, too. It's too bad because there are some great stores there that we can't find at the other one.

13 years ago

Nadya

Veteran

MaryK: I was at my local mall today and the Talbot's had turned into a Victoria's Secret! There's a Talbot's at the next nearest mall, but they recently downsized. We did just get an H&M but that place kind of freaks me out. I'm not their target audience, though!

13 years ago

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

It's interesting that you guys are seeing this with the larger chains, which I believe is being underreported. This is a brutal economy. The reason we are not seeing soup lines is because jpmorganchasewhatever is issuing food stamps in debit card form to record numbers of people (and making a tidy profit!). Most national chains leveraged up for growth and are just living debt payment to debt payment. Rising commodity costs could easily crush anyone of them at any time. I follow Harry & David because my small side business is located in southern Oregon. As far as I can tell they are just circling the drain. They defaulted on a key debt service march 1, they're being sued for non payment and breach of contract by their subcontracted call center, in dec they had to admit they were under capital requirements, and it sounds as if they haven't properly paid out a bunch of execs they let go last year. Sad too because it was a solid regional company that got bought by a hedge fund and stuffed to the gills with debt. The hedgies bonus themselves out first and the company is left staggering with the debt load. This is all far from over, as far as I can see. Sad for the local economies everywhere. Enjoy thrifting with cash and starve the beast! We need to take back our local economies. Just my 2 cents... L

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

The one near me that bummed me out the most was a small boutique called Paradigm, in Annapolis. They had a good selection of fairly trendy items at reasonable prices, which is sometimes a challenge in this conservative town. I almost always walked out of there with a purchase.

As for a national retailer, I miss the Martin & Osa that closed a few months ago. I got some great basics there.

13 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

This is true, it is sad to see any store close. But I am always extra sad when it is a local store (ie a non chain store). A bit like crushing the American dream in my head. But times are changing and change can sometimes be uncomfortable. I remember when going to the mall was a real outing, and there was only one around. Then they kept popping up and shopping got easier, and closer in driving.

13 years ago

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