420 replies to this topic

[ColaPro]

dusty87, on 28 December 2011 - 10:07 AM, said:

Is Forever 21 at Columbiana going to get a men's section in their expansion? Because I would definitely want that!

There will be a mens section from what I am hearing.

[ct36]

dusty87, on 28 December 2011 - 10:07 AM, said:

Wow this news about A&F closing at Columbiana definitely makes me feel sad. Actually the truth is A&F as a whole has been hurting as of late. It was about what a little over a year ago this time of  year when A&F shuttered over 100 stores and even closed one store at a very upscale mall in Denver(Flatirons Crossing).

EDIT: Found it!
http://blogs.citypag...crombie_fit.php


The A&F store at Columbiana is very, very nice inside but its true in the two years I've lived here I never saw much traffic inside the store. Nowhere as busy as sister Hollister and rivals AE, Buckle, and Aeropostale.

Is Forever 21 at Columbiana going to get a men's section in their expansion? Because I would definitely want that!

Who knows, maybe an H&M store in is this mall's future...

Actually, it was 60 stores over all 3 brands, a little less than 30 A&F stores. Flat Iron Crossing isn't quite as upscale or successful as Park Meadows, at least it seems. Then there's Cherry Creek, which is truly very upscale. I think Forever 21 is getting a men's section, but I'm not completely sure.

[dusty87]

When Flatirons first opened it was, especially when it opened with a Lord and Taylor. Also I'd say Flatirons was a success it caused three other malls in Denver and Boulder to shutter altogether. You can't beat Cherry Creek for sure, although like Charleston they've lost their Saks.

Anyways I talked to a rather causal acquaintance who works at A&F in Columbiana today and he said A&F is mainly going to focus in bigger markets and bigger malls and has been closing stores as their leases come up. He's going to be working at the Hollister store in the meantime.

[SCxpBrussel]

Columbia's Abercrombie & Fitch was still open as of Saturday, January 14, 2012, and did not appear to be emptying out as a result of a liquidation sale. A check of the A&F website on January 16 also lists the Columbiana Centre location as still open. Perhaps the rumors weren't true after all and Columbiana's A&F was spared?

[ColaPro]

SCxpBrussel, on 16 January 2012 - 05:29 PM, said:

Columbia's Abercrombie & Fitch was still open as of Saturday, January 14, 2012, and did not appear to be emptying out as a result of a liquidation sale. A check of the A&F website on January 16 also lists the Columbiana Centre location as still open. Perhaps the rumors weren't true after all and Columbiana's A&F was spared?

http://ldiline.com/s...0.0.pdf&dir=CVR
According to this link, Love Culture was already slated to move in. The renovation has also been bid on. I do think it will stay open for long.

I think Columbiana needs to look into expanding soon. I know they have plans already made. An expansion is badly needed since the mall is at 100% occupancy.

[citylife]

SCxpBrussel, on 16 January 2012 - 05:29 PM, said:

Columbia's Abercrombie & Fitch was still open as of Saturday, January 14, 2012, and did not appear to be emptying out as a result of a liquidation sale. A check of the A&F website on January 16 also lists the Columbiana Centre location as still open. Perhaps the rumors weren't true after all and Columbiana's A&F was spared?

The State says they closed on 1-14: http://www.thestate....s-notebook.html I imagine they did close for good after Saturday and A&F's website just hasn't been updated yet. Sephora and Love Culture will be replacing the Abercrombie Kids and Fitch spaces at Columbiana Centre. Construction bids have already gone out for them.

Edited by citylife, 16 January 2012 - 07:54 PM.

[ct36]

A&F's sales for stores that are closing aren't quite as good as the regular sales. Instead of 30% off entire purchase/50% off clearance, they just have 40% off everything, and hardly any clearance. There were many things in Asheville half the price as they were at Haywood. The Columbiana store has definitely closed, A&F just doesn't really update their store locations until after about a week.

[dusty87]

Is the A&F outlet store down in Hilton Head is still open? Then again A&F's website doesn't seem to list their outlet store locations.

I was sad that Columbia lost their American Apparel location last year due to their filing Chapter 11. Now I'm sad we lost another nice in spite of the naysayers I did enjoy their classic wear too. I do like Hollister but its not the same.

I guess if I need A&F now I'll shop online or plan a day in Charlotte. Or Augusta if that one is still open too. I just really, really hope A&F is not going to go the way of Anchor Blue.

This article is two years old but it seems to sheds more light on the closings and A&F troubles:

http://www.dispatch....ose-stores.html

As for Columbiana itself, yes expansion is needed. Close dying Sears and bring on Macy's from Columbia Place. Do something with that fifth anchor pad. Open a California Pizza Kitchen in the closed restaurant area by Forever 21.

Edited by dusty87, 17 January 2012 - 12:13 AM.

[CorgiMatt]

The State reported the other day that A&F is closing their stores in Columbia, Charleston and Greenville, and keeping their Myrtle Beach store open.

[ct36]

dusty87, on 16 January 2012 - 11:54 PM, said:

Is the A&F outlet store down in Hilton Head is still open? Then again A&F's website doesn't seem to list their outlet store locations.

I was sad that Columbia lost their American Apparel location last year due to their filing Chapter 11. Now I'm sad we lost another nice in spite of the naysayers I did enjoy their classic wear too. I do like Hollister but its not the same.

I guess if I need A&F now I'll shop online or plan a day in Charlotte. Or Augusta if that one is still open too. I just really, really hope A&F is not going to go the way of Anchor Blue.

This article is two years old but it seems to sheds more light on the closings and A&F troubles:

http://www.dispatch....ose-stores.html

As for Columbiana itself, yes expansion is needed. Close dying Sears and bring on Macy's from Columbia Place. Do something with that fifth anchor pad. Open a California Pizza Kitchen in the closed restaurant area by Forever 21.

As far as I know A&F hasn't planned on closing any outlet stores, so there will still be one in Hilton Head and Commerce.
Just so you know, the best one in Charlotte is SouthPark and the best in Atlanta are Mall of Georgia, then Lenox and Perimeter.

I think Von Maur or Macy's would do well at Columbiana. Macy's could open at Sandhills, or at Columbiana if Von Maur doesn't come first. Von Maur would work better in Columbia than Greenville based on what I've heard/experience. Since Columbiana doesn't have a Macy's, it could work better than Haywood, since it would have Von Maur, Belk, Dillard's, and Macy's. From what I have heard/seen is that Haywood's department stores are much larger and slightly more upscale than Columbiana's, except for maybe Belk mens at Columbiana, which sounds to be more upscale than men's at Haywood.
Then, I think a lifestyle center with H&M, P. F. Chang's, Pottery Barn, J. Crew, California Pizza Kitchen, etc. would be great where Sears is.

[clt29301]

ColaPro, on 16 January 2012 - 06:14 PM, said:

http://ldiline.com/s...0.0.pdf&dir=CVR
According to this link, Love Culture was already slated to move in. The renovation has also been bid on. I do think it will stay open for long.

I think Columbiana needs to look into expanding soon. I know they have plans already made. An expansion is badly needed since the mall is at 100% occupancy.

ColaPro

Do you have more information on Columbiana's expansion plans?  I have always thought that this mall is too small to serve as the primary mall of a MSA with 800k residents.  I could see a lifestyle center attached somewhere if there is enough room.

[clt29301]

ct36, on 17 January 2012 - 04:34 PM, said:

As far as I know A&F hasn't planned on closing any outlet stores, so there will still be one in Hilton Head and Commerce.
Just so you know, the best one in Charlotte is SouthPark and the best in Atlanta are Mall of Georgia, then Lenox and Perimeter.

I think Von Maur or Macy's would do well at Columbiana. Macy's could open at Sandhills, or at Columbiana if Von Maur doesn't come first. Von Maur would work better in Columbia than Greenville based on what I've heard/experience. Since Columbiana doesn't have a Macy's, it could work better than Haywood, since it would have Von Maur, Belk, Dillard's, and Macy's. From what I have heard/seen is that Haywood's department stores are much larger and slightly more upscale than Columbiana's, except for maybe Belk mens at Columbiana, which sounds to be more upscale than men's at Haywood.
Then, I think a lifestyle center with H&M, P. F. Chang's, Pottery Barn, J. Crew, California Pizza Kitchen, etc. would be great where Sears is.

I agree. Columbiana should be more upscale than it currently is. Could definitely support more upscales stores than currently exist.

[xyhamiltonboi]

Columbiana doesn't need to be expanded.  Not enough parking now as it is.

[growingup15]

No expansion just Refurbished to make it look more brand New and more Modern.

[johnpro318]

growingup15, on 18 February 2012 - 07:27 AM, said:

No expansion just Refurbished to make it look more brand New and more Modern.

Columbiana definitely needs an expansion whether it be a new wing or a second story. They also need at least one parking garage added to help with parking and traffic flows.

[growingup15]

johnpro318, on 20 February 2012 - 11:24 AM, said:

Columbiana definitely needs an expansion whether it be a new wing or a second story. They also need at least one parking garage added to help with parking and traffic flows.

parking garage or extra floor does sounds like a great idea. i think they need to build underground though. one floor down would be nice. with a underground garage.

[dusty87]

My wishlist for Columbiana:

*H&M
*Urban Outfitters
*Guess
*Armani Exchange
*Macy's taking over Sears spot
*Someday, a Nordstrom in Dillard's spot.

[ct36]

I could easily see the first 4 happening. It's really hard to say where Nordstrom would go.
Greenville-largest and best/most upscale mall, Nordstrom stores around 1.5-2 hours away, etc. plus would be on same interstate area with Atlanta and Charlotte stores (which some chains prefer)

Columbia-tons of bad/just okay malls, then Columbiana, which is nicer but not as nice and as large as Haywood, largest city, but SouthPark is a little closer than it is to Greenville to CLT, but farther from Atlanta), best distribution over state, etc.

Charleston-more tourists, more upscale shopping, overall bad malls with nice downtown (which Nordstrom really doesn't do except in large cities), farthest from Nordstrom stores.
The problem is that all three want Nordstrom. Also, all three really could have Nordstrom. Only 1 will likely get Nordstrom. There's really no way to tell where they will go because each place has it's advantages, etc. I normally give the edge to Greenville, but I'm not so sure.
If they wanted to put one farthest from other stores, then Charleston would be best. The problem is that it just seems like Charleston is kind of isolated. Like its there and big, but there's not that much around it. Columbia is kind of the same way. Greenville on the other hand, does have Spartanburg and Anderson and Asheville not too far off. Almost like Greenville would probably pull in more people to shop there.

Haywood is also older and less attractive than Columbiana (exterior only). Another thing is that you never know if Dillard's will close. They aren't doing too well, but I do think there are many weaker stores they could close before Columbiana.

[johnpro318]

Lots of information in Shop Around about Columbiana this week:

Things Remembered opens is newly relocated store today. Love Culture will open a new 9,800-square-foot store Wednesday. Also, next week, Spencer’s and Bourbon Street Grill will open their newly remodeled stores. The long-anticipated Sephora will open June 15 in its 5,109-square-foot location. Best Buy Mobile plans to open a 942-square-foot store June 20. Last week, Chick-fil-A opened its newly remodeled store, and Lids opened its relocated and expanded store.

Read more here: http://www.thestate....l#storylink=cpy

http://www.thestate....n-columbia.html

[dusty87]

I'm sorely disappointed that Forever 21 expansion is finished and there still is no men's section as rumored