Another blow to the Biltmore Square Mall. Press release here:
As part of Borders Group’s ongoing strategy to right-size its Waldenbooks Specialty Retail segment and emerge with a smaller, more profitable mall chain in fiscal 2010, the retailer will close approximately 200 mall stores in January, leaving approximately 130 mall-based locations open. A list of mall stores expected to close is included in this news release and has been posted at www.borders.com/waldenstorelist.
The list is not final and is subject to change pending finalization of agreements over the coming weeks. Importantly, today’s announcement regarding the mall business does not include Borders superstores or the company’s seasonal mall kiosk business, which includes over 500 Day by Day Calendar Co. units, among other mall-based retail concepts.
Store closing list here.
13 Comments
Screw you guys who want to doze it down, that mall hasn’t been very successful maybe, but it still has a lot of history, it’s still up for a reason, that mall with always have a place in my heart. I hope it stays up to the time I die.
Technically, they are not going to “doze it down”, but they are going to demolish the inner works to eliminate the walking space and expand the stores inward while placing the entrances on the outside. It will become a big “strip mall” of big box and/or discount warehouse stores. This is happening to many malls, as the stores within cannot afford their share of heating, A/C, security and maintenance of the huge walking spaces.
I thought that MA company (or wherever up North) was just going to tear off the roof and turn it into an open-air outlet mall with premium designer labels, like the huge one down in Orlando. Have they backed out now?
Foothills, that’s still the plan. Everybody has to be out by Jan. 31. Everyone except Belk and Dillards, which own the space they’re in. I hear that some folks, like Cinebarre, are negotiating to stay.
Thanks Jason. They should let Cinebarre stay, that’s one of the few places keeping the mall alive. If the developer’s plan is to make it similar to the one on International Drive in Orlando, it’ll be a huge success. You walk inside to get to the shops, but once you’re inside, it’s actually outside with trees, flowers, and fresh air.
So no physical expansion, just replacing indoor walk space with outdoor walk space?
Well, that’s one way to eliminate HVAC costs, I suppose.
I remembered when richard simmons came and performed there back in the 90s.
Been There: That is the smartest solution we have seen yet. Just remember the city would like to be forward thinking but the voters sometimes are not.
I wrote The Citizen-Times this, and I will repeat it.
Doze the mall, put up a Civic Center on the ashes of Biltmore Square Mall.
Interstate access, plenty of support services.
Pull from Hendersonville, Brevard, Saluda and Asheville. Maybe even Greenville.
But that makes too much sense.
I remember going to this mall when it first opened and I remember it being pretty busy sometimes, especially right around Christmas time. I don’t think it ever had all of the store spaces filled though. Seems like there were always a couple down on the end near where Belk’s is now that no one ever rented.
I can’t understand why it never took off. It had a lot of the same stores that the Asheville mall had, but was much easier to get to for a lot of people in the area. For one thing, you didn’t have to navigate the mess that is Tunnel Road.
It’s only a matter of time now, I guess. Everything is deserting the mall, and there’s not really anything left after Waldenbook’s leaves besides a Radio Shack, Hallmark, and Belk’s. How long will it be before they close up shop too?
there is a bookstore in that hole? wow. never knew that
Has nothing to do with mall. Waldenbooks is a microscopic store with minimal inventory. Can’t compete with B&N and BAM. Surprised they lasted as long as they did. Not competitive. Easier to close than fix.
What is the deal with the doomed mall. It has a great location but the slum lords that own it don’t see the big picture. Upscale Upscale Upscale. Yeah Yeah I know you locals can’t relate and hate growth and prosperity but if we get an upscale mall it will provide jobs to all you folk that live locally.
Biltmore Park Town Square has slapped everyone in the face by being choosy about picking tenants and it will pay off and already is.
Biltmore Square Mall has such potential and it’s a shame it allows some of the tenants is does.