Asheville News

What’s going on at Biltmore Square Mall?

Jason Sandford January 2, 2009

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Anybody know what’s going down at Biltmore Square Mall? Ashvegas is receiving tips that some kind of “big announcement” is coming in the next week or two.

Here’s what we know so far:

– The Biltmore Square Mall has struggled since its 1989 opening to be regarded as a top-notch shopping destination in Asheville.

– In November 2006, Symphony Property Group and two local investment groups, who collectively called themselves Biltmore Eight LLC, purchased the shopping center for $20 million. The retail property includes $500,000 square feet.

– In February 2007, Steve & Barry’s department store opened at Biltmore Square and was touted as a top new tenant that would help revitalize the ailing mall.

– In the summer of 2007, the Cinebarre movie theater, which combined newly released movies with a full service menu that included beer, opened at the Biltmore Square Mall. Cinebarre has been widely regarded as a success.

-In November, Steve & Barry’s announced it would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company said its Biltmore Square Mall store would remain open.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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11 Comments

movies January 4, 2009

I am thinking the news will not be that great. This is coupled with the fact that the new Regal 15 just got their beer/wine license. Seems suspicious that the same company that bankrolls Cinebarre would start selling alcohol just an exit down. They are poaching their demographic.

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Frank Merenda January 3, 2009

Steve and Barry’s is closing for sure. My wife was working there temporarily helping them during christmas. They are in the process of packing up all the rest of the inventory now in order to close the store….

-Frank

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Dean January 3, 2009

Every notice how many cars Toyota and Nissan park in the parking lot there?

Remove them, the place would look like the Zombie Mall it’s always been.

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Chad Nesbitt January 3, 2009

It would be nice if the county bought it and put all departments there. They could even put a branch of the court house there for traffic violations, misdemenors, (I know I misspelled that), etc. Just think, all kinds of parking and easy in and out.

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eemilla January 3, 2009

I have also heard the outlet mall rumor, but I first heard it sometime in 2006. The Dillard’s location there is already a clearance center.

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lena January 2, 2009

they are def. closing.everything is 50-70% off, even fixtures. you can get tees for $2. madness!

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What are you looking at? January 2, 2009

I can see it now. It is going to be the Biltmore Flea Market and Bazar. Do you really think that it will be done right? Only if it is done like the one in Commerce, Georgiia will it survive.

I sure hope so we have enough half arse businesses around here that open and close all the time because of some yocal thinking he can run a business.

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anon January 2, 2009

I have heard they might try to turn it into an outlet type mall.

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firelady January 2, 2009

I’ve heard the mall owners are going to attempt to turn it into an outlet mall, end-destination kind of place. I heard this a couple of months ago, so I’m not certain this is the same "big news" story.

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Ash January 2, 2009

Dang. last story in the C-T said they were staying open.

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AVL January 2, 2009

Steve and Barry’s is closing Jan 15th

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