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Belk at Phipps Plaza will close next year, ceasing operations at what it once called its high-end flagship store.
The Charlotte, North Carolina-based department store confirmed Monday afternoon that it intends to shutter its Buckhead store in 2018. The retailer informed its associates today of the plans.
“We do not have a specific date, but we expect it to close sometime next summer,” Belk spokesman Andy Izquierdo said in a statement. Belk leased its anchor space at the more-than-800K SF Phipps Plaza mall, which is owned by Simon Property Group, Izquierdo said. He did not know what plans Simon has to replace Belk.
"That said, we continue to have a strong presence in the area with 20 stores in the Atlanta metro area," Izquierdo said.
The news comes as Simon Property is expected to make a major announcement Tuesday about Phipps Plaza, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports. It is unclear as of press time whether the announcement concerns the fate of Belk.
A spokesperson for Brave Public Relations, which is coordinating the press event, only confirmed plans for an announcement Tuesday morning at Phipps Plaza. The spokesperson did not disclose what parties would be involved.
Belk purchased Parisian department stores in 2006 and rebranded its chain into Belk, including its Phipps Plaza store, which the retailer called its high-end flagship location.
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