Women's retailer to shutter at Atlantic Station.
Retailer Ann Taylor plans to shutter its Atlantic Station store tomorrow. The store, located on 18th Street, was one of the project's original tenants and opened in 2005. A store associate indicated that the store is having no "liquidation sale," and is instead transferring merchandise to other local stores.
A cryptic email was reportedly recently sent to Ann Taylor customers encouraging them to shop the chain's Lenox Square store in the future. Although the email did not explicitly state that the Atlantic Station store was closing, I have since independently verified its closure.
LOFT, a division of Ann Taylor owner Ann Inc., also has a store in Atlantic Station that will remain open.
A representative from Atlantic Station provided me the following statement regarding the Ann Taylor closure.
"The departure by Ann Taylor was facilitated by Atlantic Station as part of our overall retail strategy to constantly seek opportunities to improve our guests’ shopping experience. The exit of Ann Taylor will allow the highly popular Z Gallerie to relocate and update their store. Z Gallerie's selection of chic, modern furniture and accessories has attracted shoppers to Atlantic Station since they originally opened, and we are excited they have decided to renew and relocate. The new store, which will be located near West Elm, will provide maximum convenience for our guests seeking home furnishings and décor. Furthermore, this change will serve as a catalyst for new and expanded shopping, dining and entertainment options throughout Atlantic Station."
In recent years, Ann Taylor has also closed stores at Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody and Vinings Jubilee in Vinings.
At least one [former] customer is not pleased about about the retailer's recent Atlanta area store closures.
Following these closures, Ann Taylor's sole intown presence will be at Lenox Square. Ann Taylor also operates stores in the Avenues East and West Cobb, North Point Mall in Alpharetta, Mall of Georgia in Buford, and a "Factory" store at The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta in Woodstock.
In addition to Ann Taylor, bankrupt retailer American Apparel is also expected to close both its Atlantic Station an Little 5 Points stores this weekend. The retailer closed its Atlanta flagship store at The Shops Around Lenox in Buckhead this past December.
Are you an Ann Taylor customer disappointed in their Atlantic Station closure? What would you like to see open at Atlantic Station? Between Atlantic Station, Westside Provisions District and Ponce City Market, where do you do most of your shopping?
Please share your thoughts below.