Several stores closing at the Markets at Town Center leave shoppers with fewer options

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Fast fashion retailer Charlotte Russe will close all of its stores, including four in the Jacksonville area.

One of the stores is at the Markets at Town Center, where two other major storefronts are empty.

Partners with the shopping center group said store closings have been a national trend due to some stores filing bankruptcy.

Recently, Toys R Us went out of business, the popular restaurant Black Finn and Best Buy relocated across the street. This week, Charlotte Russe announced its closing leaving another empty space.

Although it's leaving shoppers with fewer options, many people like Donna Smith took advantage of the blowout sales due to them closing.

“My daughter, she asked me to come and get all the size 4 jeans that I could get,” Smith said.

Smith said she blames the many brick and mortar store closings on people finding other ways to shop.

“I guess people shop a lot online these days. They don’t want to take the time to come out and look at everything that’s out there to see,” Smith said.

Stephanie McCullough is a partner with the shopping center group. She said the shopping center continues to thrive and vacancies won’t last forever, but finding the right replacements take time.

“It’s really not an issue of any weakness in the market and we’re actually negotiating on the majority of the vacancies with tenants that would be an upgrade to the tenant mix,” McCullough said.

New stores are something shoppers like Smith are looking forward to.

“Probably more clothing designs for teenagers that I have that would appreciate it,” Smith said.

The old Best Buy is currently being developed. It’s going to be a Sprouts Farmers Market and the first of its kind in Jacksonville. The other vacancies have not been finalized.

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