While shopping destinations like Highland Park Village and West Village continue to thrive with new, designer-driven boutiques and independent shops, the Dallas department store scene has suffered of late. Last fall, Barneys announced it was exiting NorthPark Center in April. Now, Saks Fifth Avenue intends to close its 170,000-square-foot store at Galleria Dallas on June 15.
The new tenant? Charlotte, North Carolina-based Belk, the largest family-owned and -operated department store brand. Belk has more than 300 stores throughout the South, including Dallas-Fort Worth locations in McKinney, Rockwall and Flower Mound.
The new tenant? Belk, which has more than 300 stores throughout the South, including locations in McKinney, Rockwall and Flower Mound.
“We are proud to join the Galleria Dallas’ list of premium retailers, and we look forward to bringing top brands, the best in service and a deep commitment to this community,” said Tim Belk, chairman and CEO and grandson of founder William Henry Belk, in a statement. “Texas has been a very strong market for us, and we see great opportunities for growth in the state.”
Belk president and chief merchandising officer Kathryn Bufano added, “Our merchants made their first buying trip to the Dallas market last year. We were impressed with the vibrancy of the city and the modern Texas style we saw.”
Saks left the Shops at Willow Bend in August 2010 and closed its Austin location at the Arboretum at the end of December. The New York-based retailer will continue to operate its Off 5th outlet stores in Dallas, Grand Prairie and Grapevine.
Construction on the new Belk store will begin in July, and the company expects to welcome its first Galleria customers in spring 2014.
Dallas stiletto queens will have to shop elsewhere for their shoe candy. Saks is leaving Galleria Dallas in June.
