Local malls take hit as bankrupt retailer closes dozens of stores in Carolinas

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Multiple malls in the Charlotte region are losing tenants as an apparel giant slashes its store count by more than half.

As reported by national news outlets late last week, New Jersey-based Ascena Retail Group Inc. is the latest in a string of bankruptcies in the industry — and it’s unlikely to be the last.

Ascena operates mall staples such as Anne Taylor, Lane Bryant and Catherine’s for women’s apparel and Justice for girls. Reports last week indicated it will shutter about 1,600 of its 2,800 stores nationwide. Nearly 60 of those locations are scattered across the Carolinas, including 10 in the greater Charlotte region.

Some malls will face multiple vacancies as a result. Charlotte’s Northlake Mall, for instance, is losing a Lane Bryant store as well as a Justice store.

Check out an outline here of closures among Ascena’s brands across the Carolinas and how they will affect retail centers in this area.

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Cox Media Group