Raleigh shoppers 'disappointed' Saks Fifth Avenue closing, leaders talk retail
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Raleigh continues to attract big-name entities. An Omni Hotel is being built at the end of Fayetteville Street, but just nine miles north, the luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue is pulling the plug in the City of Oaks.
Shoppers say the closure is a blow for the Raleigh area.
"I think it's sad," said Raleigh resident Amy Martinez.
"I'm disappointed because this area, we really don't have any upscale stores," said Wake Forest resident Chaney Hawthorne.
She said she travels to Washington, D.C., or New York City to get certain luxury items.
"You don't want to go all the way out of town to get certain stuff. You want to stay in the area locally," said Hawthorne.
Visit Raleigh said it's not instrumental in luring retailers here but is invested in their success and will market for them, as the shopping experience is a big part of tourism.
"Last year we had 19 million visitors - 34% of those visitors shopped," said Denny Edwards, president and CEO of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (GRCVB).
"Raleigh's economic success and the demand for vibrant, walkable retail go hand-in-hand," said Raleigh Economic Development Director Kyle Touchstone. "We're seeing examples of that all across the city, especially in our desirable mixed-use districts. Ralliant is a publicly-traded company who just established their global headquarters in the main district of North Hills. Raleigh Iron Works is home to Swiss luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet's North American Service Center. BuildOps opened its East Coast hub in The Creamery at Glenwood South. A diverse business environment with thriving retail and hospitality sectors is important to the quality of life that makes Raleigh a smart move for corporate operators and decision-makers."
Saks said in a statement that the decision to close was based on several factors, including store performance and customer preferences.
Martinez said her dad used to work at Saks. She is among those shifting their spending habits. She goes to mixed-use spaces or spends money online.
"I don't really necessarily go to the mall anymore," said Martinez. "It's kind of empty there. There's nothing really much there anymore, so it's not like something you're excited to go to anymore."
Macy's is also closing at Triangle Town Center and is liquidating its inventory.
ABC11 reached out to the mall and inquired about the next steps for the spaces but has not heard back.
Doors at Saks are expected to shutter in May, and employees at Macy's said the department store will close at the end of April.
