Shop Talk: Buying into Grand Strand retail

Chain's bankruptcy doesn't immediately affect local store

It's business as usual at the Eddie Bauer Outlet Store in Myrtle Beach despite the company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing this week.

For now, all the Eddie Bauer stores, including the outlet stores, are operating, but officials will be determining which - if any - stores will close as the company restructures, said Diana Postemsky, an Eddie Bauer spokeswoman. A decision about the stores could come in the next 60 days, she said.

``The company will be reviewing its store portfolio,'' Postemsky said. ``None of those determinations have been made.''

CCMP Capital Advisors LLC has bid $202 million in cash for the company's assets. Other buyers may also make bids while the company is under court protection. 

Bellevue, Wash.-based Eddie Bauer, known for its outdoorsy wear, said in a statement Wednesday that CCMP has agreed to keep the majority of its 371 stores open, honor gift cards and hold onto most employees.

The Grand Strand has one Eddie Bauer store, in the Tanger Outlets off U.S. 501.

``Right now they are all open and serving customers,'' Postemsky said. ``Customers really should experience no difference as they shop.''

Eddie Bauer, founded in 1920 in Seattle, joins Circuit City, Linens 'N Things, Mervyns and other retail chains that have filed for bankruptcy court protection as consumer spending fell and the recession continued. 

Tanger renovations almost done

The Tanger Outlets center on U.S. 501 is wrapping up a yearlong, roughly $20 million renovation that has given the complex a new look.

Work should be done by Nov. 15 -- in time for the busy holiday shopping season, said Guy Ramsey, construction manager with Tanger Outlets.

The changes were mostly aesthetic and geared toward creating a small-town feel, according to company officials. They upgraded the storefronts and landscaping, and added Victorian accents, cupolas, clock towers, street lamps and brick cross walks. Two new roads run through the center, but they're not open to traffic yet.

"If you drive by here at night, it's a whole different complex'' because of the new lighting, Ramsey said.

Shopper Debbie Farrar said she especially likes the greenery that runs through the center. Farrar is from Danville, Va., but has a home in Garden City Beach and has shopped at the center since it opened. She didn't go there over the summer, however, because of the construction, she said.

Now that crews are almost done, she's back.

"It's going to look nice, I think, once they're finished,'' she said.

Workshop Tools almost ready

Crews are putting the finishing touches on a new shopping center where people will be able to find tools, cookware and outdoor gear all in one place.

The Workshop Tools  shopping center on U.S. 501 across from the Tanger Outlet Center is nearing completion, and one store is already open.

The roughly 35,000-square-foot shopping center has space for six shops, and leasing agent Pete Bine said three tenants are on board:  the center's namesake Workshop Tools, a Lodge Cast Iron cookware store and a Coleman camping gear outlet store.

Coleman spokesman Bryan Cavanaugh declined to say whether a lease has been signed for that location, just that "we are pursuing opening a Coleman Factory Outlet store in Myrtle Beach."

J. Crew in, Geoffrey Beene out at Tanger

A J. Crew store is scheduled to open at the Tanger Outlet Center on U.S. 17 in late November, according to the shopping center's tenant services manager Nicole Tolbert.

The Geoffrey Beene store there will also likely see some changes, as its parent company, Phillips-Van Heusen Corp., has said it will not renew agreements to operate any of its Geoffrey Beene stores.

The retail chain was expected to be liquidated by the end of 2008, a company announcement said. Of 100 stores, 75 are to close and 25 will be converted into Calvin Klein outlet stores, a brand Phillips-Van Heusen ns.

Big turnout for sales tax holiday

The recent sales tax holiday was a big hit among shoppers, according to officials at some of the local shopping centers.

Several said they saw an uptick in traffic and sales over last year, which they attributed to deep discounts retailers offered and the need for many consumers to save a few bucks.

The annual tax-free days held every August gives consumers a chance to dodge state and local taxes on
certain school-related items.

At Coastal Grand Mall, shoppers turned out in full force to stock up on back-to-school clothes, especially basics such as t-shirts and jeans, said mall marketing director Deb Bramlett. Retailers there said sales increased up to 15 percent over last year.

"I think everybody is looking to save money where they can,'' Bramlett said.

More retailers on tap for Tanger

New stores have opened at local Tanger Outlet Centers, and more are on the way, according to company spokeswoman Nicole Tolbert.

Tango Bay recently opened at the center on U.S. 501 and sells clothes, accessories and shoes.

At the U.S. 17 center, The Foxworthy Store, Yankee Candle and a Disney Outlet Store have set up shop.

Other stores coming this summer: Love from the Carolinas will open at the U.S. 501 complex, and Under Armour Outlet, Gymboree, Ann Taylor Loft Outlet and Bijoux Terner are slated to open at the U.S. 17 complex.

Also, crews are making progress on the $20 million renovation project at the U.S. 501 center. They're building steel towers over 23 stores, and two stores will get large clock towers. There will also be five new circular fountains and two new roads, according to Tolbert.

Stores are open for business as usual during the renovations.

Variety 4 Less, ECCO open at Tanger

Tanger Outlets have some new offerings, especially for shoe and accessory shoppers.

Shoe stores Variety 4 Less and ECCO both opened within the past few weeks at the factory shopping center on U.S. 501.

Variety 4 Less moved from Myrtle Beach Mall, formerly known as Colonial Mall-Myrtle Beach, and has one other location on Seaboard Street. The store specializes in footwear, but also has some purses, bags and T-shirts, said manager Iris Lipcsee.

The new ECCO store is a temporary location, said supervisor Shakima Steward. It will be there until at least October, but sales over the summer will determine whether it will stay open longer, she said.

The shoe retailer, founded 40 years ago in Denmark, sells dress, casual, and golf footwear for men, women and children. It has one other local store in the other Tanger Outlets center on U.S. 17.

The Coach Factory store in the U.S. 17 also recently moved and expanded in the former Mikasa store location near the food court. The Jacksonville, Fla.-based retailer sells handbags, wallets, and travel and business accessories. Its other Grand Strand store is in the Tanger Outlets on U.S. 501.