Belk, Eastland Mall, Charlotte, North Carolina. Central Avenue facade during Store Closing Sale, 12/30/06. (Pat Richardson)
Belk, Eastland Mall, Charlotte, North Carolina. Upper level mall entrance during Store Closing Sale, 12/30/06. (Pat Richardson)
Belk, Eastland Mall, Charlotte, North Carolina. Costume Jewelry department during Store Closing Sale, 12/30/06. (Pat Richardson)
Belk, Eastland Mall, Charlotte, North Carolina. Lower level mall entrance during Store Closing Sale, 12/30/06. (Pat Richardson)
Belk, Eastland Mall, Charlotte, North Carolina. Lower level looking toward mall entrance during Store Closing Sale, 12/30/06. (Pat Richardson)
Belk, Eastland Mall, Charlotte, North Carolina. Rear parking deck entrance on lower level during Store Closing Sale, 12/30/06. (Pat Richardson)Previously on LiveMalls
Belk, Eastland Mall
Thanks for posting these pictures. I find the closing of the Belk-Eastland store to be somewhat bittersweet. Even though Eastland has fallen on hard times, it was the mall I grew up at and so I will always have fond memories. Belk's closing will certainly impact any vitality Eastland might have had left (the Dillards is already down to just one floor). It's a shame--when Eastland opened in 1975 it was a spectacle unlike any other in Charlotte (two stories, ice skating rink, the food court). Of course in the mid-70's the east side was also flourishing and vibrant. Also unique is Belk closing a store (not including the numerous closings of all their small downtown stores over the years). Other than the Belk store that was closed in Greensboro, I can't remember any others that were closed for this reason. There are plans underway for a new mall on the outer-edge of the eastside (near the belt road-in MInt Hill)-Belk has already committed to having a store there--I'm sure this aided in the decision to close this store.
ReplyDeleteI've never been there in my entire life, but it sure looks weird to see a Belk close. Heck, I surprisingly don't even remember when the Belk at Carolina Circle Mall closed. Happy new year by the way. :-)
ReplyDeletePat: The closing is pretty sad for me, too. I still believe the store could have been saved. It still is a good location, and people still shop there, despite the questionable merchandise choices (at times).
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started going there a few years ago, it was still a typical Belk with all the bells and whistles. Over the years it didn't fall apart like Belk Carolina Circle did; it just started shrinking until the lower level was irrelevant.
If the Mint Hill store gets built, people will pretty much disregard Belk Eastland, but it should remebeed for being a great store overall.
Billy: Happy New Year to you, too :-)
I can undaerstand how you could miss Belk Carolina Circle's closing. The store had whittled down to practically nothing and I don't think they even had a closing sale. It just disappeared.
I wonder what becomes of the store fixtures and exterior signage. I would love to the Belk sign or a piece of it affixed to the back of my house. Yeah, I know, it does sound somewhat trashy! :)
ReplyDeleteSome of the fixtures that can't be sent to other stores to be reused will be auctioned, while the signs will likely be trashed when removed.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can find out what sign company they're using and bring home a big B. :-)
I always have wanted a big B.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind one myself. I'd settle for an 'elk' though :-)
ReplyDeleteNow taking a piece of the sign home would be awesome!!! I'm glad I'm not the only one who would want to do that! :)
ReplyDeleteDid Belk say why they are closing this store?
Scott
They say it's because of sliding sales, but they've been trying to get away from that neighborhood for a while.
ReplyDeleteThe areas around the mall tend to be filled with lower-income minorities, and the mall is in a rapidly fading shopping district off the major highways.
I have a green Proffitt's sign from their Knoxville store after the conversion to Belk. Belk sells their discarded signs to the company that makes their new signs. I bought mine from the sign company, they'll sell it to you for what the materials will be worth to them melted down.
ReplyDeleteI'd guess that the Eastland signs, especially the inside signs will be re-used, seeing as how Belk will be needing plenty of signs in the next few months as the Parisian changeover occurs.
I'll have to pass that information on to cantnot :-)
ReplyDeletemakes sense! thanks brian
ReplyDelete