Brooks Brothers permanently closes, but other stores joining Durham’s Southpoint mall
After months of dormancy, Durham’s Brooks Brothers franchise at the Streets at Southpoint mall has permanently closed. It joins a growing list of bygone locations as the 204-year-old clothier reels from ongoing pandemic setbacks.
Brooks Brothers has pivoted in the last year to accommodate COVID-era casual wear as at-home workers drift from traditional business clothes. But its in-person retail model is faltering.
The estimable suit-maker that clothed American presidents suffered a critical blow in the pandemic’s early months. In the summer of 2020, dwindling revenue forced the company into bankruptcy.
Brooks Brothers made nearly $1 billion in 2019 sales. After bankruptcy, it sold for $325 million to Simon Property Group and Authentic Brands Group who committed to preserving 125 of the company’s 424 stores. More than 50 retail locations around the world have closed so far, including Durham’s.
Southpoint representatives said the mall has not secured a new tenant for Brooks Brothers’ prominent storefront. But the shopping center’s retail options are expanding.
“In the past 60 days alone, the region’s first Warby Parker opened their doors, Offline by Aerie expanded into a new space, and Peloton moved from a common-area kiosk to an in-line store,” said Rachel Wille, senior public relations and social media specialist for Brookfield Properties, which represents Southpoint.
Amazon 4-star will soon open a Southpoint location featuring curated items popular among the Triangle’s online shoppers. Women’s clothing stores Dolce & Diva, Edge and Evereve; the jewelry store Edge; and Sake Japan restaurant are also coming soon, plus “a few new-to-market brands that we can’t share just yet,” Wille said.
“This is an exciting time for The Streets at Southpoint,” she added, “and we look forward to continuing this momentum into 2022.”
This story was originally published February 16, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
