Less Chances to Payless in Georgia

The current Payless logo on top, the classic Payless logo below  

Footwear retailer announces store closures.

Payless ShoeSource, the struggling footwear retailer that recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, announced plans earlier this week to shutter nearly 400 stores.  I have now confirmed that the closures will include five stores in Georgia, including two in metro Atlanta.

Payless plans to close its stores at Northlake Mall in Tucker, Delk Spectrum shopping center in Marietta, Stockbridge Corners in Stockbridge, Savannah Mall in Savannah and Dublin Shopping Center in Dublin. 

The Payless at Northlake Mall is located on the mall's lower level in the Sears wing. A store associate indicated to me that a liquidation sale has begun, with all in-stock merchandise 20-40% off, with plans to increase the discounts as the planned May 31th closure nears. 

Interestingly, Georgia was one the markets least affected by the closure announcement.  Georgia has about about 50 locations and will see four close. California has over 150 locations and 40 store are to close.  

Payless call the stores destined for closure "underperforming," which seems to suggest that overall, Georgia is a good market for the retailer. 

Payless will continue to operate stores in a number of upscale malls and shopping centers including Buckhead Crossing in Buckhead and Perimeter Mall in Dunwoody. 

Payless also has existing Atlanta area stores in Cumberland Mall in Smyrna, Cobb Center in Smyrna, Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth, The Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia, and Camp Creek Marketplace in East Point, among others.  

After the initial round of store closures, Payless will operate about 4,000 stores globally.  

Are you surprised that Payless seems to do so well in Atlanta?  Where do you shop for basic footwear?  What would you like to open in place of the soon to close Payless stores in Georgia?

Please share your thoughts below.