Sunday, December 31, 2017

2018 to Bring More Changes to North DeKalb Mall

Wendy's restaurant in the food court at North DeKalb Mall closed for the last time Saturday night, December 30.  The 1,142 square foot restaurant, the last big name chain left in the food court, had been a mall fixture for over 25 years.  The closure follows the closure of the Wendy's in the food court of nearby Northlake Mall a number of years ago.  
North DeKalb Mall's food court is, for lack of a better word, sad, with few options aside from American Deli. 

Other prior restaurant closures in the mall have included Buffalo's Cafe, Applebee's, Subway and Chick-fil-A.   

As we reported earlier this month, a new freestanding Chick-fil-A is expected to open at the end of January on Scott Boulevard.  This new Chick-fil-A will reportedly be in addition to the Drive-Thru only (DTO) location on North Druid Hills Road in front of North DeKalb Mall.  

The next closest Wendy's to North DeKalb Mall is on Scott Boulevard, about two miles away.

In addition to the Wendy's closure, retailer Bath & Body Works is also leaving the mall.  The store is currently in the midst of a regularly scheduled "semi-annual sale" with savings of up to 75% off.  The store, which did receive the chain's updated design scheme a few years ago, is slated to close Saturday January 20.  A store associate indicated that there are no special liquidation sales planned for the 2,377 square foot store ahead of its closure.  Following the closure of the North DeKalb Mall Bath & Body Works, the next closest location will be in Northlake Mall, about four miles away.        
As ToNeTo Atlanta has previously reported, North DeKalb Mall has lost an ever increasing number of chain retailers in the past few years.  

Macy's closed in January 2016, while ROSS Dress For Less and Rack Room Shoes both closed in July 2016.  This past Spring, Play It Again Sports relocated from North DeKalb Mall to North Decatur Plaza at North Decatur and Clairmont Roads.      

Although there has been no movement on site to substantiate our report, sources say that a Costco Wholesale is still in the works for the mall.  The store, which would replace the shuttered Macy's store, is reportedly on track to open no later than March 2020.  The addition of Costco would breathe new life into the mall, and will likely be added as part of a "de-malling" of the mall.  "De-malling" essentially means that the mall would be converted from a largely enclosed mall to a largely open air lifestyle center-like development.  

Burlington Coat Factory, Marshalls and AMC Classic North DeKalb 16 are the center's primary draws and are all believed to be included in whatever redevelopment owner Sterling Organization has planned.  

They say it has to get worse before it gets better, right?

Are you pleased with the changes at North DeKalb Mall?  When was the last time you made a purchase in North DeKalb Mall?  Do you think Costco will open before March 2020, after or not at all?

Please share your thoughts below.  

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I still miss the Macy's at North DeKalb Mall. I used to shop there a lot and also go to Ross. I have not been to the mall since Macy's closed. The Marshall's is nice but not enough to make it a destination for me. Bath and Body Works usually stays to the end at a dead mall. I think Costco will open eventually.

Anonymous said...

Demographics, demographics, demographics would any of you operate a business in a dangerous area???

Anonymous said...

Am I pleased with the changes? No. The last time I made a purchase there was probably 2005. This mall had its heyday when it got remodeled into Market Square in the 80’s and was fully leased. There were plenty of stores to fill the mall then, although most of those chains are out of business now: Rich’s, Lechmere, Mervyns, Kay Bee, Coles Books, Woolworth, Radio Shack, Electronics Boutique, Cindy’s Cinnamon Rolls, Tape World, Camelot Music, Thompson Boland Lee, House of Almonds, Barnie’s Coffee & Tea, Pharmor, Sav On Plants, Kuppenheimer, Circus World, Spinnakers, Bonanza.

Anonymous said...

Used to hang out there in the mid/late 80s. If I recall, the food options were always limited there.

Susan H. said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Demographics, demographics, demographics would any of you operate a business in a dangerous area???


Dangerous area? If this were a dangerous area, then everything else surrounding the mall would also be closed. That is not the case. Indeed, the revitalization of the Suburban Plaza area is making its way down Scott Blvd. toward the mall. We have known for sometime that in preparation for new development, the mall is currently offering month-to-month leases. It may take a while for the all the permitting to go through, but all signs are pointing to a major renovation of the mall. When that happens, all stores will likely have to leave. This is no surprise.

Anonymous said...

Demographics.. demographics.. demographics. What are you implying?

If there is one thing that I've learned about the real world of today is that it's not as safe as it used to be and it doesn't matter where you live, there is no such thing as a
" safe " place anymore.

North DeKalb consist of a lot of elderly / middle aged residences with some sprinkling of non Whites living there. Far as North DeKalb Mall? It's almost empty. While crime can take place in the worst/ best areas,I've never understood why people are more scared of places like them than places like..let's say Northpoint,Lenox,The Forum or Perimeter...shopping venues catering to people with stereotypical upper crust tastes? I don't know about you but I would be more scared of those shopping meccas than North DeKalb Mall. After all, they have a lot of valuable stuff in them.

While,I rarely hear about anything going on at North Dekalb Mall,you sure hear about a lot of robberies at places like Lenox.

Unknown said...

No. 1, I don't think this area is so dangerous. (Have you been to the Edgewood mall? Amazing open air mall, somewhat dangerous area). I am sad Macy's left NDM, glad it appears Marshall's and the movie theater are staying, and over the moon about the possibility of a Costco coming in. Hopefully before March 2020.

Anonymous said...

Is that a trick question?? How could anybody be pleased with the changes at NDK Mall in the last 5-10 years?? I've seen the demographics info for the area, and the average income base will support good, high-end retailers. Why the Mall has been allowed to deteriorate is a total mystery, makes no financial sense that I can figure. Maybe the owner is just using it for a tax write-off.

Anonymous said...

We just went to see Star Wars at North DeKalb and it was a very sad mall. Not even a Christmas tree this year. Well, we didn't wander through the mall but the usual big one by the food court was not there.

Dangerous area? Huh? What danger? No reports of gang activity, no reports of car breakins, or robberies that I've heard of. No one with money or jewelry or fancy cars seems to shop there or go to the (extremely affordable) movies even. The theatre was packing folks in the night we went - the parking lot was full on both sides of that end of the mall.

It's kinda scary in a The Shining sort of way. Echoing through once packed hallways - creepy! But not dangerous.

It's not been the same since Macy's took over Rich's. A slow death spiral

Anonymous said...

...this is N. DeKalb Mall, little crime around there, you must be confused with S. DeKalb Mall that reflects it's residents and crime rates....

Unknown said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Demographics, demographics, demographics would any of you operate a business in a dangerous area???


Dangerous area? Huh? Check out the Zillow prices on the surrounding neighborhoods. Check out the crime rate in Laurel Ridge Elem and Druid Hills Middle.Talk to neighbors walking the sidewalks at all times of the day. Check out CrimeMapping dot com. Get some facts first. Try to navigate the roads during business hours The mall itself is sad but far from dangerous. And if it's still dangerous to you, do us all a favor and stay away.

Anonymous said...

Tax write off? Yes. Is that the owners goal? No. That's like saying I'd rather make $50,000 per year instead of $100,000 per year because I'd pay less taxes if I make $50,000 per year. If the mall makes money, the owner makes money.

Anonymous said...

Has the Wendy's been there for 25 years? I seem to remember a Cupim's Potato Bread burger joint in that space.

Anonymous said...

Dangerous? Dude no. Put the Kleenex boxes back on your feet and turn off the computer.

Anonymous said...

That was a long time ago and I now realize how old I am. Very old.

Anonymous said...

When you are offended by a word such as "demographics" ... then you are likely part of that demographic that is causing the decay in the area. Statistics can be manipulated. HRC by a landslide.

Anonymous said...

No. Its not dangerouse....it is a mix of low and middle class but not dangerous at all.... and I think more people will come if it is redone. I hope they don't close leapin lizards though my kids love it

Anonymous said...

Traditional malls are going the way of the dinosaurs. For anyone to think that North DeKalb has any future as a mall isn't living in reality. This is going to require a major re-envisioning of the property and what the new retail landscape/demographics will allow.

KER said...

Always loved the movie theater at N. Dekalb! Not sure about those complaints about the area, pretty normal, working class area, never had a single problem...

Anonymous said...

Hopefully their crews patrol better than GP where a (deceased) body was found in the abandoned food court. Demographics - most definitely

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