Tuesday, December 31, 2024

[EXCLUSIVE] Following Ownership Change, Bally Shutters Several Stores Including at Phipps Plaza

Swiss fashion house Bally has closed at Phipps Plaza in Buckhead.  The store closed as of December 28th according to a now former employee of the boutique.  Located in the Nordstrom wing on the mall's first floor, Bally has been in the Atlanta market for over 50 years, according to signage at the store.  

For much of the store's local existence, it was located on the first floor of neighboring Lenox Square before moving to Phipps Plaza in 2008.  No reason was supplied for the store's sudden closure but it was reportedly one of several to shutter in recent days.      

173 year old Bally was sold in August by JAB holding, a private equity firm that counts Krispy Kreme, Panera, Einstein Bros., and Peet's Coffee as current holdings, to Regent, a Beverly Hills-based firm that also owns Escada and in 2021 purchased Club Monaco from Ralph Lauren.  

Less than two months after the acquisition, Bally and CEO Nicolas Girotto parted ways. Girotto, who joined the fashion house in 2015, announced his departure on LinkedIn, saying he is ready for new professional challenges “after an incredible and fulfilling journey” with the Swiss brand.  

Simone Bellotti, a 16-year Gucci veteran, joined Bally as its Creative Director last May.  Bally in September showed at Milan Fashion Week, presenting Belotti's Spring/Summer 2025 collection.  In August, Vogue profiled Belotti's "Punk-Chic" transformation of Bally.  

The Atlanta boutique was reportedly one of several the brand closed this month, with boutiques in South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California, Tysons Galleria in Washington D.C., and on Gansevoort Street in New York City's Meatpacking District the only full-line stores remaining open. 

Bally's outlet store in Orlando's Vineland Premium Outlets is closed permanently, while another at Woodbury Common in Central Valley, New York is reportedly closed temporarily with plans to reopen "in a few weeks," according to a store employee.  A Bally outlet at Citadel Outlets in Los Angeles will also reportedly remain open.    

Are you surprised to see Bally closing so many stores?  What is your favorite designer label?  If you could describe Phipps Plaza with one word, what would it be?

Please share your thoughts below. 

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

We used to like the one at Northlake Festival and on Cobb Parkway by the old Richway. Their pool was so nice and the locker rooms so clean. Didn’t even know they moved to Phipps from Around Lenox!

Anonymous said...

This is the clothing store not the gym/fitness club

Anonymous said...

I used to work out at the one on jimmy carter boulevard. I would also go to north lake festival occasionally. My recollection is LA Fitness bought them out. Guess LA fitness kept the brand and tried to make it upscale by putting it at Phipps .

Anonymous said...

Must be the case! They had some great aerobics classes there in the 80’s.

Anonymous said...

lol... at the people posting about a gym!

Anonymous said...

I used to like to go to the Bally's in Las Vegas, but then it got all run down and there were too many smokers near the slot machines. Then it was converted to Horseshoe Las Vegas. RIP

Anonymous said...

They also had the best treadmills and free weights, and Zoomba! All that is in the past now.

Anonymous said...

How do these high end stores survive? Who is spending $1,100 for a pair of shoes?

Anonymous said...

The one in Atlantic City needs a remodel. Slots are always winning though

Anonymous said...

I like the resort in Atlantic City

Anonymous said...

They used to sell aerobics shoes and tights there but they weren’t $1100.

Anonymous said...

this is a clothing store with no affiliations with the Bally Gym

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