[ALERT] Belk to Close Metro Atlanta Store After 25 Years in Business

The Belk department store at The Forum Peachtree Corners (5165 Peachtree Parkway) is closing in 2027 after nearly 25 years in business.  The store, which anchors the sprawling 500,000 square foot mixed-use development, opened as part of the project in 2002 and is due to close as of January 15, 2027, according to a company announcement.  

The North Carolina-based retailer did not cite a specific reason for the closure but said it came “after a careful review of our business.”  In advance of the closure, nearly all in stock merchandise will be liquidated at savings of up to 75 per cent off its original price.  

The Belk at The Forum is located on the south end of the development and spans 66,048 square feet, according to leasing materials.  

Developed by Atlanta-based Thomas Enterprises in 2002, The Forum was acquired by North American Properties (NAP) in 2022 and following NAP's 2024 acquisition by Jamestown, is today owned and managed by Jamestown.  In addition to Barnes & Noble, other junior anchors in the center include HomeGoods, Pottery Barn, DSW and Trader Joe's.  

In the years since the acquisition, NAP (now Jamestown) has worked to further amenitize and modernize the property.  This work has involved updating the tenant mixes, adding three "jewel boxes," and increasing the greenspace.  Also part of this work has been what some might call "asset intensification" or in layman's terms, increasing the amount of stuff at the property.  It is this "asset intensification" that leads us to surmise that the "highest and best use" for the Belk parcel may be something other than traditional retail.  

ToNeTo Atlanta was first to report in August 2024 that Barnes & Noble, a tenant in the project since its debut, would move to a smaller space within the development.  The bookseller is currently in the process of closing its existing store to open in a smaller space within the project early next year.  Its current space is expected to be redeveloped into apartments.  

Developed by Atlanta-based Thomas Enterprises in 2002, The Forum was acquired by North American Properties (NAP) in 2022 and following NAP's 2024 acquisition by Jamestown, is today owned and managed by Jamestown.  In addition to Barnes & Noble, other junior anchors in the center include HomeGoods, Pottery Barn, DSW and Trader Joe's.  

Belk, which was acquired by private equity firm Sycamore Partners in 2015, has over the past decade or so closed several stores around metro Atlanta including at Town Center at Cobb in Kennesaw which it shuttered in February 2025.  The retailer previously also closed its stores at North Point Mall in Alpharetta, Gwinnett Place Mall in Duluth and Phipps Plaza in Buckhead.   The company in February 2023 closed its full-line Belk store at Arbor Place Mall in Douglasville and in April 2023 opened an off-price "Belk Outlet" in its place.  

Following the closure at The Forum, Belk will continue to operate several stores in metro Atlanta including those within lifestyle and shopping centers and also in traditional malls.  Remaining Belk stores in metro Atlanta include those in West Cobb, Snellville, Cumming and Buford at the Mall of Georgia.   

Are you surprised to see Belk close at The Forum Peachtree Corners?  What would you most like to see open in its place?  What are your thoughts on the recent and upcoming changes at The Forum Peachtree Corners?

Please share your thoughts below