Thursday, August 18, 2011

Update: H&M inching closer to Charlotte

Swedish fast-fashion retailer H&M isn't moving in to Charlotte yet, but it is marching west across the state, with the recent announcement of a new store planned in Winston-Salem.

The new store, as reported here, will be opening in November at Hanes Mall. The store is planned to be 20,000 square feet, with its own entrance and a grand staircase.

There is only one other H&M in North Carolina is in Raleigh, so the Winston-Salem store does cut the distance between Charlotte and the nearest H&M more than in half. In January, H&M officials said the retailer doesn't have plans to open in Charlotte this year.

But with H&M opening its second N.C. store in much smaller Winston-Salem, it begs the question of when the retailer will enter the Charlotte market. Could the emptying of existing Borders bookstore locations as going-out-of-business sales wind down give H&M the opportunity it needs (they average 24,800 square feet)?

The Container Store, another retailer with a strong fan following, moved into Joseph Beth's old SouthPark location after that store closed. For now, H&M fans will just have to keep hoping. (And thanks to an astute reader for the tip on this)

21 comments:

  1. What about the old Home Depot design center? Right next to uptown and oodles of young professionals!

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  2. The only people who shop at H&M are 14-year old girls, 19-year repressed gay boys, and middle-aged fat women who think they are 14-year old girls.

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    Replies
    1. Why does eveybody hate on charlotte. I think it is a wonderful city

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  3. Well, I'm glad we got two comments in before things turned nasty. That's one further than we get most of the time.

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  4. I'd love an H&M in Charlotte but will certainly check out the one in WS. Thanks for the heads up.

    Contrary to the belief of some, H&M can be a great resource for almost all ages. I've picked up some great accessory pieces there-hats, light weight and stylish coats (great for our springs and falls), scarves, gloves and some very cute clothes. H&M is not AF or any of those other younger trending stores, it really can offer something age appropriate for most anyone. How one defines that is up to their fashion sense.

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  5. I'm glad it's coming closer to Charlotte, but it's weird to think it would open in W-S before here. Anyway I can't wait, now I don't have to wait for a trip to Raleigh or Atlanta to go shop.

    Signed
    Not 14
    Not a gay boy
    Not a middle-aged overweight woman.
    anon 4:51 try again.

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  6. YES- Bring H&M to Borders locations, one in Stonecrest, Morrocroft and Northlake, that will be perfect.

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  7. Oh man, the H&M fans in Charlotte have to be beside themselves on this one, that little old Winston-Salem got one before the world class city of Charlotte. Hehe.

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  8. Yahoo, my tip made its way into the observer webpage!

    :-)

    -A DESPERATE shopper in Hickory

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  9. H&M is so ignoorant. Don't they realize Charlotte is home to international companies. I bet Winston-salem doesn't even have an international research university.

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  10. Wake Forest University...

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  11. H&M should have gone to the old Joseph-Beth location and The Container Store to the old Borders near SouthPark. That would have made so much more sense!

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  12. Good, Charlotte is an over rated city and will soon be in the toilet, much like Detroit. Obviously, the HM location analysts know this as well.

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  13. Anonymous @9:40pm - Don't let the door hit you on the way out. Loser.

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  14. "I'm glad it's coming closer to Charlotte, but it's weird to think it would open in W-S before here. Anyway I can't wait, now I don't have to wait for a trip to Raleigh or Atlanta to go shop.

    Signed
    Not 14
    Not a gay boy
    Not a middle-aged overweight woman.
    anon 4:51 try again."

    Those were pretty basic generalizations. I could have included the 33-year old woman from Gastonia with the classy lower back tat and several different hair colors. Closer?

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  15. Agree anon940, This city is so overrated, but I want my H&M!

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  16. "The only people who shop at H&M are 14-year old girls, 19-year repressed gay boys, and middle-aged fat women who think they are 14-year old girls."

    Sound more like American Eagle, Hollister, etc. than H&M.

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  17. @10:11
    How does that kool-aid taste?

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  18. What's the timeline on the Jamba Juice opening in the Corporate Center section of the overstreet mall?

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  19. I am 27 year old female who's aspiring for a duel graduate degree living near downtown... so yeah your stereotyping is off 100%...

    H&M in my opinion will help Charlotte dress better... God how many people I see here dress horrible because of the existing stores here are so generic! This is coming from a former Chicagoan who is years ahead of fashion...

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  20. Bring h N m to CLT!!!!!! The end. Former Dallas Texan moved to CLT out...

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