|  |  | Banana Republic Coming to BlakeneyCharlotte, N.C., December 14, 2006 – National retailer Banana Republic is among a group of national specialty stores coming to Blakeney, Crosland’s new retail hot spot in Charlotte. Blakeney joins SouthPark Mall as the only Charlotte destinations south of Interstate 85 with a Banana Republic. Traditionally found in upscale malls, Banana Republic will now have two stores in open-air shopping centers within greater Charlotte – at Birkdale Village and at Blakeney, both of which are Crosland developments.
Looby Loo, Sweet & Sassy and the My Gym will also join the shopping center as part of The Village Shops at Blakeney, a pedestrian-oriented core of shops and distinctive restaurants within Blakeney’s retail quadrant at Rea and Ardrey Kell roads. Characterized by wide walkways, decorative street lighting and fountains, The Village Shops at Blakeney will be anchored by the area’s largest Banana Republic at one end and a two-acre Village Green at the other, with a variety of shopping and dining venues in between.
“Blakeney is unique to south Charlotte in that it provides several distinct shopping experiences within one location,” said Ryan Preston, director of leasing for Crosland. “With Banana Republic leading the Lifestyle tenant mix, customers will have upscale fashion shopping that is both convenient and family-friendly.”
Blakeney’s Village Green is already a popular suburban draw for families who enjoy the playground, expansive lawn, and leaping-arc water fountain, all surrounded by open-air dining options. Frequent live entertainment complements the experience, with events geared toward children during the day and live musical acts in the evening, similar to the highly successful formula that Crosland established at Birkdale Village and StoneCrest.
The dining options at The Village Shops include Brixx, 131 Main, Sugar Magnolia, Encore Café, Five Guys Famous Burgers & Fries, Cold Stone Creamery, Salad Creations and Starbucks, all of which offer outdoor dining and are already open. National apparel retailers Coldwater Creek and White House/Black Market opened in November. Banana Republic is expected to open in mid-March, along with most of the other boutique shops.
“The caliber of retail offerings at Blakeney reflects the outstanding demographics of this quickly growing area of the city,” added Preston. “Crosland’s neighborhood, apartment and office components at Blakeney have been highly successful, and our ability to bring all of that together cohesively is what makes Blakeney much more attractive than other options nearby.”
Banana Republic (9,265 square feet) is known for casual luxury, with a broad range of high-quality apparel for men and women, and sophisticated collections of accessories, shoes, personal care products, intimate apparel and gifts for the home. Exceptional quality, luxury fabrics and refined tailoring define Banana Republic’s signature style, with new choices every season.
Moving from its former location on East Boulevard in Dilworth, Looby Loo (1,200 square feet) will maintain its successful birth-through-preschool core product range, with a continued emphasis on colorful children’s clothing, heirloom wooden toys and unique gift items, including books and children’s music.
Opening its first Carolinas location at Blakeney, Sweet & Sassy (3,765 square feet) will cater to girls through age 12 and boys through age 6. Sweet & Sassy is a cutting-edge children’s salon, trend-setting retail store and a unique location for birthday events. Customers will enjoy top-quality services including haircuts, mini-manicures, mini-pedicures, ear piercing, spa and glam girl packages, and a selection of five signature birthday parties.
Also coming to Blakeney is the My Gym (2,566 square feet), the highest ranking fitness center for children worldwide. My Gym will offer innovative, early physical education/pre-gymnastics classes with state-of-the-art facilities to empower children ages 3 months through 13 years, by helping them acquire the skills, confidence and positive self-image needed to become healthy young adults.
My Gym’s award-winning, structured, noncompetitive and age-appropriate classes will enhance children’s overall physical development through games, music, exercise, sports, gymnastics, puppets, special rides and more.
Outside of the Village Shops, Weichert Realtors (1,657 square feet) has also committed to opening an office at Blakeney, in addition to their current office located at SouthPark.
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