Speaking of Belk in Roosevelt Square...that store is in DIRE need of a renovation. It's an embarrassment to the chain.
That Belk is an "outlet" store which may be the reason that it is not a "spiffy" as the regular retail outlets.
That Belk is an "outlet" store which may be the reason that it is not a "spiffy" as the regular retail outlets.
Actually, that store is not an outlet, but does need some serious attention. I think someone said landlord disputes have made it difficult to invest any real money in there.
Quote from: jrwjax on September 27, 2013, 12:47:21 PM
That Belk is an "outlet" store which may be the reason that it is not a "spiffy" as the regular retail outlets.
Actually, that store is not an outlet, but does need some serious attention. I think someone said landlord disputes have made it difficult to invest any real money in there.
Hmmm, you sure? Been shopping there for years and they have themselves called it an outlet. Perhaps something changed that I missed?
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on September 27, 2013, 12:51:39 PM
Quote from: jrwjax on September 27, 2013, 12:47:21 PM
That Belk is an "outlet" store which may be the reason that it is not a "spiffy" as the regular retail outlets.
Actually, that store is not an outlet, but does need some serious attention. I think someone said landlord disputes have made it difficult to invest any real money in there.
Hmmm, you sure? Been shopping there for years and they have themselves called it an outlet. Perhaps something changed that I missed?
Outlet or not, it's a dump. ;)
The Belk store on Roosevelt is not an outlet.. I called it an outlet in the store once and was told by staff that is most certainly not an outlet
Of coarse I'm sure the Internet "Know it alls" on here know better. If they write it it must be true.
Quote from: Stephen on September 27, 2013, 03:08:46 PM
Of coarse I'm sure the Internet "Know it alls" on here know better. If they write it it must be true.
Seriously Stephen? Pretty petty response to an honest question about the whether on not a store is an outlet or not. You could have simply said I called the store and it's not an outlet. Simple, mature response. The post I made asked "are you sure" and whether or not the "status" had changed and was no statement of fact. How that translates to know it all is hard to fathom. Perhaps you mistake mature discussion for "knowing it all", there is a difference.
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on September 27, 2013, 12:51:39 PM
Quote from: jrwjax on September 27, 2013, 12:47:21 PM
That Belk is an "outlet" store which may be the reason that it is not a "spiffy" as the regular retail outlets.
Actually, that store is not an outlet, but does need some serious attention. I think someone said landlord disputes have made it difficult to invest any real money in there.
Hmmm, you sure? Been shopping there for years and they have themselves called it an outlet. Perhaps something changed that I missed?
Diane I worked there in 1998 and it was not an outlet. The Roosevelt store is their only local store that's never had a complete makeover. A lot of the interior is a hold over from May Cohen. The home department and Men's area were added on after the mall was torn down. I think the reason it appears to be an outlet is the fact it doesn't have hardly any higher end merchandise. It's a kind of second (or even third tier) store for them, but a least when I worked there it was a profitable store. I personally think the Regency store is by far their best looking store inside and out but as of late they have been shutting down most of the second floor. In the last few months they moved all of home goods onto the first floor and it looks horrible. The second floor was designed for the home area and everything fit correctly but the area where home is now was designed for clothing and it's junkie and wrong. Typical department store thinking.
Quote from: avonjax on September 27, 2013, 10:28:20 PM
I personally think the Regency store is by far their best looking store inside and out but as of late they have been shutting down most of the second floor. In the last few months they moved all of home goods onto the first floor and it looks horrible. The second floor was designed for the home area and everything fit correctly but the area where home is now was designed for clothing and it's junkie and wrong. Typical department store thinking.
Sounds like a repeat of the final days of the large downtown department stores like May Cohens and Iveys! The Regency Belk was expanded to 147,000 square feet by May Cohen when the mall was expanded in the early 80s. The property appraiser shows it as being 195,000 square feet now. It appears, Belk doesn't need or want to maintain that much space in an aging building. Given their location, if they go, that's it for Regency, IMO.
Quote from: avonjax on September 27, 2013, 10:28:20 PM
Quote from: Cheshire Cat on September 27, 2013, 12:51:39 PM
Quote from: jrwjax on September 27, 2013, 12:47:21 PM
That Belk is an "outlet" store which may be the reason that it is not a "spiffy" as the regular retail outlets.
Actually, that store is not an outlet, but does need some serious attention. I think someone said landlord disputes have made it difficult to invest any real money in there.
Hmmm, you sure? Been shopping there for years and they have themselves called it an outlet. Perhaps something changed that I missed?
Diane I worked there in 1998 and it was not an outlet. The Roosevelt store is their only local store that's never had a complete makeover. A lot of the interior is a hold over from May Cohen. The home department and Men's area were added on after the mall was torn down. I think the reason it appears to be an outlet is the fact it doesn't have hardly any higher end merchandise. It's a kind of second (or even third tier) store for them, but a least when I worked there it was a profitable store. I personally think the Regency store is by far their best looking store inside and out but as of late they have been shutting down most of the second floor. In the last few months they moved all of home goods onto the first floor and it looks horrible. The second floor was designed for the home area and everything fit correctly but the area where home is now was designed for clothing and it's junkie and wrong. Typical department store thinking.
Thanks Avonjax. I and others I know thought it was an outlet. I was mistaken. Perhaps it was the lack luster appearance of the store that drew that conclusion. Thank you for the polite and informative response. :)
What's wrong with the Roosevelt Belk's? Especially bad enough to call it a dump?
I go there all the time they usually have whatever I'm looking for and the staff are friendly.
Spoke to the store manager who held court with a few staff members as plain clothes loss prevention specialists roved peripheral areas. Among recent and upcoming enhancements to the Roosevelt location inside and out include and are not limited to painting, long life roofing membrane, reorganization and streamlining merchandised showcases, supporting higher end displays, and -my favorite- relocating the men's fragrances and including a much higher end selection, in the Men section.
Traffic is good, sales are very strong in three apparel areas, women's separates are top.
Home section may compete better if relocated and grew slightly.
This location can easily compete with SJTC, AND hold its own.
The multitone color scheme with an askew take on monochrome leaving sand and red clay of the '90's behind, the addition of MetroDiner and their outdoor dining immediately adjacent, A proper shuffling of departments, the talent behind this push and the distance these folks commute, all combine to hint that this store will again rise and as I see it, only continue to improve.
Even now, it's a great grab and go store, and it's proudly flanked by the #1 ranked Chic-Fil-A & Publix.
So with a broad perspective, one may say DIRE need, yet patience is a virtue.
Who here remembers the old mural in the dome?
I loved that mural.
I was a department manager with Belk at Roosevelt in 1998 and I also worked for May Cohen in visual merchandising in the early 80's. At the time we had a traveling staff that worked in every store in Jacksonville and Daytona. Each store had at least one staff member that did not travel, except Roosevelt because it was a small store back then.
When I did visual merchandising with MC my main assignment was the men's area. We went to Daytona every Thursday in the company van and worked together in the Daytona store. Every few weeks I drove by myself, with my Toyota filled with props, and working in the store in a strip mall on A1A across the street from the beach. It was very cool.
I worked in the Downtown store, Roosevelt, Regency, Orange Park, as mentioned both Daytona stores and Gateway. I often worked Gateway by myself. I also worked in the Levitation stores. There was one outside the Regency store on right hand side heading toward JC Penney. There were stores in Lakewood, Gateway and Normandy Mall. I did them all. It was an interesting time.
Sounds interesting, AJ!
I bet you were a great asset to their teems of traveling teams.
I feel like this store can stand to ctank it up a notch or 3 & better capture the repeat business of the youngish single male.
What say you?
What do they begin with aesthetically speaking?
Also, how necessary in your experience is the relocation of differernt departments?
(i think very)
Honestly, nowadays, the Men's section seems to be a bit of an afterthought, and many times I see wives picking up essentials like belts, ties, socks, undies, etc., for their hubbies, so the layout I guess somewhat understandably doesn't cultivate much interest from the young male shopper and needed buyer