H&M to Open Sept. 6 in Avenues Mall

[MelMel]

H&M, the world's second-largest fashion retailer, is set to open in the Avenues Mall Thursday, Sept. 6.

The Swedish brand is known for its inexpensive yet quality up-to-date fashion for men, women and children.

Though the company has become extremely popular in the US, online shopping is not available on their website, and this will be the store's only location between Central Florida and Atlanta.  Could this mean Jacksonville is on its way to become the necessary shopping destination for those in Northeast Florida?  Time will only tell, but with $39 women's blazers, $30 men's jeans and $10 children's sweaters, there's no doubt the approximately 18,000 square foot store will gain much enthusiasm from us in Jacksonville.

For ways to wear the seemingly endless items H&M has in store for you, visit: http://www.hm.com/us/life#comp_0000005fa9

[ben says]

Can't say I'll ever go there, but glad to hear the Avenues hasn't completely been bulldozed by SJTC.

[I-10east]

What's the over on how many very original "wish it was downtown" remarks will be said on this thread?

[thelakelander]

Glad to see it opening at the Avenues instead of SJTC.  I don't see this as Jax becoming a major shopping destination outside of Northeast Florida, South Georgia and perhaps parts of the Panhandle (which it already is).  H&M is literally all over the US now.  Given our size, we seem like a natural expansion market for them.  I expect they'll be expanding to more second tier Southern metros like Charlotte and Nashville soon.

[I-10east]

I don't see this as Jax becoming a major shopping destination outside of Northeast Florida, South Georgia and perhaps parts of the Panhandle (which it already is).

To me, that's okay. Most metros have a similar regional shopping footprint that's like Jax. There are only a couple of exceptions, like NY, Chicago, LA, South Florida etc.

[thelakelander]

^Yeah, I've got no problem with that.  It's no different here than in most metropolitan areas of similar size.

[MelMel]

That is true, I've seen a lot of people from Northern Fla and parts of Georgia come in to my store because it has more than the places they live.  I'm just glad that H&M is an extra perk for people who come for the shopping.  It's good for Jacksonville.

[river4340]

Yeah, I think the surprise is that it's in The Avenues. Every one-of in Jax does seem to go to the town center.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2012-08-15/story/hm-open-sept-6-avenues

[fsujax]

Good for the Avenues. Glad to see them hanging on.

[I-10east]

I think that alot of people are a little too fascinated with the "STJC will put the Avenues Mall out of business". theory, just because they aren't all that far from each other. IMO the Avenues will be just fine. What's not fine is the Regency Square Mall (particularly in the West Mall). I went there the other day, and it's virtually dead. I heard about the supposed bulldozing of Reg's West Mall, I'm having mixed feelings about that. Tearing down existing infrastructure doesn't sound like a good idea to me. Sorry about going off course a lil'.

[thelakelander]

Avenues will be fine but Regency will go under without reinvestment and redevelopment.  The west mall is already empty and that Dillards looks like its out of there, just as soon as their lease ends. Personally, I'm in favor of demolishing the west mall if it is replaced with an open air format featuring restaurants/entertainment oriented uses integrated with green space at ground level.

[fsujax]

I have never seen an empty Dillards store until I was in West Palm Beach last week. It is just an eerie site and screams dead mall.

[carpnter]

Avenues will be fine but Regency will go under without reinvestment and redevelopment.  The west mall is already empty and that Dillards looks like its out of there, just as soon as their lease ends. Personally, I'm in favor of demolishing the west mall if it is replaced with an open air format featuring restaurants/entertainment oriented uses integrated with green space at ground level.

Have there been any studies done to see if something like this would be feasible.  Right now the mall is pretty much dead and I'll drive by it to go to the Avenues or SJTC for shopping and I'll eat at the locally owned Arlington restaurants instead of the chains around Regency. 
The mall needs something otherwise I fear it will just be another Gateway in several years.

[KenFSU]

Big fan of the Avenues.

I'm glad to see they are taking steps like this to stay relevant.

[Dapperdan]

Now a Nordstrom to the Town Center in 2014. Come on Ikea, we are waiting..lol