Business & Tech

Charlotte Russe Shutters Santa Monica Store

The retailer opened a store at Santa Monica Place in 2010 as a prototype for its other locations across the country.

The bright lights are out, the pop music turned off and the windows that once displayed jeggings, tight jersy dresses and trendy accessories are covered up.

The Santa Monica that had served as prototype for made-over stores in Chicago and Cambridge, MA is now closed.

It opened in a 5,400-square-foot space in in the summer of 2010 and was one of the most affordably priced outlets among designer stores such as , and .

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According to Santa Monica Place's marketing manager Nicole Flynn, Charlotte Russe shuttered along with an undisclosed number of stores nationwide.

The Santa Monica Place "location is one of many that the chain decided to close based on overall business. It was nothing to do with sales performance at Santa Monica Place," she said. "Often times retailers in this situation power thorough the holiday season to capture sales, then shutter in January.”

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Under the leadership of president Jenny Ming, Charlotte Russe used its Santa Monica location to roll out a new logo and a new modern interior. It also revamped its clothing lines to include pieces that would appeal to college-aged women and compete better with Forever 21, the Los Angeles Times reported in 2010.

Flynn said Charlotte Russe's departure from Santa Monica Place's second floor presents an opportunity to repurpose the square footage "with retailers our customers are asking for."

Negotiations with potential new tenants are underway, she said, and several new apparel retailers are expected to open this summer along with a new Aveda Azure Salon.


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