Has your local Disney Store closed? YES or WHEN

[Disney-Junkie]

The store in Joplin, MO closed over a year ago ( one hour away from us). Now I have to drive at least 2 hours to the nearest store---very disappointing. I maybe get to a DisneyStore once or twice a year now, when before I would go around once every 1-2 months---and I am a VERY good customer. .

 

[cooldisneymom]

I'm a new member of this board and this is my first post. I live 30 miles north of Atlanta, and we are very fortunate to have 2 DS within 8 miles of each other at two separate malls. I used to be ASM at one of these stores up until 2001. Not so lucky for several stores south of Atlanta and the Atlanta Airport. Even though I'm only 5 minutes away from the Mall of Georgia store it's just not the same anymore as when I worked there. I go frequently to get my "fix" between park visits, but it's soooooo different now.

 

[Blackunicorn]

The store in Chapel Hills Mall, Colorado Springs, CO closed two years ago, and the store in Citadel Mall, Colorado Springs, CO closed last October. There are no more Disney Stores left in Colorado Springs. There are four locations left in the Denver Metro area. When I expressed a hope that we would get a new store, the ASM snorted and said, "Not in this lifetime!"

I got two different stories from CM's about the Citadel closing: one, there was a lease renewal and Disney waited too long, and someone else picked it up--from someone who lost their job when the store closed. The second story is that the stores are up for sale, and are under contract to incur no additional expenses by the entity who is looking for a buyer on their behalf--this from a CM who is still employed and commuting the 60 miles to the nearest store.

One note--CM's don't mind if you ask if the store is closing, but it is really a big bummer if people walk up and demand to know when the store will close. It's like the difference between asking how the job is going and asking, "So, when are you going to lose your job?"

 

[Karl C]

The Disney Store in Sioux Falls South Dakota was padlocked 2 years ago. The only one in the state. I asked the store manager before they closed as to why. She was told that they were not turning enough of a margin. Maybe Yes, Maybe No, who's to say. There was hardly ever a time when I went in there that the store was not busy. So it was a surprise to hear it was closing for lack of sales. Oh well.
I feel the Internet Disney Store shot and killed the retail business, then replaced it for all the obvious reasons.

 

[tink2]

Just left my Disney Store in Montgomery, Alabama. I asked if they were in danger of closing and the manager said he thought they were probably same until next year- whatever that means. Anyway, they had tons of different stuff in! It was by far the best selection I've seen there in years! Lots of cool adult shirts and clothes and an infant section of clothes. Very happy with the selection I saw today!

 

[dzneelvr]

Wow, I feel fortunate in that the 2 DS I know about are still open--Rockford CherryVale Mall and Chicago Woodfield. I'm going to the Chicago one for the first time in over a year next month, so will see what type of merchandise is stocked there.
the Rockford store is mainly pre-teen merchandise .....no specialty or high-end collector items anymore. Mostly plush and knick-knacks. I still like to stroll through.

 

[DISFANS3]

The Disney store in Spfd Mo closed in Feb. No more Dis Dollers for us...

 

[Robmom]

The one in Brooklyn, NY closed on March 1. I was expecting it to happen, and I noticed when I went there on Sunday. It really is sad.

 

[KaterBell]

Originally posted by renda460
We had a rather large one close allegedly on 3/10/04 but I went there last weekend and it was already closed, (Natick MA).

I almost cried when this one closed. I live about 5 minutes away from it, and they had the huge gallery store attached to it. Drool.

 

[yensidoz]

My store closed Jan. 25 2004 after almost 13 years. We were located in Springfield, MO. Battlefield Mall. I was there for 11 years. Sad to see it go. WDW here I come!

 

[dcentity2000]

2 new Disney stores have just opened up near me and are doing very well


Rich::

 

[Howard Cohen]

Our disney store closed about 3 months ago in Rochester NY

 

[Snow_White]

Our Disney Store in Towson, Maryland (at the Towson Town Center) closed permanently a year or two ago.

 

[exDS vet]

This might be old news to some, but new to others, especially those going on vacations. The Disney Store at Pier 39 in San Francisco was closed in March of 2002. This was the second store ever built, and it had a charm to it that no other Disney Stores have (or had). Lots of people travel to SF for vacations and many who have been to Pier 39 will just go there automatically, expecting to visit that store. I was the manager of that store until shortly before it closed.

There is still the former "flagship" Disney Store at Union Square (400 Post St. at the corner of Post and Powell), but this store has changed dramatically. Those of you who have written posts about collectibles, etc. going away from stores probably wouldn't be surprised to know that the same thing happened here.

The gallery area from this store was transformed into a clearance area when I was last there (Christmas 2003) Everything that made this store unique (from a merchandise standpoint) is gone. But it is still a nice store to see. This is not a cookie cutter store. WDI actually did most of the interior of the store, including "Alice's Garden" and the beautiful ballroom from "Beauty and the Beast". So if you're going to SF, and have to get your Disney fix, stop by this store and see what I'm talking about.

But unles you purchase a couple of SF souvenirs, don't bother buying anything else, because you can easily get it at your local DS, if you have one.

 

[tinkerbell81284]

As far as I know TDS in the mall that I work in in Clearwater, FL is still open and won't be closing for at least a couple months. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[Cheshire27]

I worked in both the Charlottesville, VA and Charleston, SC stores. Both are now closed. There are no more stores in South Carolina. I am now at a store in Florida. I will list all the stores in these districts that are open:
Virginia Center Commons - Richmond, VA
Lynnhaven Mall - Virginia Beach, VA
Chesapeake Square - Chesapeake, VA
Valley View Mall - Roanoke, VA
Crabtree Valley Mall - Raleigh, NC
Four Seasons Town Center - Greensboro, NC
Hanes Mall - Winston-Salem, NC
Oak Hollow Mall - High Point, NC
Valley Hills Mall - Hickory, NC
Cross Creek Mall - Fayetteville, NC
closed from this district - Charlottesville, VA; Chesterfield Town Center (Richmond, VA); Northwoods Mall (Charleston, SC)
South Florida stores open:
The Gardens - Palm Beach, FL
Indian River Mall - Vero Beach, FL
Boynton Beach Mall - Boynton Beach, FL
Coral Square Mall - Coral Springs, FL
Broward Mall
Pembroke Pines Mall (Ft. Lauderdale)
Aventura Mall
Dadeland Mall
The Shops at Sunset Place
Bayside Marketplace
The Falls
Coastland - Naples, FL

Hope that helps!

 

[FiggyFan]

I'm a CM at one of the DS im Michigan, we were just told that the Store in E. Lansing Mi. ( Meridian Mall ) will close on May 2,2004.
I hope that there are some left by the end of the year.

 

[babygarrettsmom]

Anyone know if the two in Jacksonville, FL will stay open? The one in the Avenues Mall (a Simon property) which is just off I-95 just got remodeled recently. I don't know about the one in Regency Square as I refuse to go to that mall. I just hope ours stays open - the Outlet in St. Augustine doesn't sell Disney Dollars.

Went last night - The Disney Store in The Avenues Mall just off I-95 at the US-1 exit in south Jacksonville will remain open!!! So, if you drivers need a fix on the way down........

P.S. Cinderella and Belle will be there this Tuesday from 6-8 signing autographs and taking pictures!!!

 

[disrailfan]

I was in the store in Castleton Mall in Indianapolis Indiana today and I have never saw more people in the store except at christmas. I don't understand it, everyone including our wonderful media is stating that the economy sucks but this mall was wall to wall people and always is every weekend.

The DS in this mall is relatively small compared to some stores. But today it was very crowded. I actually waited in a line of about 15 poeple to buy my copy of the Haunted Manstion Soundtrack.

I only have one more comment, "It's not the economy stupid!"

 

[jaskie]

The store in the Mall of America is still open. They closed the stores in Southdale and Ridgedale here in the Twin Cities.

Don't know about any other ones in this area.

I know the MOA store has gone through a lot of merchandising changes, but is always hopping.

Penny