Columbia, SC (WLTX) - Belk will close its store at the Dutch Square Mall in mid-January, company officials confirmed Monday.
Belk said the shutdown will allow it to focus its resources on its stores at Columbiana Mall, the Village at Sandhill, and Richland Mall.
"This difficult decision was made only after a careful evaluation of our business plans and competitive position in the Columbia market," Belk spokesperson Jessica Graham said in a statement. "We believe closing the store is in the best long-term interests of Belk and our stockholders."
The Columbiana location, which is just a few miles away, will undergo a $6 million renovation and expansion that includes a new 50,000 square foot men's store in the space that Sears used to occupy. That addition is expected to be completed in March of next year.
Employees were notified of the decision last week. A going out of business sale at the Dutch Square store will begin on November 2nd.
