[Northlake Mall]

First of all, Smellycat ranked SouthPark as one of the most premier upscale malls in the country. Americana was one of the examples of that statement not being entirely true. We both listed malls that are IMO better malls with a higher percentage of high-end stores than SouthPark.

I already stated that SP has potential to be a great mall. Of course, in that time there will be other more exclusive malls to open that will challenege my assertion. It's a fact of our crazy retail industry. The "upscale lifestyle center" is one of the hottest trends now.

Lots of malls expanded and some have opened for business during the economic downturn. However, most high-end stores are still playing it safe in some regard. Look at Neiman Marcus, both at SouthPark and on a national level. The store at SP is the 2nd smallest in the country. They want to be here, but they don't want to take a big chance either. Since 2000 NM has greatly reduced the amount of true luxury goods they carry while expanding their less expensive "junior trends" division. That's also where NM has seen the biggest upswing in sales. As for LV, Burberry and Tiffany repaing major rewards, please provide the data for the individual stores. Thanks. Also, which new high-end retailers are trying to move into SouthPark? Again, thank you.

No, Simon did what they do with most of their malls. That's how they develop them to drive traffic. However, I don't think they used retailers like Express to "round out" the mall. They went to those retailers first since they're most likely to expand.

Stores/brands like Banana Republic carry the entire fashion retail industry. You think they don't carry the malls, too? MOST people will shop BR BEFORE they shop LV. Brands like LV have a higher price point, but in the U.S. they don't sell quite as well as the less expensive brands. This isn't Hong Kong, ya know.

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GIRLY i've noticed that you always have something negative to say about CLT. No southpark mall isn't the best mall in the USA but it's promoting well and is an upcoming top 15 upscale malls.NEXT question " How many upscale stores do the city you live in, have?There are many stores in the area that are upscale and carry highend clothing and footwear that are not in the mall so again I think you haven't been around the whole city of CLT.I'm from NY as you know and I know upscale shopping when I see it .As far as NM goes yes they are opening a smaller store in SP but they are hard to get in any market period and the markets that do get NM WILL BE A SMALLER STORE.YOU don't hear about alot of cities getting a NM lately and thats a good thing unlike SAKS POPPING UP EVERYWHERE.Lastly,SP has cheesecake factory which is popping up everywhere too, but they also have morton's and mccormick and schmicks, SO UPSCALE IS A GOOD TITLE FOR THIS MALL.

[Downtown Raleigh's Future]

Mike1, the people I know just think Raleigh is a more cultured city and has more potential. They think that Raleigh is more diverse than Charlotte and has a more "laid-back" attitude. One friend said Raleigh was a grown-up verion of Austin, if that makes sense.

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I'm from NY and the statement about everyone from NY moves to RAL over CLT,that's BS. Most people I know from NY have chosen CLT already and there's more to come. In NY you hardly here about RAL like you hear about CLT. If you think RAL is more diverse than CLT you are sadly mistaken, check the census reports. AS far as comparing diversity CLT was one of the most diverse in the south.Yes I agree that RAL is more laid back than CLT but that's because they are on two different levels and anyone would be crazy to keep putting CLT down as if it came second to RAL and that is a bunch of bull. I have family in RAL and I've stayed there from time to time on business but to say nightlife is better there , that is BS TOO.... CLT KILLS RAL IN THAT AREA FOR A FACT.RAL downtown is like a vacant parking lot after 6pm.CLT def. has more shopping oppurtunities and I can say that coming from shopping mecca.RAL is the capitol but you know that doesn't mean anything because most of the biggest,important and vibrant cities in each respectable state isn't the capitol.

[Northlake Mall]

I recently spoke to one of my friend's who is one of the marketing manager at SAKS in Manhattan about the SAKS at TTC and its not a level 1 SAKS ITS LIKE level 3 (which was very obvious when i visited),which means that the merchandise that they sell there is alot older and more reasonable .......just like the Bloomingdales in ATL.....personally SAKS is just a old name to me just like most other retailers but I would take neiman marcus over them anyday and NM is a tough market to catch...there are SAKS expanding everywhere and that says something ...but NM has no plans on opening no more stores in the south for a while.So I don't care if CLT doesn't get one...no big deal....NM is here .

[Retail in Richmond]

Yea I was gonna say that Stony Point has a Saks Fifth avenue, the only other city between D.C. and charleston S.C. to have one. ShortPump has a Crate and Barrel as well.

The obvious favorite for groceries is Ukrop's. But there is also food lion, kroger, super-walmart, and a few winn-dixie's left which are all supposed to go out of business soon. I think farm fresh owns one store, called The Market, near the Bottom.

Carytown is probably one of the most unique shopping experiences you can find.

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Raleigh has a Saks Fifth Avenue and Charlotte has the Saks off Fifth which is the same company but more of an outlet store.

[Charlotte Off Topic]

IMO North Carolina doesn't need IKEA....4 what....It's already the major destination for furniture with having the furniture convention in High Point( i'm not sure if that's what you call it..lol...) but I don't understand the big deal about it.

[Charlotte Off Topic]

Welcome hotspottny!    I hope the off-line conversation we had about the difference in MSA, and CSA helps to explain the different numbers for Charlotte.

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Thanks monsoon and hello Appatone ! I moved to Charlotte last year around september and I have enjoyed my stay thus far and this city really surprised me since the last time I visited but it's a good thing and I have about 6 other friends and family who are moving to this area this year so i'm really excited about that . I 've always had family here though and so I took a new job that had a good salary and packed up and now i'm here....I Speak highly of this city to all my friends up north and who knows it might be more than that moving here soon , they are all excited to visit the area and whether you know it or not Charlotte is talked about alot in NY......

[Charlotte Off Topic]

I just wanted to say first and foremost, " hello room", why is eveybody still syaing that Charlotte metro pop. is still 1.5 million because its not its much higher... check emporis...thats where everyone is using alot of their facts about buildings and metro populations, why can't Charlotte.......im from NY and I like it here, so we need to correct people everytime they continue to put Charlotte further back in the category of other cities that are not on the same page and population......THANKS I REALLY ENJOY THIS FORUM!!!!