By Mike Hazlip-
Sunglasses Hut has pulled the shades at their Sunrise Mall location after a decline in foot traffic, though opting to still maintain a presence with a “store-in-store” concept location inside Macy’s.
An employee at the location who could not be identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said it was a corporate decision not to renew the lease based on economic factors. The business is re-locating to Macy’s South, he said.
Sunglasses Hut remains interested in maintaining a presence at the mall, and will consider opening a new store in the Sunrise Tomorrow concept, according to the source.
The national sunglasses chain joins Toys R Us in opening a “store-within-a-store” concept at one of the mall’s few remaining anchor retailers.
Macy’s Senior Director and Store Manager Greg Bazarnik told The Sentinel previously that a national launch of Toys R Us inside Macy’s stores will take place in October. Bazarnik said plans will include new fixtures and additional visual elements to “create the new environment,” which will be installed prior to the official national launch date.
The marketing move has been popular with other national chains as Disney closed their retail locations in favor of a smaller footprint stores inside more than 100 Target locations in 2021, USA Today reports.
While Sunrise Mall has seen several business closures over the past few years, it has also welcomed recent new businesses, including SmartTech Ready in March and Infinity Jewelers in June. The mall is also the site of a new performing arts group, slated for a grand opening this month.
