As San Francisco stores close due to theft, Charlotte stores close due to violence.

 https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article279283324.html

As of this week, Northlake Mall’s website lists American Eagle as “temporarily closed.” But that doesn’t tell the whole story. The clothing retail chain shuttered its store in the north Charlotte mall back in the spring. In response, financially struggling Northlake Mall sued the national apparel chain in federal court, claiming the departure led to fewer shoppers, more stores leaving and a decrease in the mall’s value. The mall also is suing four other national retailers who left in recent months, claiming they still owe rent.

But American Eagle countersued Northlake, citing safety concerns and calling the mall a “warzone” that’s a “hotbed for crime” following several high-profile shootings there over the past two years. Spinoso Real Estate Group of Syracuse, New York, maintains and operates the mall, which is in receivership.

American Eagle said the complex is not operated as a “first-class mall” as promised. The retailer said its lease allowed the store to leave “due to emergency events” beyond the store’s control, including “rampant violence” and a “draconian” mall policy that forbids teens from shopping unattended during certain hours. Between the lawsuits, the violence and the ongoing financial troubles of the mall, one retail expert at Queens University of Charlotte said the shopping center is in a “death spiral.”

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