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Blogs / In the Hive / January 2010 / Banana Republic at Trolley Square closes doors

Banana Republic at Trolley Square closes doors

From the view of our offices right across the street from the venerable Trolley Square, those of us that work in the SLmag offices can't help but watch the evolution of the new Trolley Square. We're probably more excited than most to have a Whole Foods lunch buffet just a hop, skip and a jump from the office. Afterall , we LOVE Trolley Square.

But sometimes we wonder when the project will ever be done, (construction estimates are Feb. 2011) when the easy-to-find-a-spot parking will be restored and if the cavernous halls of the classic brick and cobbled building will be restored to its jam-packed-with-shoppers glory. Remember back in the day when Trolley Square was THE cool destination shopping spot with lunch at The Pub, then shopping at JMR and a walk through Chalk Garden just to lust over what you couldn't afford. Well, I couldn't anyway.

We all know the mass shooting tragedy that befell SLC and Trolley Square several years ago didn't help the mall's PR. And yes, then there's the economy. But have the construction and parking limitations done even more extensive damage, driving shoppers to Gateway and Fashion Place to get their mall fix?

Well, if you're a Banana Republic shopper, that's where you'll be going from now on. As of this past Monday, BR has shuttered its doors, removed window displays and instructed employees to start packing. Most of the merch will be moved to Gateway or Fashion Place or returned to HQ. No word on what will happen to employees.

So the question is, where do the other national tenants stand? Brookstone? Restoration Hardware? American Apparel? The newly expanded super-duper Pottery Barn?

One bright spot is the halls were crowded over the holiday season and local retailers likeTabula Rasa, Desert Edge Pub and Cabin Fever seem to be riding the construction wave.

We certainly can't allow Trolley and its retailers to fail, and V-day is just around the corner so shopping must ensue (Rocky Mountain chocolates anyone?)

Hopefully Monday's vacancy will be the last for a while.