Another Retailer Closes in New Town

By WYDaily Staff Friday, March 19, 2010

New Town has lost another retail business.

Pac Sun closed its doors on Main Street Thursday after sufficient sales failed to materialize. Although the popular surf and skateboarding-inspired apparel store opened first in New Town, it competed with the Pac Sun "value store" in the Prime Outlets, which opened about two years ago.

The mixed-use development has suffered a number of closures in recent months, both by major corporations and local owners.

Cheeburger Cheeburger, a retro-style burger chain, closed in late January. Owner Steve Touchstone said in an interview with WYDaily that Shor Real Estate, the leasing company that handles New Town, refused to lower rents when the company tried to renegotiate to stay in business.

Other stores that closed in late 2009 include Old Navy, an anchor store on Main Street, Great Harvest Bread Co., Norwalk Furniture and national clothing chain J. Jill. A local franchise of zPizza closed, too, but has since reopened under new ownership.

Nathan Shor, president of Shor Real Estate, said three now-vacant spaces may soon be filled. The company is working with replacement tenants for Old Navy, Pac Sun and the Cheeburger space, he said, with hopes to announce the new tenants within the next 30 days.