2020 is finally over.
Due to Covid, 2020 was a difficult year for retail both in Evesham and around the world. Many national chains struggled and declared bankruptcy, and many smaller stores quietly closed their doors. In this post, I will look only at retail businesses, those with a storefront that a customer could walk in to without an appointment, excluding small service offices, such as accountants, lawyers, doctors, etc.
In 2019, I recorded 30 openings and 22 closings. If you had to guess, before reading any further, what do you think happened in 2020?
For a few weeks in the summer, it seemed like I was announcing a new store closing every other day. But totaling them all at the end of the year, while certainly not as good as last year (not even close), it was not as bad as I thought. In 2020, there were 24 openings and 30 closings.
But first, the biggest news stories of the year. These was no scientific basis for picking the top stories, they are just based on my observation of comments I have seen on social media, as well as activity on my 'A View From Evesham' page. Just missing the cut were Orvis and Moxie Blue closing.
1) Coronavirus
There is no way to avoid talking about Corona in any look at retail for 2020. Beginning in March, many stores were shut down completely, and even after they opened, not only was capacity reduced/restricted, many potential customers just stopped shopping. Restaurants were particularly hard hit. While outdoor dining and delivery/take-out helped make up some lost revenue, restaurants are still struggling, and they are continuing to struggle in 2021. Please continue to support your local businesses. And because of coronavirus, construction on new stores slowed down (or were abandoned).
2) Sur La Table closes
Sur la Table was one of the original tenants in the Promenade, opening in November 2002. They filed for bankruptcy on July 8 ,2020 and their store in Marlton closed in August 2020.
3) Bleu Bear Market opens
Its hard to believe the opening of Bleu Bear Market at the former location of Lucky 7 Deli happened in 2020. But it did, pre coronovirus. The full service gluten-free market opened February. Owners Mark Rooks and Ridgway Grace had previously opened Bleu Bear Bakery and the Haddonfield Donut Compnay in Haddonfield, and opened their next venture right here in Marlton. So if you are looking for gluten-free butcher meats, pasta, breads, soups, gelato, coffee and tea, and even gluten-free Lucky Charms and ready-to-bake Chocolate Chip Cookie dough, head on over to Allison Shopping Center.
I admit I did not expect this news to be so popular. I've never been in a Sephora, nor do I plan to go, but I'll have to trust the women of Evesham who seem really excited about this! Coming in 2021 at the former home of American Eagle in the Promenade at Sagemore.
List of Stores that Closed in 2020
There were definitely some surprises in this list. Marlton Tavern was a bit of a shocker, as was Moxie Blue, and many large chains either closed all stores (Justice, PetValu) or select stores (Lane Bryant, B. Good). Many large retailers remain under bankruptcy threat, so we could see many more brands vanish from Evesham in 2021.
- I predicted both Bottom Dollar and Carrabas would remain unoccupied. CORRECT
- I predicted the following stores would get new tenants: Pet Supplies Plus in Greentree Square, Woodloft and the empty store next to Skechers. Only Woodloft was correct. I went 1-2.
- The Weichert Building would be demolished. CORRECT. It was demolished on February 12, 2020
- Sunbird Plaza will remain empty. CORRECT