Aug. 24. By TL Bernthal. Jennifer Harrison, owner of FlairTRADE Consignment, is closing her store after losing her lease at The Shops at The Fresh Market.

“Our building is carved out of a larger space that was shared with the old Stein Mart space. They are going to split it down the middle with one half becoming TJX’s Home Sense concept store and the space we currently occupy plus part of the old Stein Mart becoming Total Wine,” she wrote to customers.

Tough decision

The decision to close the business was not easy. Harrison had listed the business with a local broker a year ago, with the intentions to fully retire.

“In May 2022 we had a buyer that was interested in our business and began their due diligence. In July 2022 our landlord notified us that they were not going to renew our building lease, which ends Oct. 31,” Harrison said.

Retail space at a premium

Retail space in Lake Norman is very limited and as a result lease rates have doubled, she said.

Harrison said she and the potential buyer searched for space from North Charlotte to Mooresville. A few potential locations were identified, but only one that would meet the needs of the business, she said.

“This past Sunday that buyer was informed that the space they had been actively engaged in leasing was leased to another party,” she said. “This left us limited time to communicate with our associates, liquidate our inventory and clean out our store.”

What’s next

Harrison decided to close the business. Effective immediately the store will no longer take new consignment items and current appointments will be cancelled.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 29, Harrison said the store will have a liquidation sale of on-hand inventory.

“Our last day of business will be dictated by how long this process takes and still makes sense to remain operational,” she said.

Harrison answered questions consignors may have here.

Total Wine

It’s unclear when Total Wine will open for business.

Shopping center owner Site Centers, formerly DDR, did not return a phone call this morning.

Cornelius officials expect to review the plans at this Friday’s Architectural Review Board meeting.

For now, Total Wine in Birkdale Village remains open and continues to be part of the reimagined Birkdale Village concept, according to owners.