Forever 21 coming to the Valley Mall

YAKIMA, Wash. — A Los Angeles retailer is expected to open a new store at the Gottschalks space at the Valley Mall in Union Gap by late summer.

Forever 21, which sells chic but affordable clothing for teenagers and young women, won the auction for the lease in Union Gap, along with 11 others in California and Alaska, according to court documents.

It also snagged three properties owned by the Fresno-based retailer, which is currently going through liquidation sales.

The purchase is subject to final approval by U.S. Bankruptcy Court. A final hearing is scheduled for early June.

The decision to open a store in Yakima stemmed from its success in other stores throughout the state, said Larry Meyer, executive vice president for Forever 21. It currently operates seven stores in the state, including one in Spokane.

"Our brand sells well in Washington," he said.

Although many consider Forever 21 a junior retailer, about 35 percent of the company's sales comes from women over the age of 24, Meyer said.

The Valley Mall store will be a large-store concept offering a variety of clothing lines such as Faith 21, its plus-size line along with menswear and accessories.

"Our customer (base) has been very broad," he said

Fred Bruning, CEO of CenterCal Properties, said while he pursued larger department stores for the space, the move toward Forever 21 provides its advantages.

Bruning said a larger department store would likely have to add on to the existing space, while the former Gottschalks location works just fine for Forever 21, resulting in a store that can open more quickly.

He also confirmed that Ulta, a cosmetics store, would be heading to the Valley Mall Plaza in the space next to the now vacant Linens 'n Things space. The store, which currently has four locations on the west side of the state, offers a variety of skin care and makeup products.

Bruning remained mum, however, on the tenant of the Linens 'n Things store. Both retailers are scheduled to open in October.

* Mai Hoang can be reached at 509-577-7685 or mhoang@yakimaherald.com.