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Pottery Barn closing in Plaza las Américas

Pottery Barn has posted a sign announcing the closing sale event

Just a little over three years after opening its first store in Puerto Rico, home décor retailer Pottery Barn is reportedly closing its doors at the mall on June 30. About 20 people will lose their jobs.

Store operators have already posted signs announcing the closing sale and “saying good-bye” to Plaza las Américas, sources told News is my Business, which broke the story Tuesday.

Late in the day, Pottery Barn officials confirmed the upcoming closing saying “there are a number of factors that may go into a store closing. The terms of the store lease, store performance, surrounding stores, and alternate real estate availability are just a few.”

Pottery Barn, owned by Williams-Sonoma Inc., opened its doors at the Hato Rey mall in April 2008, along with sister retailer West Elm. The stores offer a variety of high-end, modern decorative elements for the home, both inside and out.

Lorraine Vissepó, communications director for Plaza las Américas, said while Pottery Barn would close, West Elm would stay put.

“The company decided to consolidate its operations in Puerto Rico through its West Elm store which will remain open as it is today. The liquidation sale of Pottery Barn’s inventory has begun, and should last through the end of the month,” Vissepó said.

The Plaza las Américas Pottery Barn was the chain’s 200th store, occupying 21,000 square feet, while its sister West Elm was the chain’s 28th location, taking up a 19,000 square foot corner across the hall from the Borders bookstore. Initially, Pottery Barn created between 75 and 85 jobs — a number that significantly dwindled — and West Elm another 110 to 120, store officials said during the opening event.

Plaza las Américas has already identified a new tenant to take over the space once Pottery Barn leaves. However, Vissepó refrained from revealing the name of the new retailer, as the lease contract has not yet been signed.

Author Details
Author Details
Business reporter with 30 years of experience writing for weekly and daily newspapers, as well as trade publications in Puerto Rico. My list of former employers includes Caribbean Business, The San Juan Star, and the Puerto Rico Daily Sun, among others. My areas of expertise include telecommunications, technology, retail, agriculture, tourism, banking and most other segments of Puerto Rico’s economy.
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