As I was walking toward the NorthPark Center food court, there it was — the larger-than-life sign announcing that H&M will open summer 2011 next to Urban Outfitters. I immediately remembered that NorthPark Center leasing director Derek Wood told me H&M’s 24,000-square-foot store would be “in an area that they were originally proposed to go” when he began talking with the company in 2003. That location — upstairs near the food court, movie theater and other stores attracting similar customers (Urban Outfitters, Forever XXI) — does make sense for the fast-fashion concept’s first store in Dallas. (Its current store downstairs near Dillards is just a temporary space.)
One thing confused me, though. I knew that the flagship store would have 24,000 square feet, but the site of NorthPark’s future location didn’t seem large enough. So I walked into Urban Outfitters and asked a salesperson if she happened to know how many square feet are in her store. She didn’t, and looked at me quizically. When I explained the reason behind my question, she told me that H&M would also be taking over two current stores downstairs — Puzzle Zoo and Justice. Ah! That’s why Puzzle Zoo is moving to the former Eddie Bauer space and Justice is moving a few doors down. And my guess is that H&M will showcase its children, teen and perhaps maternity clothing in the downstairs space since that entire hall is geared toward the younger demographic.
As for what used to be in the future H&M space upstairs — I can’t even remember.
