Bridge Street owner Tanger counters punches of store closings with openings and Mayor Battle in its corner

HUNTSVILLE — Barely a year after being purchased by Tanger, Huntsville’s Bridge Street Town Centre has seen a rash of business closings and pending closings over the last three months.

The long-time pizzeria Pieology closed its doors just before Thanksgiving and the PBR Lockhart Smokehouse rode into the sunset on New Year’s Day.

And now, Chico’s, Soma, and White House Black Market reportedly told employees they would close Jan. 26. The stores are owned by Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm, which acquired Chico’s FAS in January 2024.

However, Tanger isn’t standing idly by and has Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle in its corner.

“Bridge Street Town Centre continues to focus on bringing a dynamic mix of top brands, specialty stores and restaurants to the Huntsville community, and we work closely with our retail partners to support their success,” Bridge Street Town Centre management said in a statement to 256 Today. “In efforts to evolve with our shopper base, we continually evaluate the center’s retail mix and seek out new offerings that provide fresh options to complement our selection of leading brands.

“Recently opened stores at Bridge Street include a newly expanded Apple store and a first-to-market Warby Parker, as well as locally owned boutiques including 99Boutique and Kendry Collection. Starbucks is also slated to open at the center later this month, and we look forward to sharing additional new retailers soon.”

Tanger, an operator of outlet and open-air retail shopping developments, bought the 825,000‑square-foot open-air lifestyle center in November 2023. At the time, Bridge Street comprised more than 80 retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

When Tanger purchased Bridge Street, Battle said company executives met with Huntsville administrators and assured them Bridge Street would continue in its original and current open-air, lifestyle retail format.

The mayor reiterated that assurance Friday, stating he has full confidence in Tanger’s ability to backfill these spaces given their track record and wide portfolio of retailer relationships.