Columbia-area mall is losing its last two tenants

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The last two tenants at Richland Mall in Forest Acres are moving out.

Regional department store Belk and bookstore Barnes and Noble announced recently that they will be leaving the beleaguered mall at the intersection of Forest Drive and Beltline Boulevard, which has been losing tenants for several years and is set to be demolished for redevelopment in the near future.

In November 2022, a $100 million redevelopment plan was announced to be handled by Southeastern Development of Augusta, Ga. Those plans call for a 32-acre mixed-use property to include retail, a brewery or tap room, green space, a grocery and apartments.

Original plans called for Belk to move from its current site to a storefront formerly occupied by the Parisian department store, but company officials have said they will now leave the mall altogether in early September.

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“Belk has been proud to serve customers at our Richland Mall store since 1998,” said a Belk spokesperson in a statement. “As redevelopment plans for the mall move forward, we will be closing our Richland Mall location to focus on our other Columbia stores. After store closing, we hope to welcome customers to our Columbiana Center or The Village at Sandhill locations. Customers are also able to shop for their favorite products on Belk.com or in the Belk app.”

Belk officials said a store closing sale started on Friday, Aug. 11 which gives customers 65% off on original prices as well as clearance items on sale for 75% the original price.

Officials from Southeastern Development did not have a comment about the Belk announcement.

Barnes and Noble officials also announced they will be closing the Richland Mall location of the bookstore in early 2024. The store will move into the vacant site left behind by Bed, Bath and Beyond on Garners Ferry Road after that chain filed bankruptcy and closed all stores earlier this year. The storefront is located next to Target at the Shoppes at Woodhill.

Management at Barnes and Noble said the store at Richland Mall will continue to operate until the new site is ready.