Sandusky Mall likely losing its 'charm'

PERKINS TWP. — Count Charming Charlie as a likely commercial casualty in an ever-growling list of sizable stores shuttering within Sandusky Mall.An employee on Thursday informed the Register the retail operation plans on closing by Dec. 31 and possibly before Christmas.Without specifically indicating its likely impending fate, signs outside the storefront — "30 percent to 50 percent off" and "Everything must go!" — suggest as much. Inside the store, the shelves and tables displaying products appeared mostly empty.Joe Bell, a spokesman for the Cafaro Co., which owns and operates the Sandusky Mall, couldn't confirm any details when asked on Thursday afternoon."We're trying to figure it out," Bell said. "They are facing some national problems. We are anticipating they are going through a corporate shakeup, but we haven't had any official notification of what they are doing with their (Sandusky Mall) store. We are waiting and watching."It appears as if the Charming Charlie store in Sandusky Mall will close.Earlier this week, Charming Charlie's corporate offices announced an undisclosed amount of its "underperforming stores" would cease operations in the near future. The statement didn't name locations.Debuting at Sandusky Mall about six years ago, Charming Charlie — specializing in trendy, colorful assortments of women's accessories, jewelry and clothing — marks the mall's third anchor store to close within two years' time. The others: Macy's and Sears.Meanwhile another major retailer, TJ Maxx, could also relocate from the mall. A real estate proposal shows the clothing store along with Chick-fil-A, Panda Express, PetSmart and Five Below opening in the Sandusky Promenade, situated next to Kohl's on Milan Road (U.S. 250) this spring.It appears as if the Charming Charlie store in Sandusky Mall will close.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.