Gap Trades Mall For ABQ Uptown

The new Gap store at ABQ Uptown will open in phases next week, essentially replacing the global clothing chain’s two existing stores at nearby Coronado Center.

Gap will shutter its adult-line store inside Coronado on Sunday night and then close its GapKids mall shop on Monday night, said Jennifer Padilla, a local sales associate.

Gap’s new, 10,529-square-foot location down the road at ABQ Uptown will sell men’s, women’s, kids’ and baby apparel all under one roof, Padilla said. The store is located between J.Crew and The North Face in part of the former Border’s space.

ABQ Uptown customers can shop Gap’s adult line starting Monday. The kids and baby selections become available Tuesday.

Gap will hold a grand opening party with music, snacks and drinks from 11 a.m to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, Padilla said.

San Francisco-based Gap has been a fixture in Coronado for decades. Mall General Manager Randy Sanchez estimates Coronado has had a Gap store for 30 years or more.

But when Gap’s leases at Coronado recently came up for renewal, a deal couldn’t be reached, Sanchez said.

A Journal email to Gap’s corporate office was not immediately returned on Wednesday.

Gap is vacating a 9,800-square foot space at Coronado, while GapKids leaves a 6,500-square foot store.

“The good news is their two locations are great real estate and we won’t have any trouble leasing it up,” Sanchez said.

Replacement stores are already in the works, he added, although he couldn’t offer specific details. Customers could see something new in the Gap spaces by the summer, Sanchez said.
— This article appeared on page B1 of the Albuquerque Journal