Mark Shale's parent company has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and will close all but three stores. The flagship location in Chicago and two others will remain open while Lenox and all others will close by late April. As of today, the store is 30% off and will continue reductions until their late April closure. On a visit to the store today, the sales staff was cold calling all top customers and informing of them of the closure and urging them to come in and shop soon. I was very unimpressed with the staff and felt this may not be a result of the impending closure but instead, a possible cause. In times like these, customer service needs to be a priority for businesses as they try to retain existing customers and attract what new ones they can. Though I was not a frequent shopper, I always wondered how such a large store, with such similar merchandise as other mall stores could stay in business. I have heard the Mark Shale is enormous at Lenox, having a large basement, elevator and storage along with their two store front lobby level Lenox location. Heres to the thought of as many as two new stores in Lenox when MS closes. Repeat Atlanta!Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Marking The End Of Mark Shale
Mark Shale's parent company has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and will close all but three stores. The flagship location in Chicago and two others will remain open while Lenox and all others will close by late April. As of today, the store is 30% off and will continue reductions until their late April closure. On a visit to the store today, the sales staff was cold calling all top customers and informing of them of the closure and urging them to come in and shop soon. I was very unimpressed with the staff and felt this may not be a result of the impending closure but instead, a possible cause. In times like these, customer service needs to be a priority for businesses as they try to retain existing customers and attract what new ones they can. Though I was not a frequent shopper, I always wondered how such a large store, with such similar merchandise as other mall stores could stay in business. I have heard the Mark Shale is enormous at Lenox, having a large basement, elevator and storage along with their two store front lobby level Lenox location. Heres to the thought of as many as two new stores in Lenox when MS closes. Repeat Atlanta!
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While you openly admit that you were "not a frequent shopper" at Mark Shale, you were able to make the incredible deduction that Mark Shale's parent company went bankrupt because you were "unimpressed with the staff" at Lenox Mall. Shelock Holmes has nothing on you! Can't wait for the next installment - keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI am sad to see Mark Shale go because I always felt welcomed there by the staff. I can go into most stores in Lenox and not one salesperson will ask if they can help or if I need a fitting room, etc. Every time I went to Mark Shale I felt like I had my own personal shopper.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious why exactly you were unimpressed with the staff. As a "writer" could you make a more vague statement? I suggest get back to blogging 101...though I'm not entirely surprised after seeing the quality of this site. It is my first time on here and due to the lack of intelligent insight and discussion, it is now my last. Ironically I ended up on this blog BECAUSE I googled Mark Shale after hearing rumors the ATL store was closing.
Way to rack up all those comments on your blog entries! Looks like the next submission for your Death Watch (terrible name by the way) should be YOUR own site.
this store was boring with outdated clothes and took up too much prime space in a high fashion mall, out with the old and boring and in with the new and fashionable. I hope Lenox is able to capture some high profile lease(s) to fill this space.
ReplyDeleteSome of us enjoy this site so good riddance to Mark Shale and the complaining readers. Hey, why don't you guys go start your own blog, it seems you like to hear yourselves.
ReplyDeleteI have shopped at over 20 mass retailers and specialty boutiques. I frequent Shale approximately once per month. I was never impressed with their service and at times turned off. I know what I search for and never really required attention or help, however, the simple greeting and courtesy was never there. They didn't do the best job differentiating themselves either from a product selection standpoint. However, one positive was that they always carried great mid to lower upper level quality fabrics and that was consistent.
ReplyDeleteAs a former frequent shopper @ Mark Shale and a Lenox visitor this weekend, I was sad to see it had closed. I miss seeing Bobby whom I trusted to give me his honest opinion about possible purchases. I visit Chicago occasionally and will look forward to seeing my friend Ned on Michigan Avenue. Alas, one less reason to visit Lenox.
ReplyDeleteI don't live in Atlanta so was never a frequent shopper at Mark Shale. However, there was one sales lady there who was terrific. My mother and I made a point of going into the store to see her (and buy clothes ofcourse.) I would hate to think of that nice woman reading about poor service on this site. I still have a fabulous suit I bought there in 1997 and it hasn't become dated. Really.
ReplyDeletei guess there wasn't enough "bling appeal" at mark shale to warrant it's spot at "club lenox" and it's p.diddy wannabe crowd. i couldn't imagine how annoying it would be to work at that mall.
ReplyDeleteit's full of hoodlems...all emulating rap videos while they drool over louis vuitton keychain rings they wish they could afford.
What are "hoodlems"?
ReplyDelete