Ross, a national retailer, recently signed a lease to move into the Durango Mall.
An email from Ross’ investor relations office confirmed a lease has been signed for space, but it did not provide a timeline for the store opening.
Ross plans to move into a 22,000-square-foot space near T.J. Maxx, an area that has been vacant for about 15 years, said Jack Llewellyn, executive director of the Durango Chamber of Commerce.
The addition of the store provides more options for shoppers and can give them an alternative to driving out of town to shop, he said
When residents leave town to make purchases, it can take away from sales tax collections that fund city government services.
“Anytime you can add retail, especially of this magnitude, it helps prevent retail leakage,” he said.
When Ross opens, it will bring the total number of stores at the mall to 21, according to the online listing.
Ross sells discounted clothing, accessories and shoes.
One of the mall’s larger stores, Sports Authority, left a large vacancy near the center of the mall when it closed last summer.
The chain closed all of its stores after filing for bankruptcy in May.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
