It's not the Nordstrom local fashionistas have long pined for, but Tucson is getting a Nordstrom Rack.
Nordstrom Rack, a discount division of the upscale Nordstrom department store chain, will open in a newly developed shopping center across the street from Tucson Mall in the fall of 2011, the company announced Friday.
It will be Arizona's fourth Nordstrom Rack location. There are stores in Scottsdale and Chandler, and a third is scheduled to open this year in Peoria.
The new single-level 33,200-square-foot store in Tucson will occupy a spot in The Corner, a shopping center on the southeast corner of North Oracle and Wetmore roads. Total Wine & More is already in the center. The center is just north of The Home Depot and Ultimate Electronics.
Though it's not a regular full-line Nordstrom store, Marshall Vest, an economist at the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management, says the arrival of Nordstrom Rack is a sign that Tucson has "joined the big leagues."
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"The name is great for Tucson," he said.
"Consumers are opening their wallets again and the reports I'm getting from employers is that they are hiring, including in Tucson," Vest said. "The timing might just be really good."
Seattle-based Nordstrom has 190 stores in 28 states, including 74 Nordstrom Racks. It plans to open 17 Nordstrom Racks in 2010 and at least six in 2011.
The Corner's owners and developers from Bourn Partners say that in addition to Nordstrom Rack, another 24,000 square feet of space in The Corner will be filled with "compatible restaurants and retailers."
Paul Schloss, a principal with Bourn Partners, says construction on the new Nordstrom Rack building will begin later this year.
Schloss calls the area a huge tax generator for Southern Arizona because it includes the Tucson Mall and the Tucson Auto Mall, among other businesses.
"It's going to be a contributor to the community's tax base," he said. "It's a retailer with credibility and we're thrilled we're getting it here as part of our project. It brings a lot of value to the consumer."
As for the fashion mavens hoping for a full, non-discount Nordstrom store, that will have to wait for now. There are two "full-line" Nordstrom stores in Arizona, in Scottsdale and Chandler.
"Maybe someday but right now there's no full-line store in Tucson on our list of future stores," Nordstrom spokesman Colin Johnson says. "That may disappoint some customers and we're sorry about that. We're just not sure in terms of the volume needed to support it at this time. But we'll keep our eyes open."
3 reasons why getting a Nordstrom Rack is good for Tucson:
1. Economic development.
The store is expected to employ about 70 people. Building the store will provide construction jobs. It will also contribute to the local tax base.
"It's in a newly developed center in an area that's very convenient and accessible and in the middle of what we regard as a dominant retail market in the Southern Arizona area," says Nordstrom spokesman Colin Johnson.
2. More retail choice for Tucsonans.
The store will carry clearance merchandise from Nordstrom stores and from Nordstrom.com at 50 to 60 percent off original Nordstrom prices. Nordstrom Rack also carries many of the brands of apparel, accessories and shoes carried in Nordstrom but they are purchased specially for Nordstrom Rack, with savings of 30 to 70 percent, company officials say.
3. Shoppers tend to like the selection, designer labels and value.
Reviews from Scottsdale and Chandler Nordstrom Rack shoppers on Yelp.com are mostly positive. Some samples:
"It makes sense to graze through here first, before paying full price for the same thing somewhere else."
"Employees are consistently walking around restocking things or fielding questions and The Rack puts an appropriate number of people at the registers so that lines move quicker."
"You'll pay mid-line prices for designer merchandise. $700 Armani suit? $300 at the Rack. $600 Burberry sportcoat? $250 at the Rack. $30 pair of designer underwear? $10 at the Rack."
"Nordstrom Rack … I heart thee! Seriously, i'm not a fan of discount stores but how can I not buy designer jeans for $70 and cute plastic belts that were originally $75 for $30."
"Went yesterday and got the hottest pair of red patent leather peep toe Cole Haan heels. They were originally $275 marked down to $99!"
Contact reporter Stephanie Innes at 573-4134 or sinnes@azstarnet.com