Two more outlet stores close

POST FALLS - Today two more stores at the North Idaho Factory Outlets in Post Falls are to close.

Bass Shoes and Clothing and Van Heusen clothing factory outlets have going out of business sales running through today. Signs on both announced that all sales there are final.

The factory outlets complex runs on both sides of Riverbend Road, and sits just on the south side of Interstate 90.

Advantage Marketing Group LLC, Blue Dog RV, Dance Me Cassini are continuing to occupy spaces there.

There are three remaining retailers: Kitchen Collection, Oriental Foods and Gifts and Martial Arts Supplies, and L'eggs Hanes Bali. The three all had signs on their doors Thursday reading "This store is not closing."

The adjacent Post Falls Factory Stores just to the east, and on the south side of Riverbend, has four businesses open. The factory stores Aquatic Dreams, The Cabin Restaurant, Ace Title Loans and Northwest Title Loans are all occupying space.

The total factory outlet complex has more than 50 tenant spaces, and now only 10 are occupied. The complex has roughly 200,000 square feet of floor space.

Many observers have said in the past that the outlets are destined to fail due to being sandwiched between the Spokane Valley Mall and Walmart. Others have said the outlet concept was a fad and that people began to realize they really weren't getting such hot deals.

On the positive side, some have said the complex is laid out well for retail, the mall has great access from I-90, and it's attractive and convenient to Canadian shoppers when the Canadian dollar is strong against the U.S. dollar.