by Karen Brune Mathis
Managing Editor
Nordstrom Inc., the upscale fashion retailer that confirmed interest in Jacksonville in 2004 before the economy began its slide into recession, is back on the radar of speculation.
Some retail sources say word is spreading that Nordstrom is refreshing its look at a site in the St. Johns Town Center, where it initially was expected to land.
“We don’t get into speculation regarding new store opportunities unless we have something definitive to share,” said Nordstrom spokesman Colin Johnson at Seattle headquarters.
“We know we have lots of loyal customers in Jacksonville and we’re always keeping our eyes open for ways to better serve them, but we haven’t announced anything yet about a new Nordstrom there,” he said late Wednesday.
St. Johns Town Center developer Ben Carter said he had no comment when asked whether Nordstrom was looking at a site in the St. Johns Town Center, at Butler Boulevard near Florida 9A.
Nordstrom, with 214 stores in 29 states, does not have Jacksonville on the list of future store openings posted at www.nordstrom.com. No Florida site is on the list.
Nordstrom operates 16 stores in the state.
Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, Nordstrom operates 116 Nordstrom full-line stores, 95 Nordstrom Rack stores, two Jeffrey boutiques and one clearance store. Nordstrom also operates online and through its catalogs.
In Florida, Nordstrom operates full-line stores in Aventura, Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Palm Beach Gardens, Tampa and Wellington.
It has Rack stores in Aventura, Boca Raton, Kendall, Miami, Orlando, Sunrise and Tampa.
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