Charlotte Russe is bringing clothing, shoes and accessories to the Oaks Mall this weekend — all available at a 10-percent discount to UF and Santa Fe College students.
The California-based retail chain is launching a grand opening event today at 10 a.m. that will extend through 6 p.m. Sunday. Customers will be able to grab coupons at the store’s entrance for a chance to win special offers and a $150 shopping spree, said assistant manager Sara Lewis.
The student discount is not limited to Charlotte Russe’s opening weekend, Lewis said, and will be available permanently with the presentation of a valid school ID.
The new store is located near Belk, across from American Eagle and next to Buckle. Charlotte Russe has more than 500 stores across the U.S. and is based out of San Diego.
"We’re really excited to be a part of this mall, and we’re confident we’ll be successful," Lewis said.
Elizabeth Bonet, assistant manager of the Charlotte Russe in Ocala’s Paddock Mall, said the new Gainesville store will be successful because of the number of college girls in town.
"We have a lot of customers over here coming from Gainesville to the Ocala location, so now they don’t have to travel all the way over here," Bonet said.
Bonet said women ages 13 and older shop in her store, and she said it is almost always busy.
Charlotte Russe is not the only new women’s apparel store opening at Oaks Mall this semester — Houston-based Charming Charlie is set to open Oct. 27. The accessory retailer sells women’s jewelry, sunglasses, shoes and handbags and separates items by color throughout the store. The boutique has more than 200 locations nationwide.
Sara Morrison, 22, said she isn’t looking forward to Charlotte Russe’s opening because she thinks its style is more suitable for younger girls.
Morrison said she’s more excited for Charming Charlie.
"I don’t think the mall has something like this," Morrison said of Charming Charlie.
UF style guru Aleksandrea Djokoto, who blogs for College Fashionista, said she wants to go to the Charlotte Russe launch party.
"I think it’s going to be successful because the Oaks Mall doesn’t have a lot of options," she said.
[A version of this story ran on page 1 on 9/26/2014]
