Zara will open at SouthPark mall in 2026, marking the popular retailer's first store in NC

Zara will open at SouthPark mall in 2026, the mall confirmed Monday. This will be the popular retailer's first store in North Carolina.

Why it matters: Zara, a trendy Spanish clothing chain, has a feverish following. Fans for years have been clamoring for a local store.

• The nearest location to Charlotte is in Atlanta.

Zoom in: The SouthPark location will be next to Belk and Fink's Jewelers, in the space formerly occupied by Gap and J.Crew.

The big picture: The local expansion is part of the retailer's larger plan to open or revamp 30 stores in the U.S., according to Insider .

• Óscar García Maceiras, CEO of Zara's parent company Inditex, had indicated last year the new U.S. stores would open in 2025, Axios reported.
• Zara, a fast-fashion retailer, is known for its low-cost men's, women's and kid's clothing.

What they're saying: "Charlotteans have long awaited the arrival of Zara, and the buzz surrounding its opening at SouthPark mall is palpable," said Holly Roberson Van Cleave, director of marketing and business development at SouthPark, said in a statement.

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