SPARKS - Three stores at The Legends at Sparks Marina shopping mall have closed as part of a parent company effort to reduce costs, Legends officials said.
Jones Apparel Group Inc. shut down its Easy Spirit and Nine West outlets. The shoe and handbag stores closed last week, as did Kasper, which specializes in professional women's clothing.
"Obviously, it's disappointing any time you have store closures in a new shopping center, but it was a decision that was out of our hands," Legends general manager Dennis McGovern told the Reno Gazette-Journal.
"What's even more disappointing is when such decisions are made at the corporate level and you try everything in your power to save those deals but are unable to."
He said officials with Legends developer RED Development made several calls to try to keep the stores open.
Legends, a $1.1 billion project, had its grand opening a year ago.
Jones Apparel in April 2009 announced its intent to close about 225 stores and cut up to 1,000 jobs in an effort to save about $37 million through 2011. The company also markets such brands as Anne Klein, Gloria Vanderbilt and Jones New York.
The New York-based clothing maker last week reported its second-quarter profit almost doubled to $25.8 million, or 30 cents per share, up from $13.1 million, or 15 cents per share, in 2009.
Jones' revenue was $859.6 million for the quarter, up from $803.9 million a year earlier.