First Retail Shops Open at Epps Bridge Centre

Old Navy store manager Eilis Forrester says there will be a grand opening at the Epps Bridge Centre store Aug. 23-25.  Forrester began her career with the company at the store in Athens Promenade 10 years ago as a part-time sales associate.


Two Epps Bridge Centre retailers have opened their doors for business. 

Gap and Old Navy each held soft openings Wednesday evening, Aug. 14, and were welcomed by waves of shoppers.

Neither store is new to the area, however. Both relocated from Athens-Clarke County, leaving vacant storefronts in the Athens Promenade shopping center on Atlanta Highway and inside Georgia Square Mall.

Gap is celebrating the move with a grand opening on Thursday, Aug. 15, and Old Navy will follow suit with festivities next weekend, Aug. 23-25.

A third Gap Inc. brand, Banana Republic, is still putting the finishing touches on its Epps Bridge Centre shop, which is expected to open soon.

Giant "Coming Soon" signs are draped outside of several other buildings in the new shopping center. Much progress has been made at Marshalls, Dick's Sporting Goods, Off Broadway Shoes and Ultra Cosmetics.

Glenn Gulley of PetSmart revealed via twitter that the new store's grand opening is slated for Sept. 14, but it may open sometime during the week of Labor Day.

Five Below, which offers merchandise ranging in price from $1 to $5, will hold its grand opening on Sept. 27.

Pier 1 Imports at 3725 Atlanta Highway has been advertising a moving sale, and signs on its door state that its upcoming Epps Bridge Centre location will open in mid-September.

University 16 Cinemas had its film cutting back in June.