Gucci To Close Seattle Store

In another blow to the pride and prestige of Seattle's downtown retail core, Gucci has decided to close its store here Jan. 31.

The move by the internationally known seller of luxury items, which first opened in the U.S. Bank Centre in late 1989, had been rumored for several months.

Brian Blake, director of stores for Gucci in New Jersey, explained the closure by saying he considers Seattle a viable market but that sales here haven't "quite met expectations."

Gucci, which sells chic and expensive purses, footwear, scarves, accessories, jewelry and clothing, will be the third upscale store to close downtown in the past two years, joining the larger Frederick & Nelson department store that closed last year, and I. Magnin, an apparel store that closed in early summer.

No new tenant has been found for Gucci's 5,200-square-foot space in one of the city's newest office towers, said Susan Zimmerman, a retail specialist with CB Commercial Real Estate Services.

She said the company has been trying to sublet the space at 1420 Fifth Ave. (in the former Pacific First Centre) the past 18 months.

New Jersey-based Gucci has been in turmoil for several years and was sold to a Bahrain-based investment firm in September.

Gucci reportedly was near liquidation before the sale.

Several of its other stores in the United States have been closed.

Gucci employs five people in Seattle.