Trying Not To Be Bitter
H&M finally coming to Texas, but Dallas gets first dibs
It just figures. Dallas gets H&M first.
After years of speculation, the Swedish-based cheap chic retailer is set to open in NorthPark Center in Dallas the second half of 2011. It’s not soon enough to gobble up Lanvin’s limited collection hitting stores Nov. 23, but it does seem to give hope that Houston will be next on the list.
Traditionally, the chain opens multiple stores in a city — it has 10 in New York City and Chicago, five in Atlanta and three in St. Louis — and once in the Lone Star state, it makes sense that Houston will be too big to pass up.
"H&M believes strongly in the Texas market and looks forward to bringing fashion-forward style to consumers in the area," the chain said in a press release. It made no mention of any Texas cities besides Dallas.
There is little information on when and where H&M might light locally, but some ideas range from the soon-to-be-vacated space Barnes&Noble occupies in the Centre at Post Oak and CityCentre to West Ave. and perhaps the Pavilions, although it’s likely Forever 21 wouldn’t like that plan too much. There is always The Galleria and surely Simon Properties would like nothing more than to spruce up Galleria III with an H&M, since it’s doubtful shoppers head there because of the barbecue.
Calls have been made and e-mails sent to H&M as well as local commercial real estate contacts, so hopefully future locations will be made public soon.
Let’s just hope at least one of them is in Houston.