Apparel brand Tommy Bahama will open its first Marlin Bar in North Carolina, which will serve cocktails and local brews in addition to the store, when it debuts at the SouthPark mall in late 2024.
The Seattle-based company is opening Marlin Bar in the former McCormick & Schmick space, according to an official from mall owner and operator Simon Property Group. Simon also owns Concord Mills and Charlotte Premium Outlets.
Tommy Bahama’s Marlin Bar concept combines a bar and restaurant with a traditional retail store, selling men’s and women’s sportswear, swimwear, accessories and home furnishings. The bar and restaurant have both indoor and outdoor seating.
Tommy Bahama had no details on how many jobs it expects the Marlin Bar to create or how much it will invest in opening the Marlin Bar. Details about an opening date were also not yet available.
About Tommy Bahama
Oxford Industries Inc. owns Tommy Bahama and other apparel and lifestyle brands including Southern Tide, Lily Pulitzer and Duck Head. Last year, Tommy Bahama’s net sales of $898.8 million accounted for 57% of Oxford Industries Inc.’s consolidated net sales.
Tommy Bahama opened its first store in 1993 and just three years later opened its first restaurant and bar in Naples, Florida. Tommy Bahama now has 10 marlin bars, more than half of which are in Florida and California.
More at SouthPark shopping center
The Tommy Bahamas bar is the newest restaurant and bar expansion in the mall.
Last fall, Arthur’s restaurant, which has operated a restaurant on the lower level of Belk since 1990, opened a wine bar on the ground floor.
In May 2023, The Suffolk Punch Brewing debuted its second taphouse in the mall near Dick’s Sporting Goods and The Container Store as part of the mall’s multimillion-dollar West Plaza renovation. The plaza project includes a green space with a stage and an inclusive children’s playground.
Several luxury retailers have also opened in the past year, including Alexander McQueen, Brahmin,
and Louis Vuitton’s expansion into clothing and accessories.
More clothing and retail stores opening there include Ann Taylor, Balenciaga, Boss, Chanel Fragrance and Beauty, Coach and Vuori, along with Swiss watchmakers Breitling and Tudor, according to the mall’s website.
SouthPark, at 4400 Sharon Road, has 166 shops and restaurants.
Observer reporter Catherine Muccigrosso contributed to this report
