Macy’s to open 2nd Puerto Rico store in Ponce
Macy’s has been an anchor tenant at Plaza las Américas since 2000. (Credit: www.plazalasamericas.com)
Twelve years after making its local debut, retailer Macy’s Inc. announced Friday plans to open a new store in Ponce, in the fall of 2015. The two-level, 150,000 square-foot store will be located in Plaza del Caribe, owned by Empresas Fonalledas.
Macy’s Ponce store will include an assortment of fashion goods for women, men, children and home that is “tailored to the preferences of the Puerto Rican customer,” store officials said.
Construction is expected to begin in 2014. Macy’s Ponce store is expected to employ a workforce of approximately 275 associates. The investment required to build the new store was not revealed.
The arrival of the new store in the south does not come without controversy. Late Thursday, the Ponce municipal assembly granted the high-end retailer a $770,000 construction tax exemption, which detractors said goes against the town’s best interest and is in detriment to the area’s small retailers.
“We look forward to the opportunity to serve the large and dynamic market in southern, central and western Puerto Rico with the distinctive fashion, great value and exciting shopping experience for which Macy’s is well known,” said Peter Sachse, Macy’s chief stores officer.
“Macy’s has been warmly received by María Meléndez Altieri, Mayor of Ponce, and her staff. We appreciate their support, and look forward to Macy’s being a good employer and involved citizen of the Ponce community,” he said.
Macy’s has an existing location in Plaza Las Américas — another Empresas Fonalledas property — which opened in 2000.
