Landlords Object to Burlington Replacing Saks Off 5th at Georgia Outlet Mall

Owners say switch 'will destroy' the center's high-end image and tenant mix

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:11am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A minimalist, photorealistic studio still life featuring a single premium handbag displayed on a polished chrome stand, symbolizing the importance of high-end retail curation for landlords.The careful 'curation' of luxury retail tenants is crucial to maintaining an outlet mall's upscale brand identity.Woodstock Today

Saks Global is facing objections from the owners of The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta in Woodstock, Georgia, over plans to replace a Saks Off 5th anchor store with a Burlington location. The landlords argue that Burlington, an off-price retailer, does not fit the high-end, luxury brand image of the outlet mall and will 'destroy' its positioning. They also claim the change will trigger co-tenancy clauses allowing other tenants like J.Crew to pay lower rents.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of 'retail curation' for landlords, who carefully select anchor tenants and smaller retailers to cultivate a specific brand image and shopping experience at their properties. Replacing a luxury off-price anchor like Saks Off 5th with a discount retailer like Burlington is seen as a major threat to the outlet mall's identity and ability to attract high-end shoppers and tenants.

The details

The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta, owned by CBL Properties and Horizon Group Properties, is seeking to block Saks Global from assigning its unexpired 25,000-square-foot lease for a Saks Off 5th anchor space to Burlington Stores. The landlords argue that a Burlington location would 'destroy' the mall's image as a home to 'luxury and near-luxury brands.' They also claim Burlington is not a permitted use for the anchor site and its arrival could trigger co-tenancy clauses allowing other tenants like J.Crew to pay lower rents.

  • Saks Off 5th opened at the outlet mall when it debuted in 2013.
  • Saks Global is currently going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and closing nearly all of its Saks Off 5th locations.

The players

The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta

An outdoor outlet mall located in Woodstock, Georgia, owned by CBL Properties and Horizon Group Properties.

Saks Global

The parent company of Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Saks Off 5th, which is going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closing most of its Saks Off 5th stores.

Burlington Stores

An off-price retail chain that has bid $22 million to take over 22 Saks Off 5th store leases as part of the bankruptcy proceedings.

J.Crew

A preppy clothing brand that is a tenant at The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta and has objected to the potential arrival of Burlington, arguing it would violate the mall's co-tenancy clause.

Andrew Pelmoter

An executive vice president at Horizon Group Properties, the co-owner of The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The shopping center's anchor concept and tenant mix were built around Off 5th as an anchor tenant. The shopping center would not have been built without Off 5th as an anchor tenant and Burlington would never be in consideration for that space.”

— Andrew Pelmoter, Executive Vice President, Horizon Group Properties

“Burlington does not sell its own brands, and many of the brands it carries are those of companies that have gone out of business where only the intellectual property of the defunct company remains. Outlet shoppers recognize this distinction, and Burlington's presence would diminish the shopping center's positioning as a high-end manufacturer outlet destination.”

— Andrew Pelmoter, Executive Vice President, Horizon Group Properties

“If the anchor profile shifts drastically from Off 5th, a high-end outlet anchor, to Burlington, many brands may refuse to renew leases or may otherwise reconsider their continued presence at the shopping center.”

— Andrew Pelmoter, Executive Vice President, Horizon Group Properties

What’s next

The bankruptcy court will decide whether to allow Saks Global to assign the Saks Off 5th lease to Burlington, which the mall owners argue would violate the property's high-end tenant mix and brand identity.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the delicate balance landlords must strike in 'curating' the right retail mix at their properties, especially at high-end outlet malls. Replacing a luxury anchor tenant with a discount retailer is seen as a major threat to the shopping experience and brand image that landlords have carefully cultivated.