Edward Beiner closes store in The Mall at University Town Center

UNIVERSITY PARK -- Edward Beiner, a South Miami-based upscale eyewear shop, shut its doors at The Mall at University Town Center for the last time Friday. It is the sixth retailer to leave the UTC mall since it opened in October 2014.

Representatives at Edward Beiner did not immediately return requests for comment.

Moleskine, a stationery store, also closed recently and its space is under construction for a new store to move in, said Mall at UTC general manager Octavio Ortiz.

At the end of December, Boston Proper, a boho apparel and swimwear store vacated its space when its parent company, Chico's, decided to sell the brand. According to a release on the Chico's website, Boston Proper was sold to Brentwood Associations, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm. Terms of the sale agreement were not disclosed.

Three other new stores are scheduled to build out in the mall within the next couple of months, Ortiz said, but added he was unable to disclose which retailers.

The Edward Beiner closure comes within a week of the Mall at UTC's parent company, Taubman Co., filing a lawsuit against Jacqueline Zumba for breaking her lease. Zumba closed her Mall at UTC store in October because of low foot traffic. Since the lawsuit was filed Jan. 12, Zumba has interviewed lawyers and is fig-

uring out next steps.

"I'm just trying to stay true to myself and hope for the best, basically," Zumba said.

"I hope we can end this in a timely manner and a reasonable manner and I hope it all works out in a respectable way."

Zumba was quoted from $25,000 to $100,000 for defense lawyer retainer fees. Zumba's company is small and Taubman Co. has a total market capitalization of more than $10 million according to the company's 2014 annual report.

To help pay for her legal fees, Zumba started a GoFundMe account.

Ondademar, a swimwear and swim accessories retailer, closed its Mall at UTC location in December to relocate to International Market Place in Waikiki, Hawaii. The island mall, set to open Aug. 25, is also a Taubman Co. property and is anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue and Grand Lanai.

Women's apparel retailer Cache closed in April after the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Janelle O'Dea, business reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7095. Follow her on Twitter @jayohday

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 11:50 PM with the headline "Edward Beiner closes store in The Mall at University Town Center ."