Brookline's Gap In Coolidge Corner To Close After 19 Years

BROOKLINE, MA —After nearly two decades in Coolidge Corner the Gap store is set to close permanently on Jan. 10.

The Gap first opened in the Brookline area in 1988 and moved to a new location in April 2001 and have been there since.

Brookline is one of several in the area to close, including the Wellesley location and the Gap at Burlington Mall. A corporate spokesperson for Gap said the closings were part of a strategy to grow its online business.

Gap employees told customers that the landlord raised the rent.

Kara Brewton of Brookline's economic planning department said the town was aware of the closing.

She said the closing could be an "opportunity for local business expansion like Curds and Co's [recent expansion] into the expanded Booksmith."

Natick and Dedham will stay open for now.

But this might not be the end of the brick-and-mortar closings. The spokesperson said the company planned to make more decisions on closing "stores that don't fit our vision for the future of Gap Inc" in an effort to strengthen the health of the company.

In November the company appointed a new "Chief Growth Officer." Also in November the company reported net sales were flat year-over-year during its third quarter, reflecting a 61 percent increase in online sales, offset by a 20 percent decline in store sales.

In August, the company closed the Banana Republics at South Shore Plaza, Northshore and at Chestnut Hill, and the Janie & Jack at South Shore Plaza, and the Gap at Copley Place.

Until Jan. 10, the store is offering 30 to 60 percent off for customers.

No word on what will replace the store in 2021. What would you like to see there? Comment below.