Nordstrom to open at Woodlands Mall in 2014

The Woodlands Mall officially announced Sept. 4 what has been rumored for months: Nordstrom is opening a full-line store in the space currently occupied by Sears.

The two-story, 138,000-square-foot store is scheduled to open in the fall of 2014 and will be the fourth Houston-area Nordstrom.

" We're grateful for the response and support we've received from our Houston customers since we first opened at the Galleria in 2003," said Erik Nordstrom, president of stores for Nordstrom, Inc. "We feel very fortunate that this space became available at a terrific location like The Woodlands Mall, and our hope is that adding a store here will make it easier and more convenient for more customers to shop with us."

Nordstrom is a fashion specialty store offering women's, men's and children's clothing, shoes and accessories. The store was founded in 1901 and currently operates 231 stores in 31 states.

Colin Johnson, spokesperson for Nordstrom, declined to say how long the company had been in talks with General Growth Properties, the company that owns and operates The Woodlands Mall and Sears, in bringing Nordstrom to the mall. He said the goal in opening in The Woodlands was to serve the north Houston population.

" We want to do a better job of serving more customers in the Houston area, and The Woodlands will give us a terrific opportunity to do just that," Johnson said.

Nordstrom operates three stores in the Houston area, including a full-line store at the Houston Galleria, the Centre at Post Oak and the Market At Town Center.

" We are thrilled to add Nordstrom to The Woodlands Mall, furthering it as premier retail and dining destination in the greater Houston area," said Sandeep Mathrani, chief executive officer of GGP.