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For years it has been a destination for the city's elite women who robed themselves in Armani, Dolce & Gabanna, Stella McCartney and Jimmy Choo.

But customers' chances to browse the work of top designers at Coplon's are numbered. The luxury women's boutique is closing its Greensboro store, a casualty of stagnating business and progress.

The owners, brothers Hank and Bruce Greenberg, accepted an offer to close the business after their landlord was presented with a deal to use the land for another business, Hank Greenberg said.

"The long-term plans for Greensboro were unclear," he added, noting the 13-year-old store at 1951 Battleground Ave. was not as productive as other Coplon's locations.

One reason may be that more of the Gate City's affluent women have been traveling to update their wardrobes. "Not a day goes by in the Charlotte store when I don't see someone from Greensboro," Greenberg said.

In recent years, the Queen City has come into its own as a shopping and fashion destination, with a night scene that cultivates "competitive dressing," he said.

"Charlotte is as fashionable and luxurious as any city in America now," Greenberg said.

And that new status is drawing high-end customers, especially with the lure of Charlotte's Neiman Marcus department store.

But the Coplon's closing could be an opening for women who aspire to the luxury market. The store's closing sale, expected to last about a month, will feature designers and merchandise brought in for the event. And the prices - still astronomical for women more accustomed to shopping in big box and department stores - have been slashed, down 50 percent to 70 percent in some instances.

"We wanted to go out with a bang and leave a good taste in everyone's mouth," Greenberg said.

Shopping centers at Friendly to open 5 stores

A quintet of new stores are set to open by the end of 2008 at Friendly Center and the Shops at Friendly Center.

* Upscale kitchen accessory store Williams-Sonoma will open a new store in Friendly Center, next to the planned location of the Apple Store.

* A new AT&T store will open in the spot formerly occupied by Sharon Luggage and Gifts, near Old Navy in Friendly Center.

The location will be an AT&T Experience Store, said Brad Rogers, the general manager for Friendly Center. The AT&T Experience Store, expected to open around mid-September, is designed to showcase the company's portfolio of services in a retail setting.

* Carter's, which carries clothes for infants and children, will open beside Old Navy in Friendly Center, in the location formerly occupied by Foot Locker.

* Oreck, the vacuum cleaner company, will open a store at the Shops at Friendly Center later this year. The store will be next to Sports Clips salon near DSW and ULTA.

* Yankee Candle, the retailer known for its fragrant candles and home aromas, will open a store at the Shops at Friendly Center beside Francesca's Collections.

Friendly promotion lets shoppers earn gift cards

A shopping trip can be draining to body and bank account.

But Friendly Center and the Shops at Friendly Center is offering a little treat to shoppers who spend at least $200 with one of their retailers.

If you spend $200 or more in one day at either shopping center, take your receipts to the Marketing Office at 3110 Kathleen Ave. You'll be eligible to choose a $10 gift certificate from selected retailers.

This month, the shoppers can choose between a gift certificate to Toys & Co. or Bravo! Cucina Italiana. The options will change for September and October.

There is a catch: All the purchases have to be made on the same day and purchases made at grocery and department stores are excluded. The promotion ends Oct. 31.

Klaussnerhome open in Wendover Village

Klaussnerhome, a home furnishings store, has opened in Wendover Village beside Costco and Circuit City.

The 25,000-square-foot store, at 4217 W. Wendover Ave., opened in late July and will celebrate its grand opening with promotions through Oct. 24.

Savvy Shoppers unite at the Bargain Blog at news-record.com. Do you have a retail news or shopping tips for Savvy Shopper? Contact Lanita Withers at 373-7071 or lanita.withers@news-record.com