Georgia Entertainment Scene

NeNe Leakes’ Swagg Boutique at Sugarloaf Mills shutting down

NeNe Leakes' Swagg Boutique at Sugarloaf Mills is closing.
NeNe Leakes' Swagg Boutique at Sugarloaf Mills is closing.
Aug 6, 2020

NeNe Leakes’ Swagg Boutique is closing at Sugarloaf Mills in Lawrenceville.

Going-out-of-business signs festooned the outside of her store on a recent Tuesday afternoon. “All Sales Final,” said one sign. A second sign said “Fixtures For Sale.” Another: “50-75% Off.” The store was not open at the time.

Leakes, who has been on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” for much of the past 12 years, opened this location in November 2017 after closing her store in Buckhead. She lives near the mall, which includes a Bass Pro Shops, Burlington Coat Factory, Medieval Times, H&M and a Spencer’s Gifts.

She also owns Swagg Boutiques at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland and Miami Beach. Her Swagg Boutique website also still appears active.

Leakes is represented by JonesWorks, a publicity firm. A spokeswoman there, Jennifer Abel, did not respond for comment.

Leakes closed the Sugarloaf Mills store in March when malls shut down at the start of the pandemic and posted an Instagram video at the time about it. The store did eventually reopen, as did the mall, but brick-and-mortar retail sales for clothing stores have not recovered. Many chains have filed for bankruptcy protection in recent months including Men’s Warehouse, J. Crew, Neiman Marcus, J.C. Penney, Ann Taylor, Brooks Brothers and Lord & Taylor.

Her co-star Kandi Burruss opened her first TAGS Boutique in Smyrna in 2009, moved the store to Buckhead in 2012 and is now in the same location as her Old Lady Gang restaurant at 177 Peters Street in Castleberry Hill.

A sign outside NeNe Leakes' Swagg Boutique July 28, 2020 at Sugarloaf Mills in Lawrenceville.
A sign outside NeNe Leakes' Swagg Boutique July 28, 2020 at Sugarloaf Mills in Lawrenceville.
Swagg Boutique at Sugarloaf Mills on July 28, 2020.
Swagg Boutique at Sugarloaf Mills on July 28, 2020.
Swagg Boutique at Sugarloaf MIlls in Lawrencville on July 28, 2020.
Swagg Boutique at Sugarloaf MIlls in Lawrencville on July 28, 2020.

About the Author

Rodney Ho writes about entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution including TV, radio, film, comedy and all things in between. A native New Yorker, he has covered education at The Virginian-Pilot, small business for The Wall Street Journal and a host of beats at the AJC over 20-plus years. He loves tennis, pop culture & seeing live events.

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