THE Stussy store at Pacific Plaza, which has resided for 12 years in the Scotts Road mall, has closed this month.

The American streetwear label, which occupied a ground-floor unit and was one of the mall's longest-staying tenants, will make way for local multi-label boutique Avana.

The latter will move out of its location in a nearby mall and take up two units in Pacific Plaza - which accounts for almost 2,300 sq ft of space.

Stussy's lease expired in mid-July and local firm World Tribe, which holds the label here, decided not to extend it because rent had gone up by more than 30 per cent, said director Ginny Chng.

She said: "The rent is too high for me and I just want to move on."

But Stussy fans need not fear, as World Tribe will continue to sell the brand at its Flash and Splash outlet at CityLink Mall - which will re-open after renovations on Aug 8 - as well as at The Heeren.

It will also convert its Rip Curl store at Pacific Plaza to a Flash and Splash one, and open another in ION Orchard.

Mrs Chng does not rule out setting up another Stussy outlet here, but the company is still looking for the right location.

Far East Organization, which owns Pacific Plaza, said Avana's first-floor unit will start business in October. It will feature brands like Alchemist and D.E.P.T from the Netherlands, as well as the Whiite label from Copenhagen.

Avana will also take up a third-floor unit, which will feature cocktail dresses and evening wear from designers such as Jessica McClintock and Renato Nucci. This will open in late January.

Starbucks will also open an outlet outside the mall, adding to the street life around Pacific Plaza.

Mr George Khoo, chief operating officer of the retail business group at Far East Organization, said Pacific Plaza remains very much a destination for the young affluent.

He added: "With just 40,000 sq ft, we are careful with our tenants to ensure a finely-tuned equilibrium that will continue to draw our well-heeled crowd."

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