ATLANTA - Atlanta-based American Retail Group Inc. (ARG) has closed its Uptons department store chain as part of a strategic repositioning. The company will focus on ARG's specialty retail store chains, which include Eastern Mountain Sports Inc., Hub Distributing Inc. and Maurices Inc. The move is effective immediately, although the chain's 75 stores will remain open until all inventory is sold.

Uptons stores occupy 50,000 sq. ft. to 60,000 sq. ft., primarily in community centers in Southeastern states. Among other markets affected by ARG's move, metro Atlanta had been preparing for three now-canceled Uptons' openings at the Mall of Georgia, Lenox Marketplace and Arbor Place.