Now, however, A&F says it is returning to the "50-yard line" of Seattle shopping and will take the 14,000 former Gap space at Fourth Avenue and Pine Street with plans of opening doors there before Thanksgiving. The Gap, which experienced consistent traffic flows at the southwest corner location, has moved one block south to open its new superstore in the corner spot formerly occupied by Jay Jacobs apparel.

A&F, the Reynoldsburg, Ohio-based retailer known for its appeal to young people, reported late last week that total sales for the five weeks ended April 7 rose 23% to $104.1 million from $84.3 million last year. The stock (NYSE: ANF) was trading in the $31 range this morning, down about 75 cents from Friday's close.