Spencer's leaving Bradenton’s DeSoto Square Mall

Another national retail chain is leaving the DeSoto Square Mall.

Spencer’s, known for its raunchy merchandise such as sex toys and politically incorrect T-shirts, is closing. On Black Friday, there were signs in the store windows advertising discounts of up to 50% off, and store fixtures and equipment for sale.

The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday, and mall general manager Trina Silenzi did not return a phone call requesting more information.

Spencer’s merchandise includes lingerie, body jewelry, gag gifts, home accessories like lava lamps and drinkware that offers pretty much everything you could possibly need for a game of beer pong.

The retailer, which has brick-and-mortar stores exclusively in malls, is owned by Spencer Spirit Holdings Inc. of New Jersey, which also operates Spirit Halloween stores. Spencer’s also has a store at Sarasota Square mall at U.S. 41 and Beneva Road.

In 2019, DeSoto Square has lost several national tenants, including Kay Jewelers, Charlotte Russe, Payless ShoeSource and Victoria’s Secret. In March, Silenzi filed notices to evict six tenants on the grounds that they failed to pay rent in various amounts.

Current national tenants include JCPenney, Bath & Body Works, Champs Sports, Rack Room Shoes and Hot Topic. Other retailers include Jenny’s Wigs, Gentlemen’s Choice and Perfume Collection, to name a few.

DeSoto Owners LLC is registered to Meyer Lebovits of Brooklyn, New York.

The 96,685-square-foot Sears building, vacated in early 2019 after a corporate closure, was sold in March for $6.75 million to Madison Capital Group of Charlotte, North Carolina. The seller was Seritage SRC Finance LLC of New York.

The mall’s owner, DeSoto Owners LLC, is facing a foreclosure lawsuit that was initially filed in August 2018.

DeSoto’s mortgage lender, Romspen US Master Mortgage LP, alleges that as of June 1, 2018, the mall’s owed $21.79 million of the $22.85 million mortgage note it received in March 2017.

A half-day trial is scheduled for Jan. 30 at 1:30 p.m.

A group from Tampa-based JLL is working on a complete reimagining of the site, which could include major physical plant changes, housing and retail.