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Sports Authority will close Feb. 21 at Bridge Street Town Centre. (Lucy Berry | lberry@al.com)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Alabama's only Sports Authority store at Bridge Street Town Centre in Huntsville is preparing to close late next month.

Sports Authority will close Feb. 21 at Bridge Street Town Centre. (Lucy Berry | lberry@al.com)

Justine Leffler, visual merchandising manager of the 42,000-square-foot chain store, confirmed the Huntsville location will shut down Feb. 21. Clearance items are currently on sale for an additional 40-percent off, with increased discounts expected during the next few weeks.

Leffler said the closure will affect about 15 part- and full-time employees. She doesn't anticipate Sports Authority will reopen in Alabama anytime soon as the retailer eliminates single stores that aren't close to other Sports Authority locations.

"We are all really sad to go," said Leffler, who learned about the closure after Christmas. "When we found out, we were shocked, but it's kind of one of those things you have no control over. You just have to go with the flow."

Sports Authority is based in Englewood, Colo., and operates more than 450 stores in 45 states. The Huntsville location opened in 2009.

AL.com is working to gather details about the future of the space, which is on 6890 Governors West N.W., next to Bed Bath & Beyond. Bridge Street Town Centre spokesman Van Geroux deferred all questions to Sports Authority's corporate office.

Bridge Street, an outdoor mixed-use project that opened in November 2007, welcomed a $20 million Belk, three parking areas, PANDORA, Michael Kors, Orvis, Kate Spade New York and Dickey's Barbecue Pit in 2014.

Several new businesses are on tap for an early 2015 opening, including Texas de Brazil (Jan. 21), BRAVO! Cucina Italiana (Jan. 29), SHADES (February or March), Steel City Pops (early April) and BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (summer).

"More tenant announcements to come in February," Geroux said.