You know that feeling when you walk into a store, see a price tag, and actually laugh out loud because it’s so high? Yeah, we’ve all been there. But honestly, Burlington Coat Factory in Fayetteville North Carolina is kind of the opposite of that experience. It’s one of those places where you walk in looking for a specific pair of socks and walk out three hours later with a designer trench coat, a set of high-end cookware, and a giant plush dog bed you didn't know you needed.
Fayetteville is a military town. Between the massive presence of Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) and the sprawling suburban neighborhoods, people here are busy. They want value. They want brands. But nobody wants to pay mall prices at the Cross Creek Mall across the street if they don't have to. That’s where the Burlington on Skibo Road comes into play. It’s a staple.
Why Everyone Heads to Skibo Road
The main location for Burlington Coat Factory in Fayetteville North Carolina sits right in the heart of the city’s busiest retail corridor. If you aren't from around here, Skibo Road is basically the "everything" street. It’s packed. It’s chaotic. It’s where you go when you need to get stuff done.
Unlike a traditional department store where everything is organized by brand and displayed with perfect lighting, Burlington is a treasure hunt. That’s the draw. You’re digging through racks. You’re looking for that one "off-price" gem that fell through the cracks of high-end retail distribution. Because Burlington operates as an off-price retailer, they buy excess inventory from big-name designers and sell it at a fraction of the cost.
It’s not just coats.
People still call it the "Coat Factory," even though the company officially dropped that part of the name years ago. It's just Burlington now. But old habits die hard in Fayetteville. If you ask a local where the best place to find a winter jacket is before a sudden North Carolina cold snap, they’re still going to point you toward that big red sign.
Navigating the Fayetteville Layout
The store layout at the Skibo Road location is massive. It’s spread out in a way that can feel overwhelming if you haven't had your coffee yet. Usually, you’ve got the ladies' section taking up a huge chunk of the floor, transitioning into the "Big and Tall" and men’s suits.
One thing most people overlook? The home goods section.
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Seriously. While everyone is fighting over the sneakers in the back, the home aisles are usually stocked with heavy-duty cast iron pans, imported olive oils, and some surprisingly decent furniture. It’s weirdly eclectic. You might find a high-end Italian coffee maker sitting right next to a set of plastic lawn gnomes.
The Fort Liberty Effect
Fayetteville is different from Raleigh or Charlotte. The military influence is everywhere. You see it in the shopping patterns at Burlington Coat Factory in Fayetteville North Carolina.
During PCS (Permanent Change of Station) season, the store gets hit hard. Families are moving in from all over the world. They need to outfit new houses. They need rugs. They need curtains. Burlington becomes a lifeline for military families trying to make a government housing unit feel like a real home on a budget.
There's also the "winter prep" rush.
North Carolina weather is famously indecisive. It’ll be 70 degrees on Tuesday and 28 degrees with ice on Thursday. When those first frost warnings hit the local news, the coat racks at Burlington vanish. If you wait until the first snow flurry to go looking for a heavy parka, you’re basically looking at empty hangers. Pro tip: shop for your winter gear in October, even if it feels ridiculous to buy a wool coat when you're still wearing flip-flops.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Inventory
A common myth is that everything at Burlington is "damaged" or "seconds." That’s just not true. While you might find the occasional irregular item—usually marked with a specific tag—most of the inventory is just overstock.
Retailers like Macy’s or Nordstrom might order 10,000 units of a Michael Kors handbag. If they only sell 8,000, those remaining 2,000 have to go somewhere to make room for the next season. Burlington buys that surplus. You’re getting the exact same quality, just six months later or without the fancy tissue paper and the $300 price tag.
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Another thing? The "Designer" rack.
Every Burlington has a section, usually near the front or tucked into the ladies' dresses, where the higher-end labels live. We’re talking Calvin Klein, Anne Klein, and sometimes even higher-tier European brands. In Fayetteville, these items move fast. The local "deal hunters" know the delivery schedules. If you show up on a Tuesday morning, you’re seeing the fresh stock. By Saturday afternoon? It’s picked over.
The Logistics of Shopping on Skibo Road
Let's talk about the parking lot. It’s a nightmare. Honestly.
If you’re planning to visit Burlington Coat Factory in Fayetteville North Carolina on a Saturday afternoon, bring your patience. The Skibo Road traffic is legendary for being frustrating. The parking lot is shared with other major retailers, and the flow of traffic isn't great.
Best Times to Visit:
- Tuesday - Thursday mornings: This is when the store is cleanest and the shelves are being restocked.
- Late weekday evenings: Usually an hour or two before closing, the crowds thin out significantly.
- Avoid: Payday weekends and the first Saturday of the month. It’s a zoo.
The checkout lines can also get pretty long. Because the store handles everything from tiny earrings to giant area rugs, the line moves at its own pace. Don't expect a "quick in and out" experience during peak hours. It’s more of a marathon than a sprint.
Beyond the Coats: The Baby Depot
For a lot of Fayetteville parents, the Baby Depot inside Burlington is the real MVP. Raising kids is expensive. Buying a stroller that costs as much as a used car is just not an option for everyone.
The Baby Depot section carries the big stuff:
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- Cribs and nursery furniture.
- High-end car seats (Graco, Safety 1st, etc.).
- Strollers and travel systems.
- More onesies than you can count.
The prices here consistently beat the big-box department stores. Plus, they often have a layaway program, which is a bit of a rarity in the modern "buy now, pay later" digital age. It’s a more traditional way to manage a budget, and a lot of locals still swear by it.
Is It Worth the Trip?
If you’re the kind of person who needs a curated, aesthetic shopping experience with someone bringing you champagne while you try on shoes, Burlington isn't for you. It’s loud. It’s busy. Sometimes a kid is crying in aisle four.
But if you value the "win" of finding a $120 pair of jeans for $24, it’s paradise.
The Burlington Coat Factory in Fayetteville North Carolina reflects the city itself—unpretentious, hardworking, and full of hidden surprises. You just have to be willing to look.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
To get the most out of your trip to the Fayetteville Burlington, stop treating it like a normal store. It’s a tactical mission.
- Check the "End Caps": These are the displays at the ends of the aisles. They often hold the most recent markdowns or the weirdest "limited time" stock that won't be there tomorrow.
- Inspect Everything: Since it’s a high-volume store, things get dropped or handled a lot. Check your zippers. Look for missing buttons. Most of the time it's fine, but a 30-second inspection saves you a return trip.
- Download the App: They don't have a traditional "loyalty card" that you swipe, but their digital presence can help you track gift cards or see if there are any specific store-wide promotions running.
- Head to the Back First: The clearance racks are almost always tucked into the far corners of the store. If you start at the front, you might fill your cart with "regular" priced items before you see the $5 steals in the back.
- Bring Your Own Bags: Like many retailers now, they’re pushing for more sustainable habits, and having a sturdy tote is better than wrestling with the thin plastic ones if you’re buying heavy items.
Shopping here is about the thrill of the hunt. Keep your eyes open, watch your budget, and maybe avoid that Skibo Road traffic by taking the back way through Cliffdale if you can.
Next Steps for Savvy Shoppers:
Start by auditing your current wardrobe for the upcoming season. If you're missing a core piece—like a rain jacket or a decent pair of work boots—head to the Skibo Road location on a Tuesday morning. This ensures you get the first pick of the week's new shipments before the weekend rush clears the racks. Also, take a quick detour through the luggage section; Burlington is notorious for having high-quality hardshell suitcases for less than half the price of specialty travel stores.