Earlier reports that Columbus, Ohio-based clothing chain The Limited would be taking over the Gold Dust Lounge's Powell Street space (and gallery next door as well) weren't too far off track apparently. As Inside Scoop notes today, the San Francisco Business Times may have let the cat out of the bag in a report on luxury retailers in Union Square [subscription required] which mentions, "two prime corners on the square will become flagships of American corporations: Chase will take over the long-dead former Disney store and Express is taking over the art gallery and Gold Dust Lounge at Powell and Geary streets."

Express, as fans of suburban retail outlets may know, used to be owned by The Limited. It was split off and is currently 75% owned by local private equity firm Golden Gate Capital Partners. The next closest Express location is a heart rate-increasing two and a half blocks away. Neither the Gold Dust Owners nor their landlords the Handlery family are speaking up about The Express yet, but if you need a drink to get the scent of Loyalty, A New Fragrance For Men off of you, the vodkas are only a buck at happy hour tonight.

Previously: All Gold Dust Lounge coverage on SFist.
[InsideScoop]
[SFBiz]