Banana Republic's Monogram boutique on Bleecker Street
The Wall Street Journal spends some time discussing the recession today—specifically, how this is not the best time for brands like Banana Republic and Ann Taylor to be launching higher-end lines. Apparently, the response to Ann Taylor's pricier Collection line has been "tepid" and although Banana Republic won't disclose how its Monogram effort is doing, we weren't impressed when we visited the company's test boutique on Bleecker Street last month. What does this mean for you, the consumer? More sales, of course.
· Retailers Downscale Their Luxury Lines [WSJ]
· Now Open: Monogram Bows on Bleecker [Racked]
Before kicking off your Saturday, take a moment to peruse the top Racked stories of the past week.
1) Fort Green: Brownstoner's Brooklyn Fleakicked off with a bang. There was food, antiques and plenty of silk-screened tees, but sadly, no dogs.
2) West Village: The execs at Banana Republicunveiled their puzzling new concept store, Monogram.
3) Midtown West: With a massive press conference and a pop-up store, Starbucks debuted their new Pike Place Roast in Bryant Park. It tastes slightly less bitter than their regular coffee!
You have to wonder what, exactly, Banana Republic is thinking with its new Monogram boutique (and line in general). BR hasn't sunk as low, sales-wise, as sister brands Gap and Old Navy and BR clothing is generally of decent quality. So why mess with a good thing by introducing a new, "refined" line? For the unfamiliar, a description of Monogram from WWD: "The line focuses on better fabrics and tailoring at prices about 30 to 40 percent higher than the brand's core collection." Today the Monogram store at 205 Bleecker Street, the only one in the nation to be completely focused on Monogram line (also currently available on BananaRepublic.com) debuted to a modicum of curious shoppers. The staff has clearly been instructed to be as hands-on as possible, which means shoppers are greeted at the door, checked in upon multiple times and given bottles of water to drink while they browse.
Monogram 205 Bleecker St at Sixth Ave;
(212) 473-9570
Mon—Sat 11am—8pm; Sun noon—7pm
Banana Republic's experimental Monogram boutique opens today at 205 Bleecker Street in the West Village. The space, which had previously housed a regular BR, now features the brand's pricier Monogram duds only. "The line focuses on better fabrics and tailoring at prices about 30 to 40 percent higher than the brand's core collection...The store environment is more sophisticated, too, with residential furniture such as Billy Baldwin sofas and chairs covered in glazed linen the color of sand. That same fabric is used for heavy drapes that partially cover the large windows, giving the store a sense of intimacy. Gray sisal rugs trimmed with black leather anchor the seating areas and black lacquer Niedermaier mirror screens bring the scale of the high-ceilinged store down to human size." Also, your Monogram sales associate would prefer to be called a 'stylist.' [WWD; previously]
GREENWICH VILLAGE—Is it curtains for the Banana Republic store on Bleecker Street and Sixth Avenue (the one that's transitioning into a Monogram boutique as we speak)? According to this brochure (warning: .pdf) from real estate company Staubach, the storefront at 205 Bleecker is on the market. [RackedWire]
LIC—According to blog liQcity, Long Island City is about to get a fine foods store—"Think Zabar’s, not Gristedes." Does this mean that things are finally looking up over there? [liQcity]
Before the weekend begins, check out a quick rundown of the top ten Racked stories of the past five days.
1) Lower East Side: A "Who Killed Obama" top was spotted in an Orchard Street boutique. Tasteless? Yes.
2) West Village: The Banana Republic on Bleecker Street will soon reopen as a store called Monogram. Catchy, huh?
3) Bowery: Hamptons boutique Blue & Cream's plans for Bowery beach chairs were revealed.
4) Bowery: More Bowery boutique news: Work on the John Varvatos store rising in the old CBGB's space finally resumed after an unexplained months-long break.
Yes, the Banana Republic at 205 Bleecker Street and Sixth Avenue in the West Village is closed, but that doesn't mean another retailer is moving in. Instead, the clothing chain is turning the storefront into an outpost for their new, high-end Monogram line ("The mark of distinction"). New executive vp and creative director Simon Kneen had remarked back in January that he wanted to expand on the store's pricier offerings, and he's starting on Bleecker, which is probably the best bet for this sort of thing. After all, Coach has their Legacy shop there and Tommy Hilfiger's trying out his women's-only boutique nearby, so Banana's in good company.
About Racked
Racked is a blog about shopping, neighborhood stores and the retail scene of New York City. If they'll take your money, we'll tell you about it. More About Racked...
Tipping Is The New Black
Have you a juicy bit of shopping intel? Email Racked
Comments
