True Religion still hasn't unwrapped its brand-new Union Square store, but tomorrow designer jeans might start rolling out of the outpost in Columbus Circle. Says a reader: "The True Religion in the Time Warner Center is opening tomorrow, according to the people in Benetton." Which is good news, given New York's tragic shortage of designer denim. [Racked Inbox]
A reader follows up on those rumors about Kate Spade coming to the West Village with news that the store might be larger than anyone expected. The note:
Beauty Salon Eve on Bleecker Street is closing in October and will be taken over by Kate Spade. Eve will re-locate to 6th Avenue and 8th Street. The employees at Eve are happy because apparently it is a nice space—a bit bigger than their current location—and closer to trains. Sadder still (to me anyway), Biography Bookstore is closing in the next 12 -18 months. I have heard two rumors: (1) that it will be part of Kate Spade and (2) that it will be a Sephora (vomit). Biography bookstore is looking for a new space in NYC also.
No. 351 as Nusraty (left) and as Black Fleece (right and below) [renderings via WWD]
The little rumormongering item we posted back in May about Brooks Bros. and their plans for a freestanding Black Fleece boutique at 351 Bleecker Street (Black Fleece being their newish Thom Browne-designed line) has turned out to be correct.
Despite being vehemently denied by the store's owner's son, who jumped into the comments to write: "I'm the owner's son (Nusraty Afghan Imports, Inc.) and in fact this is a RUMOR! My father has been at this location for over 29 years!!!," the move was confirmed today by WWD. They report that the store, the first of its kind, will open in mid-October. Why did the suits at Brooks Bros. choose Bleecker? "Because there's 'a charm, sophistication and historic atmosphere to the neighborhood that lends itself to the spirit of Black Fleece.'"
· Rumormongering: Black Fleece Replacing Nusraty Afghan Imports on Bleecker? [Racked]
Is Thompson Street menswear boutique Seanmoving to Prince? Store staffers say no, but a tipster begs to differ: "Sean (menswear store) is indeed taking a space on Prince Street [ed. note: no. 199] apparently it is not yet 'official.' Leases are signed but he is not moving in until August and has not officially given notice to his current landlord. You never heard this from me. But you will hear from him once his store-clearing sale starts in a few weeks. And when he is official." Mysterious. [Racked Inbox]
"Ikea won't just be attracting customers to Red Hook - rivals are likely coming, too. Other big-box retailers are expected to follow the furniture giant into the quickly transforming Brooklyn neighborhood. Megastore chains have been scouting sites, real estate sources said, giving the Brooklyn waterfront their consideration because of the massive 346,000-square-foot store opening Wednesday at 1 Beard St." Brokers say that Wal-Mart, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Staples, Walgreens and Trader Joe's have also sniffed around the area. [NY Daily News]
Let's end the day with a bit of Rackedwire, our roundup of gossip, rumor, happenstance and other random pieces of ephemera. If you've got some 'Wire to share, please do so.
NEW YORK CITY—As the Ikea ad campaign rolls on, signs for the furniture store have started appearing all over the place. Lost City noticed a few particularly obnoxious bus shelter ads in Red Hook: "One ad on Columbia Street invites us to be awe-struck by the 'corrugated awesomeness' of the box. It actually begins with exclamation 'Yo! Check this out.' And it ends with "Boxes rule!' Another ad, down by Fairway, wonders if the box on display was acquired by 'one of those Mole People who live in the subway.'" [Lost City]
WEST VILLAGE—According to a commenter who says he's the son of the owner, our musings about Bleecker Street mainstay Nusraty Afghan Imports being replaced by a Black Fleece store are dead wrong. "I'm the owner's son (Nusraty Afghan Imports, Inc.) and in fact this is a RUMOR! My father has been at this location for over 29 years!!! Though he has had many interested bidders (ex: MAC, Joe's Jeans, Marc Jacobs...etc.), my father has every intention to stay open for the duration of his lease. I'm assuming that RKF has had many inquiries for this location as well. Only time will tell.....but for now, Nusraty Afghan Imports, Inc. is open for business (7 days a week/ 12pm - 9pm)." [Racked Comments]
As anticipated openings go, the unveiling of Topshop Soho is going to rank up there with the debut of the very first US outpost of Muji or Uniqlo—that is to say, a lot of people are looking forward to this. So we were very interested to hear a rumor from a reputable source stating that the UK store's planned October 10th opening will be practically impossible to hit.
Apparently, the fast-fashion chain's plans for the interior of the space at 478 Broadway would require a big team working almost round-the-clock to complete, which is something that Sir Philip Green is unwilling to shell out for. Word is that the interior, now hidden behind a massive plywood wall, is "just a big hole," and one architecture firm has already ditched the project because what Topshop's asking is completely unrealistic. Time to hope for a miracle.
· RackedWire: Topshop Sets a Date, Cartoons Cover Uniqlo [Racked]
· First Look: Inside Topshop Soho [Racked]
· All Topshop Soho Coverage [Racked]
This should hit ladies who appreciate the perfect Charlotte Ronson mini or skinny pair of Siwy jeans hard: excellent, adorable LES boutique Shop—they of the amazing denim wall and the racks and racks of perfect (and pricey) pieces—might be forced to pack up and leave their storefront at 105 Stanton Street. A trusted Racked informant writes:
So, I used to work at shop. I know in the next couple of weeks a decision will be made regarding whether or not to move the store down to Broome, across (?-not sure the exact space) from Earnest Sewn. Basically the owner had something like a ten year lease which runs out this month. She was obviously paying what you could pay back when there was only Maxfish and whatnot. I don't know the amounts involved. I also remember some people who represented Marc Jacobs in some capacity coming in to scope out some potential locations.
Well, it's not disastrous news, but sad nonetheless. We called the store for confirmation, and a sales associate could neither confirm nor deny the tip. Anyone with more information is encouraged to come forward and spill.
· Shop [Official Site]
—Photo credit
The rendering above shows what 345 Adams, a government-owned building that's fallen into disrepair of late, could look like after Muss Development has its way with the first two floors of the historic structure. Why is this important? Well, because this space is now being shopped around to big name retailers like Apple, Brooks Brothers, Uniqlo and H&M. That's not to say that those companies have signed (or will sign) leases, of course. Reports The Brooklyn Eagle:
Regarding Apple taking the corner space at Willoughby Street, [broker Robert] Greenstone said, “It’s so right for them it’s not funny.” And he ticked off a half dozen reasons why—from the building’s location across from Borough Hall to its proximity to seven colleges and universities, the area’s four brownstone neighborhoods, the 14 subway lines nearby, the Marriott’s 1,100-car parking garage, not to mention the prominence of the space at a prime corner and the elegance of its interiors. “It’s magical and one of the few spaces anywhere in Brooklyn that has the ability to draw the kind of buyer that Apple wants,” he said.
Could Gowanus be landing a Starbucks? Reports The Gowanus Lounge: "A Starbucks may be coming to Fourth Avenue and Third Street on the Gowanus side of the neighborhood line...The property is near the Novo Park Slope, Hotel Le Bleu and Crest condo and would be a block from an eventual Whole Foods, if the latter happens." [The Gowanus Lounge]
If you've been waiting for iPhone prices to fall so you can snap one up for a (somewhat) reasonable chunk of change, listen up. Rumor has it that AT&T is planning to subsidize $200 of the cost of the soon-to-be-released 3G models. That means one of those shiny little magic doodads can be yours for the lowish price of $199 (and the cost of being tethered to AT&T for two years, of course). More details on the gadget, from Fortune's tech blog:
The new iPhone is expected to be released on the one-year anniversary of the original iPhone debut June 27 or thereabouts. A few weeks prior to that launch, Apple is planning to stop supplies of the older model iPhone, according to the source. This will help clear out inventory and stir up demand for the new device. It will also attempt to avoid the public relations pratfall Apple made when it cut the price of the iPhone without warning last year.
Off-price suit store Syms in the Financial District is almost comically depressing: fluorescent lights buzz overhead while hunchbacked, elderly salesmen adjust their toupees and drift listlessly about the racks of clothing. So it doesn't come as much of a surprise that the company might be planning to completely revamp the location. The Postreports that "the Secaucus, NJ-based chain—which earlier this year was accused by some investors of scheming to take itself private in a bid to seize its own valuable real estate on the cheap—confirmed in city records that it's looking to build a high-rise tower on the site of its four-story, 40,000-square-foot store at 42 Trinity Place." We assume this means that the current incarnation of the Fidi outpost is dunzo. Hey Syms execs, try for windows in the new store, won't you? photo credit
· Flagship Makeover [NY Post]
Here's a nice, juicy rumor for you: Macy's may be interested in setting up shop at Harlem Park, the colossal new office building planned for 125th Street and Park Avenue. According to The Real Deal: "The Macy's store could rise up to the third floor of the 21-story building, however the amount of available space hinges on how big a lease Major League Baseball takes for the new television network it is launching." Major League Baseball and Macy's? The little development that could is really taking off.
· Macy's shopping for Harlem site [TRD]
· MLB Wants to Climb Inside Harlem's Box [Curbed]
· Harlem's Box Actively Recruiting [Curbed]
As we posited last week, Apple may be interested in moving to Fidi. A tipster had sent along word that the company was looking at two properties, 23 Wall Street and 15 Broad Street; of the two, 23 Wall (pictured above) is the clear winner architecturally. Then, later on in the week, ifoAppleStore stated that they had "confirmed" via several unnamed sources that Apple would be choosing 23 Wall to open yet another NYC store. The confirmation doesn't seem too solid, however, as there's no mention of a lease being signed, and the post also cites an old rumor about Apple's interest in Williamsburg (which has since been pretty much abandoned). Apple's walked away from deals before (see the 34th Street mess), so we're reluctant to declare this one a real go until there's a bit more evidence on the table. But seriously, though, how could they pass this one up? Look at that beauty.
· Two New York City Stores Confirmed [ifoAppleStore]
· AM Rumormongering: Apple Interested in FiDi? [Racked]
WILLIAMSBURG—Dates have been announced for Brooklyn's fourth annual Renegade Craft Fair. The huge DIY market will take place the second weekend in June, the 14th and 15th, at the McCarren Pool. [RackedWire]
UWS—According to a Racked source, grocery chain Trader Joe's may be interested in opening an outpost on the Upper West Side: "Not sure how valid this one is (source is gossip/innuendo/old lady yentas) but supposedly the owners or brokers of the retail space in the new condo at 200 West End Avenue are having a difficult time getting a grocery store to take the space because of the Trader Joe's that is going to be opening up somewhere nearby. Again, I don't know how reliable this is so I'm throwing it out there if anyone wants to know, refute or continue to speculate." Breathe deeply, UWSers—this is still very much a rumor. [RackedWire Inbox]
[At left, 23 Wall; at right, 15 Broad. Photos via TrespassersWill; click to expand]
It's been rumored that Barneys and Whole Foods are sniffing around the Financial District, but a Racked tipster has just sent word that Apple may also be interested in the neighborhood. Could El Jobso really be checking out storefronts south of Canal? The note:
I sent you a tip awhile back that Barney's was moving to 15 Broad. I also sent you the tip Whole Foods was moving to 23 Wall. Barney's is moving into either 15 Broad or 23 Wall. Whole Foods is not. They looked at the space, but logistically not feasible. The new scoop is that Apple is moving into 15 Broad or 23 Wall. Not sure which store is going where, but Apple and Barney's are going into those 2 spots. Also, notice on page 147 in yesterday's Real Deal under Buys, that the commercial retail space at 15 Broad has been sold for $18.62 million and they are keeping the buyer's name anonymous?
We're sad to report that the retail space in the Hearst Building probably won't be transformed into a boutique selling Anna Sui and Catherine Malandrino clothing. A tipster writes: "I work for Hearst, and the TVs in the elevators have been announcing a Disney movie to be filmed in front of the building. I forget what movie specifically, but one in need of trendy, fake designer stores. No date set yet." [RackedWire Inbox]
COLUMBUS CIRCLE—There's something afoot in the retail space of the Hearst Building on 56th Street and Eighth Ave. Bloggers Guerilla Shopper and The Shophound both noticed strange Anna Sui signage in one street-level window; curiously, the next features Catherine Malandrino papering. Is the UWS gaining another multi-designer boutique? Intel on the matter, if you have it, is appreciated. [Guerilla Shopper, The Shophound]
THE JERZ—The Starbucks excitement just doesn't end today. The Life Vicarious reports that the chain's planning to go 24hrs Wednesday through Sunday at its Newport outpost. "More and more Starbucks are adopting the 24 hours formula state-wide despite limited profits in the overnight hours; skeleton crews and cordoned-off sections are expected in the late night." [The Life Vicarious]
HARLEM—Starbucks has cast its gaze upon Harlem. The coffee chain is moving into massive condo building Soha 118 at 118th and Frederick Douglass. Writes a tipster: "Not sure if this is blog worthy, but F. Douglass now has a 'Bucks on the way. It will occupy Soha's SW corner of retail space. They also have a dry cleaner—50% off to get new business and a Chase bank. Still waiting for the Harlem Vintage wine bar to open. This area is REALLY changing fast." [RackedWire]
MEATPACKING DISTRICT—One of the last bastions of grime in the Meatpacking District, BBQ joint/bar The Hog Pit, will be shuttering in January. The impending closure can be attributed to lease woes. According to an email that owner Felisa Dell sent to our friends over at Eater, the landlord's found a tenant that'll pay top dollar for the space: Ralph Lauren. [Eater]
Home Depot execs are having second thoughts about opening a store in Harlem. "Real estate sources say that The Home Depot Inc. is close to abandoning its long-anticipated store at the East River Plaza in Harlem, a major new retail development from Forest City Ratner and Blumenfeld Development group. Home Depot confirmed that it is rethinking the location, even though it has already signed a lease...The company’s hesitation comes as the economy stumbles, forcing retailers large and small to reconsider expansion plans. Additionally, the credit crunch makes cash for building new stores harder to come by." [Crain's]
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]
It looks like Fidi residents are finally going to get that greenmarket they so crave. The Downtown Express reports that a representative from Seaport developer General Growth Properties, Janell Vaughan, let slip that General Growth is planning to open a market on the first floor of the former Fulton Fish Market space. Rumors of a fresh-food market for the area have been flying around for awhile, but this was the first time that a specific location had been mentioned by developers. Exciting news, yes, but nothing is permanent yet: "On Wednesday, a General Growth spokesperson minimized Vaughan’s comment. 'Ideas for the market are out there, but there are no firm plans,' the spokesperson said. Get Batali back down there to grease some wheels, pronto.
· Seaport mall identifies site for large food market [Downtown Express]
· 2008: The Year of the Greenmarket? [Racked]
· Fulton Fish Market Reborn as Locavore Paradise? [Curbed]
SOHO—A Racked commenter adds his two cents to our Paul Smith sample salereport: "I was there. Suits were for the most part gone by 12 PM. There was a sweet Double-Breasted Tux still available in a few sizes by then. It was a crazy madhouse but everyone seemed to be very cool about it and people were for the most part joking around and being friendly, considering the awkwardness of dropping trou in front of everyone (and trying to hoard and guard your stash). Shoes were also ransacked pretty quick, but they had a lot of small sizes still left. Tons of scarves, gloves, socks, and cufflinks. [Racked Comments]
UPPER WEST SIDE—A reader writes: "Does anyone know what’s going on with the 2 empty stores (formerly Reebok and Rockport) that are adjacent to the Reebok Sports Club on Columbus and 67St? Brown paper on the windows, no indication of what’s happening; hopefully not a bank or a Duane Reade." Of course, the rumor is that boutique chain Scoop has grabbed the space, but that hasn't been confirmed yet. Tips on the matter are, of course, appreciated. [RackedWire Inbox]
Now-shuttered Nave on the left, Marni on the right
As was stated earlier this week, Nave, a Soho boutique known for original designs by up-and-comers like Richard Chai, bit the dust recently after less than two years of business. But all is not silent at 159 Mercer Street—today, construction work could clearly be heard going on inside the storefront. Could the whispers about next-door-neighbor Marni annexing the space be more truth than rumor? Though Marni staffers remained mum when pressed for comment, something about their elusive replies and coy smiles make us think it's a go. Expansion makes sense, too, considering it's the city's only Marni location, and the brand is really on the up and up.
· RackedWire: Marni Beefing Up in Soho, Brioni Midtown to Shutter? [Racked]
More from the candy beat this morning: Yesterday's breaking news of the impending closure of West Village's Chocolate Bar, purveyor of tasty hot chocolate and kickass candy bars, wasn't the end of the story for the popular shop. While Chocolate Bar will be leaving its original home at Eighth Avenue between Jane and Horatio Streets at the end of April, it will not be departing the Village entirely. Chocolate Bar staffers say that they will likely assume a space in the East Village on Seventh Street, between First Avenue and Avenue A. They were keen on a space in Chelsea, but the commercial rents in East Village are more affordable.
The East Village is not exactly lacking for sweetspots or cafes, what with Mud Coffee, Cafe Pick Me Up, Sympathy for the Kettle, Max Brenner, and Starbucks in the vicinity. However, Chocolate Bar out-charms all these places combined, so there's really no comparison.
· BREAKING: West Village Losing Chocolate Bar [Racked]
SOHO—Don't know how we overlooked it, but experimental boutique Nave at 159 Mercer Street has closed. A Racked source has it that Marni, located next door at 161 Mercer, will be expanding into the space. Marni staffers don't exactly deny the rumor, but do caution that "it hasn't happened yet, and we're not sure it will happen." [RackedWire Inbox]
MIDTOWN EAST—Is the Brioni store at 57 East 57th Street kaput? A Racked reader writes: "Two different people came into my office last week and said that Brioni on 57th off 5th street has lost their lease and sales of up to 70% off are happening? Is this true for I find it pretty damn hard to believe if it is? If true keep it between us (JK)." No one's picking up at the store, so it's impossible to verify if they're planning on pulling the shutter down for good. Anyone know more? [RackedWire Inbox]
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Comments
The little rumormongering 
Is Thompson Street menswear boutique 
WILLIAMSBURG—Dates have been announced for Brooklyn's fourth annual 
It looks like Fidi residents are finally going to get that greenmarket they so 
SOHO—A Racked commenter 
More from the candy beat this morning: Yesterday's 
SOHO—Don't know how we overlooked it, but experimental boutique 
