Ever so slowly, business is returning to a semblance of normalcy. Many of us may still be working from home, but deals are getting done, and retail is returning to life. And bravo to the national, regional and local companies that are requiring their shoppers be masked to protect us all.
All About Apparel
Canadian fashion design house and boutique Aritzia will open a 30,000-square-foot New York City store at 560 Broadway (formerly home to Dean & Deluca) in SoHo, said NKF, the sole broker on the transaction. The move reinforces the flight to quality where iconic brands are pushing to take over high-profile spots, said a spokesman for NKF. Recommerce continues to grow; 2nd Street USA, a Japanese discount reseller of brand name clothing, has signed for its second Manhattan store at 142 West 26th Street.
Accessible Accessories
At least we’re getting some foreign travel; German sneaker retailer Snipes opened its updated 2.0 concept for the first time in the U.S. in July at 161 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, close to the Barclays Center. With a much broader assortment of apparel than in traditional shops, the totally paperless store boasts 17 LED screens that provide information about the product. The store originally was scheduled to open in March but was pushed back due to COVID-19.
Wining & Dining
In mid-July, Daniel Boulud opened Daniel Boulud Kitchen, a bistro outside his flagship Daniel restaurant at 60 East 65th Street. His Epicerie Boulud markets also reopened at Lincoln Center and the Plaza West Food Hall.
Around the Kitchen
Hudson Yards area residents finally have their ritzy supermarket; Whole Foods launched its 60,245-square-foot store at 450 West 33rd Street at Brookfield Properties’ Manhattan West development. In addition to its grocery offerings, the store boasts a cocktail bar (with signature drinks-to-go) and a Brewery Fresh Bar in the liquor section, serving limited-release canned beers and ciders. Manhattan West also will include restaurants, entertainment and a Peloton Studios location to include showrooms and broadcast facilities. Coming this fall to Greenpoint Landing in Brooklyn: Riverside Market, a 24-hour market at 7 Bell Slip.
Home Sweet Home
Fine art gallery Ross + Kramer is relocating to 515 West 27th Street, the former Bungalow 8 location in Chelsea. The first exhibition, “How Bout Them Apples,” will feature New York-based artists including Nina Chanel Abney, Eddie Martinez, Erik Parker and Jonathan Chapline. The gallery also has a location in East Hampton, New York and plans a Miami debut in fall 2021.
Around the World Trade Center
Gansevoort Market Food Hall will open a second location in New York City at the Westfield World Trade Center Shops at the Oculus this fall. Like the original Gansevoort Market located in Chelsea, this modern food hall will be a lively and contemporary food and entertainment venue featuring a full-service bar, a wide variety of cuisine, ranging from dishes from different parts of Asia and Europe to classic American cheeseburgers, and special events, such as live music and Karaoke, the company said. Vendors will include: Bar, a burger offering; Eat Well, with Mediterranean cuisine; Los Panchos Taqueria; Patsy’s Pizzeria; Tama, offering Japanese rice bowls, pancakes and noodles and The Fryers, with fish and chips.
Taking Aim
Target has signed leases for 150 East 86th Street and 795 Columbus Avenue (at 98th Street), the former a Barnes & Noble location. Reports say that the bookstore will look for a smaller space in the neighborhood. The mega-discounter also plans a two-level, nearly 90,000-square-foot store in Port Chester.
Out of Town
Greenwich, Connecticut will be home to salad chain Sweetgreen and Eleventy, a luxury Italian apparel brand, as they open their first locations in the state at 98-102 Greenwich Avenue. At press time, Eleventy was scheduled to debut on August 15, with Sweetgreen to follow in late summer.
Bank on It
Wells Fargo will relocate its branch at 540 Madison Avenue to 4,700 square feet at 545 Madison.
Fly Away
Good news as we begin to travel again: the retail shops at the new Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport began opening in June. Retailers include: The Bowery Bay Shops, offering high-tech experiences including a digital mural wall that will allow shoppers to create custom digital portraits; The Dean, a menswear shop; Brooklyn Roasting Company; Kate Spade New York; Magnolia Bakery and a branch of Strand Book Store.
Debra Hazel
Debra Hazel Communications
Arverne, NY
debra@debrahazelcommunications.com
(201) 618-5247
