I used to work in the mall and there was always a slew of designers rumored to be opening soon; Jimmy Choo, Versace, Stuart Weitzman, etc. Fendi does not sound realistic, they are incredibly high-end and exclusive. They don't even have a store in Chicago. I would expect a designer/retailer that has more of a presence in smaller markets-- Burberry, David Yurman, Aritzia, Amazon Style, Chanel Beaute, or Bottega Veneta. I hope I eat my words but I can almost guarantee it wont be Fendi. 

Edited September 26, 20222 yr by küshner

16 minutes ago, küshner said:

I used to work in the mall and there was always a slew of designers rumored to be opening soon; Jimmy Choo, Versace, Stuart Weitzman, etc. Fendi does not sound realistic, they are incredibly high-end and exclusive. They don't even have a store in Chicago. I would expect a designer/retailer that has more of a presence in smaller markets-- Burberry, David Yurman, Aritzia, Amazon Style, Chanel Beaute, or Bottega Veneta. I hope I eat my words but I can almost guarantee it wont be Fendi. 

Everyone mocked me two years ago about the Gucci shop, still waiting for people to line up and eat crow...

45 minutes ago, savadams13 said:

Everyone mocked me two years ago about the Gucci shop, still waiting for people to line up and eat crow...

In their defense, two years ago I don't think Gucci was even considering Kenwood lol

2 minutes ago, küshner said:

In their defense, two years ago I don't think Gucci was even considering Kenwood lol

2 Years ago could mean right before COVID, I’m sure there was a lot of store plans that got canceled/delayed that we may never see or know about. I do agree if Fendi opened in Cincinnati I would be SHOOK lol.

1 hour ago, küshner said:

In their defense, two years ago I don't think Gucci was even considering Kenwood lol

I worked on the store design for Kering who is the owner of Gucci, but its all good. I have my contacts out at LVMH about the Fendi space now at Kenwood. 

3 hours ago, küshner said:

I used to work in the mall and there was always a slew of designers rumored to be opening soon; Jimmy Choo, Versace, Stuart Weitzman, etc. Fendi does not sound realistic, they are incredibly high-end and exclusive. They don't even have a store in Chicago. I would expect a designer/retailer that has more of a presence in smaller markets-- Burberry, David Yurman, Aritzia, Amazon Style, Chanel Beaute, or Bottega Veneta. I hope I eat my words but I can almost guarantee it wont be Fendi. 

Fendi does have a hard shops in both Chicago and Atlanta, along with soft shops in both cities. 

5 hours ago, savadams13 said:

Fendi does have a hard shops in both Chicago and Atlanta, along with soft shops in both cities. 

I see Atlanta but the Chicago location is listed as a boutique within Neiman Marcus. Does having your contacts out at LVMH mean you're asking them if it's coming or they've confirmed it? I hope it is Fendi. Don't take it personally, I've just heard the boy who cried designer one too many times lol. 

If they do put Fendi in that will take up all the space that’s currently in that little Corridor. Do we see them stopping there with the luxury brands? Or do you think they will start moving retailers that are further down to empty stores elsewhere in the mall. I’d assume if they have been doing well on bringing in luxury brands they would want to try to bring in one or two more. 
 

Rally house is putting in a location over by Bob Evans. I’d assume that they are planning on leaving Kenwood to that new location. Their location in Kenwood mall is very crammed. 

1 hour ago, Ucgrad2015 said:

If they do put Fendi in that will take up all the space that’s currently in that little Corridor. Do we see them stopping there with the luxury brands? Or do you think they will start moving retailers that are further down to empty stores elsewhere in the mall. I’d assume if they have been doing well on bringing in luxury brands they would want to try to bring in one or two more. 
 

Rally house is putting in a location over by Bob Evans. I’d assume that they are planning on leaving Kenwood to that new location. Their location in Kenwood mall is very crammed. 

I walked the mall the other day and was impressed with the infill selection coming to Kenwood. I think we will see a couple more luxury retailers arrive on the scene. The big question is will Nordstrom turn the "C" level store into a B or A level store? Every Rally House is crammed, I am really surprised fire marshal lets them stay open at any of there locations. Let alone someone hasnt sui'd for accessibility of disabled. 

11 hours ago, küshner said:

I see Atlanta but the Chicago location is listed as a boutique within Neiman Marcus. Does having your contacts out at LVMH mean you're asking them if it's coming or they've confirmed it? I hope it is Fendi. Don't take it personally, I've just heard the boy who cried designer one too many times lol. 

Our team did the repair work at Neiman in Chicago after the riots. The Fendi is a hard shop that opens up outward, but it takes footprint space of Neimans, its a weird hybrid but its technically there own boutique that doesnt run off Neiman POS system or employees. 

 

Yes I have feelers out with my contacts at LVMH about the rumors. Just trying to see if they say "hell no", or "well we can really talk about it right now" 

37 minutes ago, savadams13 said:

Nordstrom turn the "C" level store into a B or A level store?

Have to disagree with this tho. I’ve been to a ton of locations and Cincys is actually one of the better ones. If you’re talking about selection I guess maybe a C++ or B-, but overall the store still looks good, the staff is good and inventory is organized especially compared to competitors. When I think of “A” level stores I’m thinking of the flagships and Cincinnati nor any other mid size market is going to get that kind of facility or product selection. While living in NYC they opened the new giant flagship store by Columbus Circle (300 million+ Dollars if I’m not mistaken) so my standards may be a bit high haha. As I mentioned before if Cincy/Kenwood has stand alone stores such and Tiffany’s, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and lord knows a Fendi etc. the need for a super stacked Nordstrom-Saks diminishes.

1 hour ago, 646empire said:

Have to disagree with this tho. I’ve been to a ton of locations and Cincys is actually one of the better ones. If you’re talking about selection I guess maybe a C++ or B-, but overall the store still looks good, the staff is good and inventory is organized especially compared to competitors. When I think of “A” level stores I’m thinking of the flagships and Cincinnati nor any other mid size market is going to get that kind of facility or product selection. While living in NYC they opened the new giant flagship store by Columbus Circle (300 million+ Dollars if I’m not mistaken) so my standards may be a bit high haha. As I mentioned before if Cincy/Kenwood has stand alone stores such and Tiffany’s, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and lord knows a Fendi etc. the need for a super stacked Nordstrom-Saks diminishes.

Under the Nordstrom system of stores Indianapolis, Columbus, and Cincinnati are all C level stores, the lowest ring of department stores. Its a well maintained store, but nontheless carries fewer brands and higher quality brands. I would just like to see them get a better buyer in the store since selection is lacking (many of the brand you can find in Kenwood) and they removed men's suiting. 

7 minutes ago, savadams13 said:

Under the Nordstrom system of stores Indianapolis, Columbus, and Cincinnati are all C level stores, the lowest ring of department stores. Its a well maintained store, but nontheless carries fewer brands and higher quality brands. I would just like to see them get a better buyer in the store since selection is lacking (many of the brand you can find in Kenwood) and they removed men's suiting. 

Gotcha didn’t know you meant the actual internal company rankings of its stores. I would assume there aren’t many stores on the A* level which goes back to my Flagship point. But yeah I would like to see a better men’s selection.

35 minutes ago, savadams13 said:

Under the Nordstrom system of stores Indianapolis, Columbus, and Cincinnati are all C level stores, the lowest ring of department stores. Its a well maintained store, but nontheless carries fewer brands and higher quality brands. I would just like to see them get a better buyer in the store since selection is lacking (many of the brand you can find in Kenwood) and they removed men's suiting. 

Nordstrom was where I used to work and the Store Manager told me the "C, B, A" ranking system was not a real thing and a rumor that's been circulating forever. Although I could see them lying about that though to keep morale up. The quality of that Nordstrom has really tanked, whenever I'm back in town I stop by. Recently, it looks like they're in the middle of a going-out-of-business sale. It's interesting that as the mall gets nicer, the Nordstrom loses more luxury products. The same can be said for the Easton location, that mall is arguably the nicest in the state and the Nordstrom feels like an old Dillards. 

Columbus has a lot more immigrants and many of them are upper middle class to wealthy. They shop in-store much more than cracked-out-on-e-commerce White America. This helps Easton and Polaris immensely. 

 

Everybody besides American white people know that stores are vital to the economy in the same way. White Americans advocate for restaurants, bars and music venues but not B&M stores. All businesses are important, not just places to eat and drink. People buy everything on the internet then wonder why mixed-use doesn't get funded by banks and when it does it always gets just taprooms.

58 minutes ago, küshner said:

Recently, it looks like they're in the middle of a going-out-of-business sale.

I think you’re referring to the annual “Anniversary Sale” that happens at every location every summer. Unfortunately yes the signage they use during this event is black and yellow which is commonly used in going out of business signage such as what’s currently plastered all over the downtown Saks right now. 

1 hour ago, GCrites80s said:

Columbus has a lot more immigrants and many of them are upper middle class to wealthy. They shop in-store much more than cracked-out-on-e-commerce White America. This helps Easton and Polaris immensely. 

 

Everybody besides American white people know that stores are vital to the economy in the same way. White Americans advocate for restaurants, bars and music venues but not B&M stores. All businesses are important, not just places to eat and drink. People buy everything on the internet then wonder why mixed-use doesn't get funded by banks and when it does it always gets just taprooms.

 

This is absolutely delusional and motivated, racialized thinking. Big fat lol that wealthy Indians don't shop online and have some special insight into brick-and-mortar that (boo, hiss) white Americans don't. Just an ugly, silly thing to say. 

3 hours ago, küshner said:

Nordstrom was where I used to work and the Store Manager told me the "C, B, A" ranking system was not a real thing and a rumor that's been circulating forever. Although I could see them lying about that though to keep morale up. The quality of that Nordstrom has really tanked, whenever I'm back in town I stop by. Recently, it looks like they're in the middle of a going-out-of-business sale. It's interesting that as the mall gets nicer, the Nordstrom loses more luxury products. The same can be said for the Easton location, that mall is arguably the nicest in the state and the Nordstrom feels like an old Dillards. 

Yeah sorry the store manager was lying to you unfortunately. Hell even Macys and Dillards have a ranking level for their locations across the country. The Kenwood location started as a B level store and quickly dropped to C level store after opening. Shame it dropped, economy tanking still in 2009 when they opened i am sure didnt help matters. People in Cincinnati tighten purse strings quicker when things get rocky 

3 hours ago, GrassIsGreener said:

 

This is absolutely delusional and motivated, racialized thinking. Big fat lol that wealthy Indians don't shop online and have some special insight into brick-and-mortar that (boo, hiss) white Americans don't. Just an ugly, silly thing to say. 

 

Every other culture understands this. Including plenty of white ones. We are not perfection.

3 hours ago, savadams13 said:

Yeah sorry the store manager was lying to you unfortunately. Hell even Macys and Dillards have a ranking level for their locations across the country. The Kenwood location started as a B level store and quickly dropped to C level store after opening. Shame it dropped, economy tanking still in 2009 when they opened i am sure didnt help matters. People in Cincinnati tighten purse strings quicker when things get rocky 

Wonder what the Liberty center location would be rated as? It’s pretty nice for a Dillards. 

I've just got to put it out there... malls as a whole are ranked by "A, B, C...", individual store locations, at least externally, are not. 

 

I'd be willing to bet Nordstrom has some type of internal calculation based on revenue, average HH income, etc. to classify their top and bottom stores, like any chain of stores would do, but I can say as a matter of fact that does not carry over to any type of formal, publicly available classification system like is the case for malls themselves. 

With office A, B and C denote build date/last major renovation whereas with malls it's amount of anchor tenants remaining. Anchors all full or maybe one missing A, more than one anchor empty B and no anchors is C. Multifamily and even SFH can also be categorized using the office system but it is less popular.

22 hours ago, 646empire said:

I think you’re referring to the annual “Anniversary Sale” that happens at every location every summer. Unfortunately yes the signage they use during this event is black and yellow which is commonly used in going out of business signage such as what’s currently plastered all over the downtown Saks right now. 

No, I used to work at that particular Nordstrom, I know what hell the Anniversary Sale is lol. I'm talking about the disappearance of higher price-point/designer merchandise, the fact that half the men's department has vanished and been replaced with online pickup, the cool saltwater fish tank in the kids shoe dept. being drained and covered with a cheap vinyl covering, they took away most designer handbags, etc. The store is a dump. I'm not surprised, when we opened, we had a cool store manager and lots of designers you could previously only get at Saks or other cities, then management changed (a horrible woman came in), budgets and positions were cut, and lines that brought people in were dropped. I hope they're able to step it up, but whenever I go and visit it looks like one more nail in the coffin. I wish Saks were actually able to move to Kenwood, perhaps taking over the Dillard's spot, but I highly doubt that will happen anytime soon. 

1 hour ago, küshner said:

The store is a dump.

Definitely not true, sounds like things between you and Nordstrom may have not ended well lol.

Edited September 28, 20222 yr by 646empire

6 hours ago, 646empire said:

Definitely not true, sounds like things between you and Nordstrom may have not ended well lol.

Things ended fine, they've just lost all their designer merchandise and the building is showing its age. I guess we just have different opinions of what a luxury department store should look like and sell 🙃

27 minutes ago, küshner said:

I guess we just have different opinions of what a luxury department store should look like and sell 🙃

That’s for sure as I wouldn’t even call Nordstrom luxury per se. They have some high end stuff in certain stores but most locations are mid range stuff. Neiman Marcus or Bergdorfs etc is what I think of as true luxury department stores, even most Bloomingdale’s are a pinch above a lot of Nordstrom locations.

Edited September 29, 20222 yr by 646empire

In before MTS brings up Barney's

Gucci is now open!

 

“Gucci's boutique at Kenwood takes 5,300 square feet and offers a selection of men's and women's shoes, handbags, luggage, small leather goods, jewelry, watches and eyewear. The shop carries the new Cosomogonie collection, which was first presented in Puglia, Italy, in May.

The store is decorated with custom, geometric-painted wood floors that produce a 3-D effect, alongside herringbone wood flooring. Displays contain vintage brass contrasted by rich fabrics.”

 

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2022/12/15/gucci-open-kenwood.html

Edited December 15, 20222 yr by 646empire

From looking at the Kenwood directory. Looks like Rallyhouse will be moving. In other large news seems that the Abercrombie store is no longer. Leaves Cincinnati with no stores. 

37 minutes ago, Ucgrad2015 said:

From looking at the Kenwood directory. Looks like Rallyhouse will be moving. In other large news seems that the Abercrombie store is no longer. Leaves Cincinnati with no stores. 

Looks like RallyHouse has already moved outside the mall into the old Pier 1 location. Much bigger space and probably cheaper overhead. 

3 hours ago, Brutus_buckeye said:

Looks like RallyHouse has already moved outside the mall into the old Pier 1 location. Much bigger space and probably cheaper overhead. 

The one at the mall I heard is staying, just moving to a different storefront within the mall. Don’t know why they’d have two locations so close to each other though. 

5 hours ago, Ucgrad2015 said:

 Abercrombie store is no longer.

 

I just looked at their website.  They're trying to sell mom jeans to dudes. 

The Kenwood Rally House is cavernous. Merchandise is stacked all the way to the ceiling, it feel like Spencer’s in there. Not sure if they are all like that, I am not much of a clothes shopper in general, but I could see how it could use some more room to spread out to allow people to view merchandise better


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46 minutes ago, Lazarus said:

 

I just looked at their website.  They're trying to sell mom jeans to dudes. 

just looked out of curiosity and yes an absolute hot mess

Rally house is moving into the old HM spot, Abercrombie is closing temporarily to remodel.


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35 minutes ago, 646empire said:

just looked out of curiosity and yes an absolute hot mess

 

I mean, what is this?

https://www.abercrombie.com/shop/us/p/miller-lite-graphic-mesh-shorts-51579319?seq=02&categoryId=12835&faceout=prod

 

Send in 20 box tops + $5.95 postage & handling.  Call Now - Supplies Are Limited!

 

Abercrombie isnt closing, they are doing the new branding update remodel. The store at Easton is the new direction Abercrombie is going. Gone are the mooseheads, all the small individual rooms. The stores are more open, and have a different look inside and out. I cant fix some of the bad clothing they sell, but i know a couple folks who work at corporate and say things are a million times better for everyone working there. 

11 hours ago, SWOH said:

The Kenwood Rally House is cavernous. Merchandise is stacked all the way to the ceiling, it feel like Spencer’s in there. Not sure if they are all like that, I am not much of a clothes shopper in general, but I could see how it could use some more room to spread out to allow people to view merchandise better


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How any of the Rally House locations get approved by Fire Marshal or arent taking to court for violating ADA code is beyond me. Every location is stuffed with clothing and merchandise, racks arent spaced 3' apart anywhere. It actually turns me off walking in any of their locations. 

8 minutes ago, savadams13 said:

How any of the Rally House locations get approved by Fire Marshal or arent taking to court for violating ADA code is beyond me. Every location is stuffed with clothing and merchandise, racks arent spaced 3' apart anywhere. It actually turns me off walking in any of their locations. 

With the rents you pay to be in Kenwood, you need to move a lot of volume. Gotta keep packing them in there :) 

1 hour ago, savadams13 said:

Abercrombie isnt closing, they are doing the new branding update remodel. The store at Easton is the new direction Abercrombie is going. Gone are the mooseheads, all the small individual rooms. The stores are more open, and have a different look inside and out. I cant fix some of the bad clothing they sell, but i know a couple folks who work at corporate and say things are a million times better for everyone working there. 

The updated store in the photos looks very flat and boring which is fitting of the new merchandise I see. Hopefully things work out for them long term as they test different ideas but I can tell you this style clothing or store design is NOT in. The photos look like a combo of GAP and a Banana Republic.

Edited January 18, 20232 yr by 646empire

2 hours ago, 646empire said:

The updated store in the photos looks very flat and boring which is fitting of the new merchandise I see. Hopefully things work out for them long term as they test different ideas but I can tell you this style clothing or store design is NOT in. The photos look like a combo of GAP and a Banana Republic.

You might not agree with the look or style of the stores or clothes, but the sales numbers are trending positive after so many years of sliding off into the abyss. So they are clearly hitting a target audience. It reminded me alot of a brand they once had called Ruehl No.925. More of an elevated clothing company without all the logos and branding, good wardrobe staples and pieces for men and women. 

51 minutes ago, savadams13 said:

You might not agree with the look or style of the stores or clothes, but the sales numbers are trending positive after so many years of sliding off into the abyss. So they are clearly hitting a target audience.

They have definitely stopped the bleeding after almost going out of business but it will take a few years/holiday seasons to see if these changes are really working. We will then see if they are getting any real traction against the big dogs such as H&M, Zara and others. I for some reason thought the chain was bigger than a couple hundred stores but it’s not which changes my outlook for them a bit.

 

“The brand, which has about 225 stores, plans to open around 10 Abercrombie stores a year over the next three years. This would bring Abercrombie closer to the 285 stores it had a decade ago.”
 

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2023/01/10/business/abercrombie-and-fitch-shopping-millennials-gen-z/index.html

 

Anyway the more tenants staying put in Kenwood the better!

Edited January 18, 20232 yr by 646empire

https://cm.cincinnati.com/offers-reg/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincinnati.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2F2023%2F01%2F19%2Fabercrombie-and-fitch-close-kenwood-towne-centre-store-cincinnati%2F69822919007%2F
 

cincinnati.com is saying Abercrombie is closing permanently. 

16 hours ago, Ucgrad2015 said:

https://cm.cincinnati.com/offers-reg/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cincinnati.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2F2023%2F01%2F19%2Fabercrombie-and-fitch-close-kenwood-towne-centre-store-cincinnati%2F69822919007%2F
 

cincinnati.com is saying Abercrombie is closing permanently. 

Honestly surprised since they spent the money and have drawings in for remodel permit. This seems to be some very odd knee jerk reaction. 

2 hours ago, savadams13 said:

Honestly surprised since they spent the money and have drawings in for remodel permit. This seems to be some very odd knee jerk reaction. 

Same as it’s the only Abercrombie in the metro area so you’d think they want to keep a presence. Maybe they’ll move up to Liberty Center? Not sure if rent up there is cheaper or not.
 

Would love to see Zara fill that space in Kenwood. I’m assuming with Rallyhouse moving they’ll either be moving into that space or into the old Brooks Brothers space.  

43 minutes ago, Ucgrad2015 said:

Same as it’s the only Abercrombie in the metro area so you’d think they want to keep a presence. Maybe they’ll move up to Liberty Center? Not sure if rent up there is cheaper or not.
 

Would love to see Zara fill that space in Kenwood. I’m assuming with Rallyhouse moving they’ll either be moving into that space or into the old Brooks Brothers space.  

Liberty Center has to be cheaper but also has about 99% less foot traffic. They'd probably be wasting more money there. Would love to see Zara too but they announced they were scaling back on physical retail, the old H&M space would be perfect for them. It would be weird for Rallyhouse to move into such a prominent space in the mall as the old Brooks Brothers, you'd think they would want to reserve that for a bigger name since its seen from Montgomery. 

 

Has anyone heard whats going next to Gucci? I would assume they'd want another high end designer to fill out that enclave. 

1 hour ago, Ucgrad2015 said:

Brooks Brothers space

I can’t imagine the leasing office giving RallyHouse that primetime Brooks Brothers space at the main entrance that would shock me. 

Edited January 20, 20232 yr by 646empire

1 hour ago, Ucgrad2015 said:

Would love to see Zara fill that space in Kenwood.

I think we are in for a big multi tenant announcement this year.

Ahem...

 

Abercrombie & Fitch cutting 63 jobs at its New Albany office

...

This is the second job cut notification the company has filed with the state this month. It also reported the elimination of 11 jobs in Cincinnati earlier in January.

 

The company cut those positions as it closed its store at the Kenwood Towne Center, but the retailer won’t be gone for long. It will be replacing that store with a new store in a different location at Kenwood that is expected to open this summer. It did retain 59 other associates from the store. The Hollister store at Kenwood remains open as well.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2023/01/20/abercrombie-fitch-cutting-63-jobs-at-its-new-alb.html

 

2 hours ago, ColDayMan said:

Ahem...

 

Abercrombie & Fitch cutting 63 jobs at its New Albany office

...

This is the second job cut notification the company has filed with the state this month. It also reported the elimination of 11 jobs in Cincinnati earlier in January.

 

The company cut those positions as it closed its store at the Kenwood Towne Center, but the retailer won’t be gone for long. It will be replacing that store with a new store in a different location at Kenwood that is expected to open this summer. It did retain 59 other associates from the store. The Hollister store at Kenwood remains open as well.

 

More below:

https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2023/01/20/abercrombie-fitch-cutting-63-jobs-at-its-new-alb.html

 

What’s the reasoning as to why they wouldn’t just open up at the new location then close the current one?