Muji is hella tight. They have the best stuff.

 

Loves It, where have you been?

 

I've been stuck on this island for FAR too long. But luckily there are a few places that sell MUJI products here, mmm.

Not that Mexx is in Ohio or was ever announced to be in Ohio, I know some people put it on a wish list for downtown. Apparently they were operating 11 stores in the US at one point, but downsized to 4 stores which they presently operate. It was reccently announced Mexx will be closing these 4 stores and scrapping the US division.

 

That doesn't make sense.  Mexx is owned by Liz Claiborne.

the retail market is much different in the US than europe or asia.  even if product demand overlaps, the cost structures and business climate of operating a stand alone store or selling into a department store chain, have much much different economic realities. 

 

it doesn't surprise me that mexx (the brand) isn't successful, even if it is owned by liz cliaborne.  if the company is focused on profits, it is probably doing much better and has better margins in these other locations.

That doesn't make sense.  Mexx is owned by Liz Claiborne.

 

I don't think it matters that Mexx is a part of Liz Claiborne. Mexx origninated in Europe and is very prevelant there with numerous locations. They tried to expand the brand to the U.S., but it wasn't doing well, so corporate has decided to close Mexx in the United States. The other divisions around the globe will remain. This type of thing is really common for international companies possessing a number of brands. Some brands just don't work globally.

^Is there a press release, or other source for the reported U.S. Mexx closings?  I really like their clothes.  I don't think European styling has anything to do with it--there are plenty of Europeans in DC, for example, and stores like Zara and Benetton don't appear to be closing anytime soon....   

 

 

That doesn't make sense.  Mexx is owned by Liz Claiborne.

 

I don't think it matters that Mexx is a part of Liz Claiborne. Mexx origninated in Europe and is very prevelant there with numerous locations. They tried to expand the brand to the U.S., but it wasn't doing well, so corporate has decided to close Mexx in the United States. The other divisions around the globe will remain. This type of thing is really common for international companies possessing a number of brands. Some brands just don't work globally.

 

Exactly, perfect reverse example is Galeries Lafayette & Sonia Rykel.  Works in Europe..bombed here in the states.  Rykel, can't sell crap in free standing stores and had to switch to distributing the brand in neimans or select nordstroms stores.  I think NYC is the lone free standing store.

Off-topic, but I happen to be wearing a shirt from Mexx as we speak - I'd like confirmation that they're closing as well since I really liked their store in NYC.

If Mexx is closing, I may have to run across the street after work and stock up!

it doesn't surprise me that mexx (the brand) isn't successful, even if it is owned by liz cliaborne.  if the company is focused on profits, it is probably doing much better and has better margins in these other locations.

 

Me either with clothes like this:

:wtf:

^Is there a press release, or other source for the reported U.S. Mexx closings?  I really like their clothes.  I don't think European styling has anything to do with it--there are plenty of Europeans in DC, for example, and stores like Zara and Benetton don't appear to be closing anytime soon....   

 

I don't know if there's a press release or not. A friend told me. She was working on developing a new US  marketing campaign for them, but got a memo to stop work because the US division was being shut down. Benetton isn't closing, but I know its not been doing as well as it did ten years ago. Zara on the other hand is doing really well I think. With retail there is a lot more to success than good product and good service.

too bad. i love mexx. many of their shirts are made of heavy duty cloth, which is better than that thin papery cloth junk you usually see everywhere. they also have great ongoing sale merch. i have to avoid it, its one of the few places i buy something everytime i go in.

too bad. i love mexx. many of their shirts are made of heavy duty cloth, which is better than that thin papery cloth junk you usually see everywhere. they also have great ongoing sale merch. i have to avoid it, its one of the few places i buy something everytime i go in.

 

And thats a bad thing?  :?  Release your inner shopaholic! :wink:

^ it was just released at the damn barneys warehouse sale again. i cant resist stopping in there two or ten times....its just too close to home. that god thats over (for now).

^ it was just released at the damn barneys warehouse sale again. i cant resist stopping in there two or ten times....its just too close to home. that god thats over (for now).

 

Yeah, but the BWS isn't what it used to be.   :cry:

I recently spoke with a friend who works at Beachwood Place. He told me all about the new developments that are in process now, even though hardly anything has been publically announced.

 

CONFIRMED to open:

New relocated COACH store

MANOLO BLAHNIK (not publically announced yet)

New relocated SEPHORA store

LUSH (luxury bath products)

 

also, Abercrombie & Fitch corporate has been exploring the mall for a possible abercrombie kids, RUEHLno925, or Hollister Co.

 

finally, there has been much speculation about an FCUK and/or Armani Exchange opening as well. nothing has been confirmed, but both companies have explored the mall for possible locations.

 

 

Well I guess this is good for the overall Cleveland retail scene, but I was hoping the more luxury oriented stores would open in Pesht.

I recently spoke with a friend who works at Beachwood Place. He told me all about the new developments that are in process now, even though hardly anything has been publically announced.

 

CONFIRMED to open:

New relocated COACH store

MANOLO BLAHNIK (not publically announced yet)

New relocated SEPHORA store

LUSH (luxury bath products)

 

also, Abercrombie & Fitch corporate has been exploring the mall for a possible abercrombie kids, RUEHLno925, or Hollister Co.

 

finally, there has been much speculation about an FCUK and/or Armani Exchange opening as well. nothing has been confirmed, but both companies have explored the mall for possible locations.

 

 

 

yawn....... Good for the metro area that Beachwood is trying to step up to the plate and give cleveland a top tier mall experience, but this is nothing to get excited about.

 

Well I guess this is good for the overall Cleveland retail scene, but I was hoping the more luxury oriented stores would open in Pesht.

 

Pesht hasn't even been finalized, so I'm sure/have very little faith no leases have even been discussed.  So I'm not sure why we would even bring pesht into the picture AT THIS POINT.  :?

 

I'm hopefull that these types of stores will stay at beachwood and we get REAL LUXURY free standing boutiques downtown.

 

Coach..you can get anywhere...its not luxury

Manolo will do good business.  SATC types & SATC wannabe's will go just for the experience

Lush is the British version of The Body Shop.  nothing special, they've announced stores all over & are opening two stores in NYC.  Most of their stores are inside department stores.

AF, ½ step above H&M & Armani Exchange is the italian version of the Gap

FCUK new to the area so it might work, since there is no sisley, Killer Loop or United Colors of Benetton in Cleveland.

 

I know I sound like a total bitch, but I can't get excited about these stores.

 

SATC?

 

but i agree with your points MTS, welcome to the 21st century of retailing cleveland.

SATC=Sex & The City.  "SATC" is how we refer to the series internally.

SATC=Sex & The City.  "SATC" is how we refer to the series internally.

 

i find you and cohorts pretentious.

 

SATC is so three years ago.

SATC=Sex & The City.  "SATC" is how we refer to the series internally.

 

i find you and cohorts pretentious.

 

SATC is so three years ago.

 

Blame that on From Heights to Harlem's boss!

 

However, it SATC makes a shitload of money and its "fashion" influence has a long reach and it helps pay my bills...so I'm not complaining!  :-P

 

Before SATC, unless you lived in NYC or London who knew of choo or Manolo slingbacks? or ate at Fred's?  The show somewhat revived NYC fashion.  the various divisions at TimeWarner we worked with fashion houses to create the SATC shopping tour.  Its been so succesful, we've launched it in London as well

"I know I sound like a total bitch..."

 

No, you just sound jaded, pompous and pretentious.

 

"I can't get excited about these stores."

 

Or much of anything I would imagine ;-)

 

"Before SATC, unless you lived in NYC or London who knew of choo or Manolo slingbacks? or ate at Fred's?"

 

Honey, I met Pat Field and her minions (in passing) fourteen years ago, and for those who didn't live in NYC or London, Elsa Klensch was more than happy to spread the word.

"I know I sound like a total bitch..."

 

No, you just sound jaded, pompous and pretentious.

 

"I can't get excited about these stores."

 

Or much of anything I would imagine ;-)

 

"Before SATC, unless you lived in NYC or London who knew of choo or Manolo slingbacks? or ate at Fred's?"

 

Honey, I met Pat Field and her minions (in passing) fourteen years ago, and for those who didn't live in NYC or London, Elsa Klensch was more than happy to spread the word.

 

LOL...I sound jaded, pompus and pretentious...Sweetie, you missed the mark on that one!  I AM jaded!  :evil:  to a degree.

 

Ah...Elsa Klensch....sigh

 

MayDay I would expect you to know, but a high percentage of regular everyday, non fashion, non gay folks probably don't have a clue who those people are and still don't.

 

BTW...where the hell have you been??

how did Cleveland get that Manolo place? I only thought those stores were located in cities like New York or London or Paris. No offense against Cleveland or anything, but still.

how did Cleveland get that Manolo place? I only thought those stores were located in cities like New York or London or Paris. No offense against Cleveland or anything, but still.

 

I assume, because Beachwood is Ohio's premier mall and does have a HUGE draw.  They are trying to bring in "A" class stores and it looks like this is a start.

^after beachwood was able to sit upon its lofty perch for what, 10 years? Cracker Park and its tenants, finally forced Beachwood to stir up the cleveland retailing pot.

^after beachwood was able to sit upon its lofty perch for what, 10 years? Cracker Park and its tenants, finally forced Beachwood to stir up the cleveland retailing pot.

 

Actually, Beachwood started to fight when TC opened.  Beachwood treated TC, the same way Southwest treats USAir.

well the point is that they were getting very complacent in the market.

I believe the company that owns Beachwood also owns Somerset in the Detroit suburb of Troy. It is similar to Beachwood, although constructed more recently, I believe. Same sort of stores.

 

I remember I was tooling around in my little Honda Civic one day, and I crossed over into Troy for the first time, and I was passed by a Ferrari. It felt very symbolic. It was probably the CEO of GM.

i'm sorry, Somerset's stores poop down rain on beachwood's.

well the point is that they were getting very complacent in the market.

 

Pope...you're preaching to the choir.  

 

I've said it before, they could take a lesson from Lenox Mall in Atlanta, the Galleria in Houston or Dallas those joints are for serious shopping!

i'm sorry, Somerset's stores poop down rain on beachwood's.

 

I said the "same sort" of stores.

 

Somerset: http://www.thesomersetcollection.com/directory/alphabetical.aspx

Beachwood: http://www.beachwoodplace.com/mallmap.asp?mallid=1601

 

Neither of 'em has a Cinabon, and I think that's un-American.

i'm sorry, Somerset's stores poop down rain on beachwood's.

 

Yeah, although I dont like metro detroit, that mall is far better than beachwood.  

 

IIRC, they have a Nordies, Neimans, Saks, Cartier, tiffany, LV, Gucci, Kate Spade, Lacoste, Lucky, Barney's co-op.

 

the shame........

you don't get as beautiful as the people shopping at somerset by eating cinabon

 

anywho, back on subject.

I've said it before, they could take a lesson from Lenox Mall in Atlanta, the Galleria in Houston or Dallas those joints are for serious shopping!

 

I've been to Lenox Square and the Galleria in Dallas, and both I've found kind of underwhelming. I'd rather see something closer to Honolulu's Ala Moana Center. It's got the likes of Jimmy Choo, Tiffany's, Bvlgari, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hermes, Dior, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, Emporio Armani, Burberry and a lot of others. Aim high!

I've said it before, they could take a lesson from Lenox Mall in Atlanta, the Galleria in Houston or Dallas those joints are for serious shopping!

 

I've been to Lenox Square and the Galleria in Dallas, and both I've found kind of underwhelming. I'd rather see something closer to Honolulu's Ala Moana Center. It's got the likes of Jimmy Choo, Tiffany's, Bvlgari, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hermes, Dior, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, Emporio Armani, Burberry and a lot of others. Aim high!

 

I forgot about this mall.  Its great but it goes along with over expensive hawaiian market.  I find Lenox a very good mall and with phipps plaza across the street they have MUCH better shopping we have.  The Galleria's are both excellent locations

Why can't something be done with Tower City???  We almost bought a place at the Park Building.  Then, had to park at TC for one of the many real estate appointments and thought -- nothing exciting here.  What's the mall in Chicago?  Water Town?  Water Place?  Anyway, something like that.  Tower City could be at least half way there!

Water Tower Place in Chicago.

That's it -- been a while since I was there.  I still think TC would look good with some better stores and an upscale food court such as Food Life.  Would that be so hard to do?

That's it -- been a while since I was there.  I still think TC would look good with some better stores and an upscale food court such as Food Life.  Would that be so hard to do?

 

I wonder how many times I've said this in this thread. Retailers just don't plop down wherever they feel like. They look for a variety of market conditions: downtown worker population, resident population, average income, % of those with an advanced degree, etc.

 

That isn't to say, Forest City properties is marketing their properties well, or that the market conditions are getting ripe, but "Retailer X", isn't going to open up its store just because someone asks them.

That's it -- been a while since I was there.  I still think TC would look good with some better stores and an upscale food court such as Food Life.  Would that be so hard to do?

 

I wonder how many times I've said this in this thread. Retailers just don't plop down wherever they feel like. They look for a variety of market conditions: downtown worker population, resident population, average income, % of those with an advanced degree, etc.

 

That isn't to say, Forest City properties is marketing their properties well, or that the market conditions are getting ripe, but "Retailer X", isn't going to open up its store just because someone asks them.

 

Actually Pope, consumer demand (requests) is apart of the larger equation you described above.

 

Some retailers do install/open locations in areas where consumers "ask" or "campaign" for a location.

 

However, with FCs bad marketing, management and retention...why would a retailer open a store in TC?  As bad as I want TC to come back as our premier retail location, it wont happen until FC puts some money behind it.

^I think you are giving that category far too much weight.

 

I'll tell you what, let's all pick a retailer and we can write 1,000 letters and see what happens.

So you aren't buying a unit at the Park Building because TC isn't what it could be?

^I think you are giving that category far too much weight.

 

I'll tell you what, let's all pick a retailer and we can write 1,000 letters and see what happens.

 

No I'm not, that's not what I'm trying to say.  I'm just saying is a part of the processl.  That is why "internet sales tracking" is so important these days.  As stated before, because of the lack of major retailers & luxury boutiques, Cleveland is always a location high on consumer purchasing list for online purchases and/or where people live that shop in other cities for luxury goods.

^well start telling your friends who live downtown with downtown zips to start making major purchases.

^well start telling your friends who live downtown with downtown zips to start making major purchases.

 

I think, a while back i gave a list of zips that traveled to NYC for shoping and Cleveland had quite a few.  I know 44108, 44118, 44120 & 44122 (Cleve/bratenahl, Cleveland/Shaker, Cleve Hts, Shaker/Beachwood ) zips were on it.  I also had a list of chicago and S. Florida.  I'll have to dig them up.

^well start telling your friends who live downtown with downtown zips to start making major purchases.

 

I think, a while back i gave a list of zips that traveled to NYC for shoping and Cleveland had quite a few.  I know 44108, 44118, 44120 & 44122 (Cleve/bratenahl, Cleveland/Shaker, Cleve Hts, Shaker/Beachwood ) zips were on it.  I also had a list of chicago and S. Florida.  I'll have to dig them up.

 

Don't worry, I remember it.

well city of clevelanders...get on your PCs and get to shoppin!

well city of clevelanders...get on your PCs and get to shoppin!

 

but only if you live in a downtown zip code!

 

make all transactions at work!

does 44113 count?  I recently registered with Crate and Barrel for my wedding and despite the fact that none of the goods will actually fit in my apartment in Ohio City, I still wanted my Cleveland address on the "ship to" line with exactly the above thoughts in mind.  Crazy thing is, we're not purchasing any of it; people from all over are... still, it's probably more money than I've spent on myself in the past 5 years...all at once!