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34th Street Evolution
By admins | March 15, 2010
Today we have a shopping treat from our dear friend, down the block, Tricia Lewis. Tricia works for the 34th Street Partnership, a non-profit business improvement district that manages a 35-block area surrounding 34th Street. She writes a blog, Fashion Herald, to promote retailers in the district and provide a resource for shoppers. So many of you work in the neighborhood and know 34th Street is the place to shop around here, whether you have to run out at lunch to snag some make-up at Macy’s, stop by Banana Republic to pick up a shirt for your man, or mostly for all you designers, to trend research, check out competitors, and see how your products look on the racks. Well, there are lots of changes going on down the street and Tricia is going to fill us in!
It was great timing for 39th & Broadway to ask me about new stores coming to 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan, as there are so many upcoming changes that even I was getting confused! It is, truly, turning into musical stores down there. Let’s talk 34th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues, what is considered the prime block:
Aldo moved down 34th Street next door to the new Geox store, in a brand new space at 29 W. 34th;
Aeropostale moved into the old Aldo space at 15 W. 34th (Aeropostale also has a store just down 6th Avenue in Manhattan Mall, and their new tween concept store, P.S. by Aeropostale, opened in Manhattan Mall last spring);
Spanish retailer Desigual is moving into the old Bakers Shoes space; (We are super excited about this one, if you haven’t been to their Soho store check out their website here and await their 34th Street opening)
Bakers Shoes is moving down the block on 34th Street;
Korean retailer Who.A.U. is moving into the old Kira Plastinina space on the south side of the street;
An 18,000 Esprit flagship is opening soon at 21-25 W. 34th next to Aldo and Geox; (So thrilled for Esprit – we are having 80’s grade school flashbacks already!)
Foot Locker is moving out, and an Original Levi’s store is moving in at 43 W. 34th.
Bare Escentuals opened a new boutique last spring on the south side of 34th Street, and don’t forget the addition of JCPenney in Manhattan Mall last summer.
There are fewer changes down the block: at the corner of 34th & 7th, Tourneau is moving out and Swarovski is moving in its new concept store, Crystal Source. But the future is full of exciting opportunities for 34th between 7th and 8th Avenues. Older stores (including two Conways), are moving out, and lots of space is opening up, which further fuels rumors of popular big retailers coming into the district. I could speculate, but let’s keep it to fantasy: JCrew, Topshop, and American Apparel are just a few I’d love to see on 34th Street. (Yes Tricia, lets make this happen! Also, anybody else wish we had a good restaurant around?)
Why so much growth and change, particularly in a down retail climate? Mainly one major factor: pedestrian traffic. In the 34th Street district, it’s huge. Imagine, at our busiest corners, almost 9,000 people pass through during rush hour, and an estimated one million people pass through the district a day. Fifteen subway lines converge on the area that includes the Empire State Building, Macy’s Herald Square, Penn Station, and Madison Square Garden. You can imagine how attractive all this is to retailers: for example, the Gap at 34th & Sixth is the largest volume store in the country
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So yes, the reason why some of us New Yorkers are cursing while walking down Broadway and 34th (maneuvering our way around crowds and tourists staring at the Empire State Building), is the same reason why retailers are eager to join the block. My recommendation? Walk down Broadway Boulevard and through pretty Herald and Greeley Squares, so then you can enjoy the ride!
Our thanks to Tricia for all the insider scoop and be sure to check out her fantastic blog, Fashion Herald!
Here is more related scoop;
Topics: garment center, shop | 7 Comments » 
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March 15th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Ooh Esprit, how did I miss that? When does it open? How about an Anthropologie on 34th?
The tourist can make the area crazy but there really are some good finds over there.Great info, thanks Tricia!
March 15th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Anthropologie is definitely on the wish list, too! And we should do a restaurant story next – there’s not as many prospects coming in as we’d like, but it’s high on the list of projects in our company.
March 16th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
This is a great description of the 34th Street area. Rain or shine, it’s Always (with a capital “A”) a busy shopping district!
March 16th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
I typically on head to 34th for work related shopping. As you mentioned it’s good research for anyone working on department or specialty store brands. But for inspirational research or personal shopping it’s too generic, but obviously boutiques and indie brands wouldn’t be able to afford the rents, right?
Thanks for the info on the Fashion Herald blog, every neighborhood needs that sort of blog!
March 17th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Esprit flagship!!!! Now if they can add an FCUK, that would be fabulous (and I would def call my high school best friend about it ;-)
Thank u for this update fashionherald – XOXO
March 22nd, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Downtown Diva – yeah, rents don’t come cheap on 34th Street. But there are still some independent retailers in the district, the good ones are mostly just off 34th. It’ll be interesting to see what happens on the smaller streets nearby in the future.
March 24th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
Esprit opens tomorrow and I have an invite to get a free outfit (if I get in line in time). If not I still get $20 gift card for trying something on.
You get the invitation here: http://www.loveitandleaveit.com.
I’m getting there around 8 tomorrow – anyone care to join?