J.Crew opened an accessory store in New York City yesterday. The new accessory store is actually apart of the store that is currently on Prince Street in Lower Manhattan. The mens section has been moved from this location allowing for more accessories! See the article from WWD below.

(Above is the accessories catalog from Fall 2008.)

Here is the address for the J.Crew location:

99 Prince St
New York, NY 10012
(212) 966-2739

J. Crew Opens Accessories Store
by David Moin
From WWD Issue 06/17/2009

For J. Crew’s spunky jeweled flip-flops, antique-styled cut-glass necklaces and sleek minaudière clutches, there’s a new showcase in SoHo.

Six days ago, a 500-square-foot space for the brand’s array of accessories, ranging from $7.50 hair clips to $298 Italian leather hobos, opened in the existing J. Crew store at 99 Prince Street. While the store leads easily into the adjacent 2,600-square-foot women’s floor, it feels more like a stand-alone than a shop-in-shop, having a separate entrance, windows and decor. The look is modern, with washed herringbone oak floors and vitrines inset in the walls, balanced by vintage elements like brass jewelry cases and a chandelier.

It’s an appeal based on spirited design and reasonable pricing. “The relative value is pretty compelling,” said Millard “Mickey” Drexler, J. Crew Group’s chairman and chief executive. “I think if a customer can find something that’s relatively well priced and under a certain price, and it’s fun, he or she will buy it.”

Asked to characterize the clientele, Drexler replied, “It’s the same customers shopping the designer stores.” They’re looking to spend less for products with style and of similar quality, he added. “The accessories can go with anyone’s apparel, but frankly we would rather have women wear it with our apparel.”

Among the bestsellers so far: strappy snakeskin and suede sandals, priced $298; leather ballet flats with neon trim, $148; chandelier-style earrings, $75, and antique bracelets with grosgrain bows, $95. “There are not a lot of places that have this level of detail at this price point,” Drexler observed. The shoes and leather bags are all made in Italian factories utilized by designers, and there is a smattering of non-J. Crew product, including a few Rolex watches, priced $2,800 with custom painted dials and Hugo Marie Bib necklaces.

The format is a takeoff of the much smaller “shoe salon” in the J. Crew Collection store at 1035 Madison Avenue. The salon displays some jewelry and handbags, as well as shoes, but without the breadth of product seen in SoHo. J. Crew plans a third accessories shop inside its East Hampton store, though the format is not necessarily a rollout strategy. “Not at all,” Drexler said, when the question was raised. “Right now, we are just thinking that we are loving the feel of it. Customers love our accessories. Nothing is terribly scientific for us. We debated what to use this room for. Probably, it makes the most sense for accessories. It shows off the merchandise more effectively than other stores. Usually accessories, by virtue of [requiring] little space, should be more productive than other categories.”

He also nixed the notion that freestanding accessory shops, independent of a J. Crew apparel store, could one day open. “We’re not thinking separate stores,” Drexler said. “Why have a customer walk to another store? We will always integrate accessories with apparel.”

The accessories shop was previously housed by Crewcuts, which has been relocated to the back half of the 2,400-square-foot lower level, where there was previously men’s wear. J. Crew now operates a men’s store nearby at 484 Broadway, as well as the Liquor men’s store at 235 West Broadway. By removing men’s from the Prince Street store, the children’s, women’s and accessories collections could be better displayed.

The changes on Prince Street also reflect J. Crew’s perpetual fine-tuning, whether it involves fashion or store formats, and its willingness to change and grow while having to work hard to manage inventories during the downturn. In the past few years, the company has launched stores for Crewcuts, men’s wear and Collection. Jewelry was launched in 13 stores in fall 2007, and by holiday 2008 was in all 206 J. Crew retail stores. The company is also beefing up its footwear and accessories catalogue, with the September edition to include an exclusive collection of Italian leather handbags including the Gallery and Minaudière Collections.

As far as the new accessories format in SoHo, J. Crew expects to quickly learn whether it’s working. “After a week or two or three, we should have a pretty good feel,” Drexler said.

Thanks so much to Rob over at fashionluvr who sent me this photo of the J.Crew store in Malibu, CA. The store is set to open today, with a party that starts at 4 pm.

If I lived closer to Malibu, I would definitely go to this store opening.  Sadly, I do not. 

But here are the details of the store if you plan on going:

Malibu Malibu Lumber Yard 
3939 Cross Creek Road CA 90263
310 456 6760  

Yesterday, J.Crew opened its third Mens Only store yesterday. The first one opened in NYC last year; the second one is in New Jersey. J.Crew announced plans for this third Mens Only store last October.

Over at A Continuous Lean, there is a sneak peek of the store with some great pictures!

Here are the details for the store if you plan on visiting soon:

New York Broadway 
484 Broadway NY 10013
212 343 1227 

Richard Haines will be at the store this weekend and he’ll create a sketch of anything that you’d like! Check out his personal blog What I Saw Today!

Last Thursday, a new J.Crew store opened in the Cherry Hill Mall in New Jersey. The new store opening also conincided wtih the grand opening of the new Nordstrom also at the Cherry Hill Mall. I had the pleasure of visiting both stores with my friends last Saturday.

The J.Crew is located on the first level. Both the lots next to it were empty with signs for leasing opportunities. I had never been to a J.Crew store that had just opened so I was very excited.

The assortment was very similar to what I have seen in other J.Crew stores. The April arrivals were all out. I saw a few new pieces that were neither in other stores or online. I purchased a dress that I will review next week.

My guy friend really needed a new wardrobe and the men’s selection was very nice.  It was very well stocked with most sizes available. The sales associates were all very helpful. When he got to the register, he was offered the personal shopper discount along with using his student discount. 

They even threw in some J.Crew stationery, which I was surprised and excited to see. What a nice little treat! It was probably because he spent so much because I did not get this little gift when I checked out. 

The stationery is pictured below. And here are the details for the store in case you are planning a visit.

Cherry Hill Mall
2000 Route 38
Cherry Hill, NJ
856-910-9901

A new J.Crew store opens in California today. It is located at the Bay Street Mall in Emeryville.

The store features both the men’s and women’s collections.

To celebrate the brand new store’s opening, receive $25 off your purchase of $150 or more.

This offer is valid starting today until the last day of March.

Here are the details for the store.

Bay Street Emeryville
5616 Bay Street
510-450-2548

Do you live in CA? Will you be attending the opening of the new store?

Please read of a review of the J.Crew sample sale in the post, “Review of J.Crew Sample Sale.”

Clothingline, the company that is currently handling J.Crew’s sample sale just sent the following email announcing price reductions at the sale. Their website even says that “5,000+ pieces arrived in a new shipment on Thursday. Next shipment expected Friday.” Have you already stopped by the sample sale? If so, what did you think?  If not, are you planning on going?

F I N A L  3  D A Y S

Hours:

Friday January 23 10 am – 6:00 pm Saturday January 24 11 am – 5:00 pm Sunday January 25 11 am – 5:00 pm

Dressing rooms will be closed for the duration of this sale. Our entrance and selling floor closes up to 30 minutes prior to close of store.

Congratulations to Miami, Florida! A new J.Crew store opens TODAY in Miami!

If you live in Miami and will be visiting this store, let me know!

Here are the details for the store:

Dadeland Mall
7535 Dadeland Mall
Miami, FL
305-740-2249

Please click here to see all the other new stores that opened up this year.

Congratulations to Phoenix, Arizona! A new J.Crew factory store has opened up there.

To celebrate the opening, receive $25 off a purchase of $150 or $50 off a purchase off $250 or more.

If you live in Arizona and will be visiting this store, let me know!

Here are the details for the store:

Outlets at Anthem
4250 West Anthem Way
Phoenix, AZ 85086
623-465-0178

Congratulations to Paramus, New Jersey! The J.Crew Mens Shop will be arriving in two weeks on Friday, November 14th. 

If you live in Paramus and will be visiting this store, let me know!

Here are the details for the store:

Garden State Plaza
300 Garden State Plaza
Paramus, NJ
201-845-9292

Congratulations to San Antonia, Texas! A new J.Crew store opens TODAY in San Antonio!

If you live in San Antonio and will be visiting this store, let me know!

Here are the details for the store:

The Shops at La Cantera
15900 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX
210-558-1072