New Era To Open on Melrose

New Era will open a store in this Melrose Heights building later this year.

The recession has been as tough on Melrose Heights as any fashion district in Los Angeles. In mid-2010, more than nine empty storefronts pockmarked the Height’s section of Melrose Avenue, which stretches from Fairfax Avenue to Crescent Heights Boulevard.

More than one year later, more shops are moving on the street which remains the address to boutiques for labels Agent Provocateur, Parke Ronen, Tokidoki, Kid Robot and Tarina Tarentino.

New Era, one of the dominant players in the baseball cap market, will open a boutique at 8001 Melrose Ave. by this winter.The 2,500-square-foot boutique has been vacant since July 2010 when the pioneering Japanese streetwear label Bathing Ape closed up shop.

A few weeks ago, vintage inspired lingerie brand What Katie Did opened a boutique at 7970 ½ Melrose Avenue. The label is headquartered in the U.K.

Earlier this year, vintage fashion boutique L.A. Rose moved into 8064 Melrose Avenue, which was formerly the address for Xin, a boutique known for avant-garde and designer fashions. It shuttered more than one year ago and had a marathon more than nine-year run on the street.