M.Fredric to Open in Malibu
Despite a tough economy, Agoura Hills, Calif.–based contemporary fashion chain M.Fredric will open its largest store at the high-profile Malibu Country Mart retail center in Malibu, Calif. The new store, which is scheduled to open the first week of August, will be located at 23410 Civic Center Way.
M.Fredric’s Malibu location will offer the retailer’s women’s, men’s, kids’ and active concepts. They will be located in a 4,200-square-foot space, which formerly housed furniture boutique Room With A View. M. Fredric’s new Malibu neighbors will include the 7 For All Mankind store and a John Varvatos store, currently under construction. The retail center’s management did not respond to a request for an interview by press time.
M.Fredric co-owner Fred Levine said he had been scouting locations in Malibu for the past three years, but he did not want to commit to one until a large space in the Malibu Country Mart became available. This store will serve customers who already shop at M.Fredric locations in Westlake and Calabasas, Calif., according to Levine. He said he also hopes to find new customers who live in Malibu, as well as tourists passing through the area.
Over the past four years, M.Fredric made a reputation selling premium fashions from labels such as Joe’s Jeans, Monarchy, Ella Moss and La Rok, yet the Malibu store will go native, Levine said. The store will carry more beach, surf and casual fashions year-round than the 28 other M.Fredric stores. M.Fredric stores are clustered in 10 areas in Southern California, including The Grove shopping center and stylish Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, Calif. In 2009, M. Fredric is scheduled to open another store at the upcoming lifestyle center The Patios at Westfield Valencia Town Center in Valencia, Calif.
For the Malibu location, an in-house M.Fredric team will design the look of the store, which Levine described as “laid-back casual.” Bamboo treatments, instead of traditional walls, will divide the different shops. —Andrew Asch
