Three for Robertson - 1969, Odd Molly and Armani Exchange Debut on Glitzy St.
Gap's 1969 debuts shop on Robertson
After a glum period on Los Angeles’ glitzy Robertson Boulevard, business might be rolling again. This week, three stores will debut on one of Los Angeles’ most high-profile shopping districts.
On Feb. 25, Gap debuted a boutique for its 1969 Premium Denim Jeans line at 109 S. Robertson Blvd. It will be a permanent shop compared with the 1969 pop-up shop that did business at 108 N. Robertson for a few months last year, according to a statement from Gap Inc. Some chatter from real estate sources said that the new 1969 shop is scheduled to stay open only one year, however. A Gap representative said by the time 2011 rolls around, Gap's place on Robertson will still be doing business.
There also was some talk on whether this new tenant would fit in its new home. The core prices for Gap’s 1969 jeans are modest by Robertson standards. They range from $54.50 to $85.50. Labels known for higher-priced jeans—such as 7 For All Mankind, True Religion, and Paige Premium Denim—all have prominent stores on the street, which is known as one of the cradles of the market for expensive, premium denim. Robertson also is home to the Rock Republic flagship store. Its popularly priced line is the Recession Collection, which starts at $128.
Any trash talk about the new kid on the block should be dispelled because nothing looks uglier than vacant space, according to Fraser Ross, owner of Robertson’s Kitson boutique. “We should never alienate any store from Robertson,” he said. And more stores are opening doors this week.
Swedish fashion fans might be toasting the latest tenant on Robertson. Stockholm’s Odd Molly label will debut its first American boutique, at 104 S. Robertson Blvd., Feb. 26.
Armani Exchange will open its first “concept” store, at 157 N. Robertson, on March 3. According to an Armani press release, the concept store will offer an edited assortment of exclusive fashions such as premium denim. Apparel News will be reporting more on the Armani concept when it opens.
