M.Fredric to Open in Newport Beach and Ventura, Calif.
M.Fredric is on the move. The contemporary-fashion boutique chain will open a 4,400-square-foot boutique at the Fashion Island retail center in Newport Beach, Calif., in May at the earliest. On March 1, the retailer opened a 2,000-square-foot boutique in downtown Ventura, Calif., more than 60 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.
When M.Fredric’s Fashion Island store opens, the contemporary chain will have 11 locations, which includes an outlet store and an e-commerce boutique.
Expansion during a sluggish economy is risky, Levine said. However, there’s also a greater demand for boutiques. “Real estate opportunities are abundant for established brands when there are so many vacancies,” he said.
Downtown Ventura was a good real estate choice because the place is underserved, Levine said. “Currently, the Ventura customer has to travel to Thousand Oaks or Santa Barbara to fill their branded contemporary-apparel needs,” he wrote in an email.
Fashion Island’s owner, Irvine Company Retail Properties, recruited M. Fredric. The retail center is dominated by branded stores but also hosts prominent independent multi-line boutiques such as Michael Nusskern, Gary’s and Lola Rouge along with American Rag CIE.
“Our focus is on boutiques that set us apart from other shopping destinations,” said Dan Sheridan, president of Irvine Company Retail Properties.—Andrew Asch
