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Posts Tagged ‘athleta’
After 15 years at Gaviidae Common, JV & Company is closing (50 percent off storewide now!). Part-owner and operator Nancy Karason will open the Twin Cities’ first Oska Clothing boutique at 50th & France in the space currently occupied by Gather. Don’t despair—Gather is actually moving to a larger spot up the street under the Arthur Murray Dance Studio after the first of the year. Meanwhile, Oska, a high-end German brand known for quality and comfort, is scheduled to open in March, and will offer a selection of Karason’s other favorite lines as well. Wait, there’s more: Another locally owned women’s apparel and accessories boutique, Suzetra, has leased the spot next to Athleta. No opening date set yet, but Athleta will open in time for Black Friday.
Tags: 50th & France, athleta, Gather, Oska, Suzetra
Posted in Twin Cities retail, store openings | No Comments »
 Fitness over food! There’s been much speculation about what would take the place of Ann Taylor Loft at the coveted southwest corner of 50th & France. Several local boutiques looked at the space, but couldn’t afford it, and there was some talk about a restaurant. I’m happy to report that upscale fitness brand Athleta is taking the spot. Nothing against the food industry – I just think 50th already has a robust dining scene, and adding another store–especially one new to the Twin Cities–makes this shopping district even more desirable. It’s also nice to see a chain pick a neighborhood location over a mall.
Known primarily for its catalog/website, Athleta was purchased by Gap Inc. in 2008 and is now aggressively opening stores, with eight to 10 openings nationwide planned for this year. (Watch out, Lululemon–and at 50th, Title Nine.) Athleta offers chic active apparel for yoga, hiking, golf, triathlon, travel, and more. Coming soon to 5001 France Ave. S., Mpls.
Tags: 50th & France, active apparel, athleta, edina shopping, lululemon, Title Nine
Posted in Recreational Gear, Twin Cities retail, Women's Fashion, store openings | No Comments »
Drama opens today at 50th & France. I got a sneak peek last night and was really impressed. Courtney Smallbeck has streamlined her store’s look – the apparel is more modern and sophisticated, but still at affordable prices. And still aimed at that young professional woman who wants to look cool at work, and after hours: over-dyed shirt dresses, patterned blouses, silk dresses – all less than $150. The on-trend accessories are $50 or less; I saw some studded leather cuff bracelets for $20 and intricate silver earrings for $40.
It seems like Drama moved into the former BluePeg space at 4946 France Ave. S. in Edina practically overnight, but the truth is, Smallbeck had been planning the relocation from Uptown for nearly a year. So she had time to drop lines sold by some of her new neighbors, and picked up new, lesser known lines like Bella Dahl and Funktional. She continues to support local accessories and fashion lines including Rox Minneapolis by Robyne Robinson, kjurek couture and Amanda Christine.
Drama looks to be a perfect compliment to the 50th boutique scene.
Stay tuned for the next 50th & France development: Lights were on at the former Ann Taylor Loft spot on the corner and while the lease signs are still up, the paper is down from the windows. Meanwhile, Athleta, the Gap Inc. fitness brand, tells me they’re coming to town, but has yet to confirm the exact location. I’ve heard it’s 50th & France. Just doing the math…
Tags: 50th & France, athleta, drama, edina shopping, store openings, Twin Cities retail
Posted in Twin Cities retail, Women's Fashion, store openings | 1 Comment »
On maternity leave (officially, anyway) for the summer, I imagined lots of pool time. What I hadn’t factored in was the smushy state of my midsection three month after batting out Boy No. 2. A tankini would be nice for a bit more coverage and comfort while swimming with a toddler, but then there’s the state of the boobs, which require some sort of underwire treatment. Good luck finding a tankini with underwire in stores. It’s the dumbest thing – these suits with extra coverage are really designed to fit women who probably don’t need it. I’m glad I complained about this on my radio show, "Shop Girls," because a listener called in and suggested Athleta.com, a great website where you can buy swimwear by cup size – tankinis and all. Brilliant!
Tags: athleta, athleta.com, Maternity, new mom swim suit, swimsuit, swimsuit with support, tankini, tankini with underwire, underwire tankini
Posted in Women's Fashion | No Comments »
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