FILENE’S BASEMENT PLANNING 2ND N.Y. STORE, IN CHELSEA
Byline: Don Kaplan
NEW YORK — Filene’s Basement will open its second New York City store Thursday in the heart of Chelsea, an area that is rapidly becoming one of the hottest discount spots in Manhattan.
The retailer plans to set up shop in 40,000 square feet of basement space in the Siegal-Cooper building on the corner of Sixth Avenue and 18th Street. The building currently houses Bed, Bath & Beyond and will soon be home to a 60,000-square-foot T.J. Maxx unit, opening later this year on the third floor.
In its latest location, the 50-unit retailer will be going head-to-head with Today’s Man, Moe Ginsburg and possibly a Saks Fifth Avenue outlet store. Saks is reportedly searching for space in the area.
According to a Filene’s Basement spokeswoman, the Chelsea store will sell apparel for adults only. Other Filene’s units feature children’s, gifts and home furnishings departments as well as men’s and women’s apparel.
Filene’s operates another Manhattan store at Broadway and 79th Street.
The off-pricer, based in Wellesley, Mass., had reportedly been interested in a space at 150 Broadway, in the Wall Street district, but the deal fell through. It also reportedly tried unsuccessfully to expand its 32,000-square-foot Upper West Side unit to encompass the entire block between West 79th and 80th Streets on Broadway.
