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Retail Beat
J. Crew is coming (back) to Lake Grove.
Breslin Realty, headquartered in Garden City, announced Wednesday that the classic American fashion brand has signed a long-term lease at Smith Haven Plaza, a shopping center co-owned by Breslin Realty and Colin Development.
The store will occupy about 6,000 square feet next to the soon-to-open Nordstrom Rack.
The press announcement did not indicate when the J. Crew store would open.
This news comes on the heels of J. Crew on Saturday setting a June 28 opening date for its Southampton store that’s been in the works at 88 Main St. The new store will open at 10 a.m. that Saturday for a grand opening event.
Back to Smith Haven Plaza
Located on Route 347 between Moriches Road and New Moriches Road, the center already includes a healthy mix of food options and retailers, such as Old Navy, Ulta Beauty, Men’s Wearhouse, Shake Shack and Chipotle.
There’s also a Trader Joe’s.
The J. Crew that used to be in the neighboring Smith Haven Mall closed, though it was hard to tell when, exactly.
Either way, the move to the plaza highlights a growing trend: Lifestyle and fashion retailers are increasingly planting flags in open-air centers that offer easier parking and quick access, especially with highly trafficked anchors.
Smith Haven Mall is also changing with the times.
The Lake Grove shopping center is gearing up for a multi-million dollar renovation aimed at creating a more walkable, village-style experience, Greater Long Island has previously reported. Plans call for reimagined storefronts, expanded outdoor seating, improved lighting and new landscaping to help the mall stay competitive and cater to changing shopper habits.
Photo: Hold for Swayne Hall Business Photo-A shopper passes the display in the window of a J.Crew store in the Shadyside shopping district of Pittsburgh Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
