34th Street Store News: Farewell, Billabong

Breaking news: we are sad to say that Billabong has closed its store on 34th Street today.

Shelves were being emptied, doors were locked, and staff were waving me away. I'm sad to see Billabong go, it's was a great looking boutique and I loved their Element line.

              

                      Regrets, I've got a few, especially not buying this cropped jacket at Billabong Herald Square.

The Times Square store, however, is still open for operations. Billabong is having problems, but hopefully the future will mean a strong rebound and a return, perhaps, to 34th Street. We will miss you and your surfer girl attitude, Billabong.




Billabong
Now closed at 112 West 34th Street

Sad News: Daffy's Closing Shop

A WWD article over the weekend confirmed that Daffy's is shuttering its doors, with most stores "...set to go dark by the end of October." Liquidation sales will "start shortly."

This is very sad news to us at the 34th Street Partnership, as Daffy's was a regional retailer that took great interest in the neighborhoods in which it operated stores. We would like to extend our thanks to Daffy's for its years at Herald Square, and say in earnest: We are really going to miss you. 

Personally, I'm going to miss the great deals Daffy's always provided, like much of the below from a store visit last week. Daffy's carries smaller, lesser-known European labels, in addition to some of the big ones. I'm going to miss the high quality, chic finds Daffy's was so consistent in providing. Also, their kid's clothing and shoe buy? Always the best in town for the price. 

Daffy's Herald Square

34th Street and Broadway in Herald Center

Esprit Closing: It's Not "Goodbye," It's "Hope to See You Later"

Word hit the streets yesterday that Esprit is planning to close all of its North American stores. I read the news this afternoon while shopping Esprit on 34th Street. Seriously, I'm not joking. I was in the store checking my iPhone and got an email from Intern Craig. Really, he should be on the payroll, he's always keeping me in touch.

Esprit flagship on 34th Street

Oddly I had just been thinking that the current sale (50% off the entire store) felt a little sad (see signage above). But I like to look on the good side: Esprit is regrouping, hiring new designers in Europe, and is rediscovering its "soul." I'm kind of freelancing on the latter, as that's what I want Esprit to do. Perhaps it'll be back in the future with its awesome, old-school-Esprit image intact. Good luck, Esprit, you'll always have a special place in my heart thanks to years spent pouring over your catalogs.


Esprit 21 W. 34th Street