In the age of designer jeans, it’s hard to get excited about Levi’s, maker of sensibly crafted and moderately priced denim wear that appeals to your mother.
But in this, the age of the frugal shopper, Levi’s is apparently sensing an opportunity. The clothier is said to be working with PBS Real Estate‘s Laura Pomerantz to find new storefronts in Manhattan in which to hawk its 501 Boyfriends, its Low Skinny 531s and the like.
Ms. Pomerantz did not respond by press time, but a retail broker told us the firm is hotly pursuing a space on 14th Street in the meatpacking district.
“I can tell you that our focus on potential retail expansion this year has been on being opportunistic in the midst of the economic downturn,” said Jeff Beckman, a Levi’s spokesman. “We have not set any specific store expansion numbers, but are open to opportunities to secure prime space in outstanding locations.”
Right now, Levi’s has four stores in New York City: 1501 Broadway in Times Square; 25 West 14th Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues; 536 Broadway in Soho; and 750 Lexington Avenue, near 59th Street. Levi’s also recently signed a lease on West 34th Street, near Herald Square.
drubinstein@observer.com
