As assured as the sight of tulips blooming in Central Park, is the specter of Upper East Siders in velour track suits ambling as their West Side countparts sprint by.
No more! Athleta, the Gap sports brand that’s been slowly muscling its way into major U.S. cities, is opening its second New York location at Third Avenue and 86th Street. The retailer has taken 4,000 square feet in a long-term lease at 1517 Third Avenue.
Athleta is the fashion giant’s answer to the Vancouver-based Lululemon. The brand was previously only available online, but it’s been slowly rolling out physical stores in cities like San Francisco and here. Its first New York shop opened at 75th Street and Columbus, on the rival Upper West Side.
Gap’s long-time broker Robert K. Futterman’s Ariel K. Schuster could not be reached for comment.
lkusisto@observer.com
