COAST TO COAST: LA's American Rag Is Headed For NYC

If all goes as planned, by this time next year, New Yorkers could be shopping in their own version of American Raga. Mark Werts, owner of that paragon of casual Los Angeles style, tells WWD that he has been searching for the perfect location to open a New York flagship for his famous store with a focus on the Meatpacking District and Williamsburg. Reportedly, he is considering spaces that range in size from 3,000 square feet to 17,000 square feet, so until we know exactly where and how big the space will ultimately be, we can't be sure exactly how much of the popular South LaBrea Avenue store will be imported to the East coast. American Rag is best known for its extensive denim bar (really more of an entire denim nightclub) which gives it the reputation of being the premier jeans store in a city full of jeans stores. Aside from that, there are sportswear and accessories for men and women as well as large café and home furnishing section. Aside from a Newport Beach location, Werts has not expanded the chain in the U.S. until now, though he has licensed the American Rag brand for an exclusive label at 700 Macy's doors along with another arrangement that puts 19 stores in Japan. The proposed New York store would be for a full American Rag location, the third in the U.S., and first on the East Coast, and his plan is to have it open by next Spring. Will it happen? we will see, but Werts describes his attitude toward this particular project as "Relentless".

Eastward Ho (WWD)