[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Stephy0519

Hmmm...that's concerning thus far. Usually malls with Bloominngdales also get some higher end stand alones like Ted Baker, Rag N Bone...etc. This just looks like a lower end mall with two great flag ships attached, so far.

That’s what I thought too. Jay

[mike fecke]

Originally Posted by Stephy0519

Hmmm...that's concerning thus far. Usually malls with Bloominngdales also get some higher end stand alones like Ted Baker, Rag N Bone...etc. This just looks like a lower end mall with two great flag ships attached, so far.

I kind of agree. It sounds vastly different from what they originally described a year or so ago.

[1000fc]

Originally Posted by Stephy0519

Hmmm...that's concerning thus far. Usually malls with Bloominngdales also get some higher end stand alones like Ted Baker, Rag N Bone...etc. This just looks like a lower end mall with two great flag ships attached, so far.

I know it was just an example, but I don't think Rag N Bone typically has mall locations. They have a store in Greenwich, are sold at at least 1 more location in Greenwich, as well as in 1 location in Westport. They have good reason not to open a mall location in South Norwalk.

Ted Baker is one of the vendors Bloomingdales sells. Having both a bloomingdales AND a stand alone Ted Baker store in the same mall is probably only done in very large Malls, or ones with a huge amount of foot traffic.


I think the store selection so far for the mall makes a lot of sense. They aren't trying to compete with Greenwich or Westport, but with Trumbull and Stamford. The people who will shop at the SONO mall currently have to travel in traffic to either of those 2 places, so this will be a significant time savings for their shopping.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by 1000fc

I know it was just an example, but I don't think Rag N Bone typically has mall locations. They have a store in Greenwich, are sold at at least 1 more location in Greenwich, as well as in 1 location in Westport. They have good reason not to open a mall location in South Norwalk.

Ted Baker is one of the vendors Bloomingdales sells. Having both a bloomingdales AND a stand alone Ted Baker store in the same mall is probably only done in very large Malls, or ones with a huge amount of foot traffic.


I think the store selection so far for the mall makes a lot of sense. They aren't trying to compete with Greenwich or Westport, but with Trumbull and Stamford. The people who will shop at the SONO mall currently have to travel in traffic to either of those 2 places, so this will be a significant time savings for their shopping.

Actually if you read the testimony the developers gave back when it was going through approvals, they were targeting Fairfield County shoppers going to malls in Westchester and into Manhattan to shop. They were supposed to be more upscale than Stamford or Trumbull. There is an upscale mall in California that has been mentioned here. Jay

[Connecticut203]

Interesting store lineup. It kind of looks similar to Stamford Mall store roster. I will be interested to see what other eateries and entertainment they will put in there.


Looks like they are really gonna try and knock out Stamford Mall. Stamford Mall owners really need to make HUGE changes in that mall, went in there yesterday and so many empty storefronts....

[allanny13]

Really concerning going more low-end. I would expect similar stores to the Westchester rather than some of these additions. But good news for Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Westport etc.

[Stephy0519]

Originally Posted by 1000fc

I know it was just an example, but I don't think Rag N Bone typically has mall locations. They have a store in Greenwich, are sold at at least 1 more location in Greenwich, as well as in 1 location in Westport. They have good reason not to open a mall location in South Norwalk.

Ted Baker is one of the vendors Bloomingdales sells. Having both a bloomingdales AND a stand alone Ted Baker store in the same mall is probably only done in very large Malls, or ones with a huge amount of foot traffic.


I think the store selection so far for the mall makes a lot of sense. They aren't trying to compete with Greenwich or Westport, but with Trumbull and Stamford. The people who will shop at the SONO mall currently have to travel in traffic to either of those 2 places, so this will be a significant time savings for their shopping.

Agree to disagree. I've been to many, many different malls all over the country and I've said numerous times in the past that I think this one is matching up to Century City Westfield, in LA. Which has a Bloomies, a Nordies, and a Macy's...and a Ted Baker, Vineyard Vines...etc.

Rag and Bone absolutely has mall location, it's one of my husband's fave clothing brands (along with Ted Baker and Theory...another stand alone I was sort of expecting.)

I used to live right there and I traveled to Greenwich, Westchester, and the city to shop or did it online. This mall has taken FOREVER...but it initially was intended to be the high end mall, for the area.

[Stephy0519]

Originally Posted by Connecticut203

Interesting store lineup. It kind of looks similar to Stamford Mall store roster. I will be interested to see what other eateries and entertainment they will put in there.


Looks like they are really gonna try and knock out Stamford Mall. Stamford Mall owners really need to make HUGE changes in that mall, went in there yesterday and so many empty storefronts....

This. That mall is terrible.

[jjbradleynyc]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Here is a link to the announcement. They include Apple, H&M, Victoria’s Secret, Bath and Body Works, Abercrombie and Fitch, Abercrombie Kids, Hollister, Talbots, White House Black Market, Chico’s, Altar’d State, Lush, Kay Jewelers, Pandora, EQ3 furniture, A Tutti Nails and Spa Salon and L’Occitane.

These are in addition to the previously announced J. Jill, Sephora, Soma, Zara, Made in China, Yardhouse and Pinstripes. Most of these are typical mall stores and a bit disappointing. I was hoping for some interesting and upscale places you find in New York but I guess you can't have only that. Jay

https://www.ctinsider.com/news/theho...457.1562848642

Interesting roster of stores for sure. I too, thought mostly upscale would've been the go-to's here.

Abercrombie & Fitch, Talbots, Chico's, White House Black Market, and several of the others are struggling retailers. As we all know, e-commerce has destroyed brick and mortar retail, sadly, and continues to do so.

This entire mall concept for Norwalk seems very late to the party and dated, in general. I think the Bloomingdale's will succeed and the restaurants/bars. However, the infill/mall stores may struggle and eventually leave vacant spots throughout this center.

This is happening in all cities/towns in developments "newer" and "older" across the US, thanks to most cities habit of over-building of box stores, and consumers' growing habits of shopping from the couch.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Stephy0519

I've mentioned this before, but I think it is going to be similar to the Westfield Century City. While this mall has some open air areas (it IS SoCal!,) you cannot enter the mall (OR restaurants) from outside, on the street. You have to park in the garage or enter a main mall entrance. So, take out the top floor being open to the sky....and I'm pretty sure this is what the Norwalk Mall will be like:

https://www.westfield.com/centurycity

I remembered this post where Stephy mentioned The SoNo Collection sounded like it was going to be similar to the upscale Westfield Century City in California so I thought I would check to see what stores they had. Surprisingly many of the stores there are more middle of the road and a few of the SoNo stores also are in Century City. I also looked at the stores at The Westchester in White Plains and even more stores appear to be the same. Maybe SoNo Collection will be similar after all. Jay

https://www.westfield.com/centurycity/stores/all-stores

https://www.simon.com/mall/the-westchester/stores