Just in time for the holidays, Newport-based retailer has opened its doors on Main Street.
Filling the space recently vacated by , this "classic luxury" retailer decided New Canaan was the right fit for its growing business.
New Canaan store manager and head buyer for all seven Island Outfitters, Jessica Wauters, said that founder and owner Greg Hall's approach to his family business made this "family-oriented town the right place" to expand.
Founded in 1994, Hall's emphasis is on finding and supporting new brands in men's and women's clothing. Wauters said that Hall was one of the first retailers to support a fledgling business called .
"Greg met the Murrays (founding brothers of Vineyard Vines) when they were working out of their parents' basement," Wauters said. She said he bought a few of their ties for his first store, which sold easily and he has carried the growing brand ever since.
Today, Island Outfitters carries Maker and Company, a men's clothier founded by New Canaan residents Chris Crowley and Steve Seelert, and are the only stores in the US to carry Holebrook sweaters from Sweden.
In addition, the store in New Canaan stocks popular names like Jack Rogers, Patagonia, Smathers and Branson and Dale of Norway.
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Other changes on Main and Elm, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tucker Murphy told Patch, include:
- Red Mango, another entry in the category. This national chain plans its first Connecticut store for Elm Street. They're scheduled to open their doors before Christmas.
- bluemercury, the make-up and skin care retailer, which will take over the Main St. location formerly the home of , which .
- Long-time Elm St. jeweler is closing its doors.
- is now planning on a mid-January opening.
- Owners of the space previously occupied by have told Murphy they expect to have a new tenant by the first of the year.
