Barneys New York, one of the city's most iconic clothing retailers, just opened a new location in a familiar spot.
The luxury retailer opened new store lower Manhattan store Wednesday on Seventh Avenue between West 16th and West 17th streets -- the same spot where founder Barney Pressman opened a discount menswear shop in 1923.
“The fact that Barneys is returning to its original home means that we’re keeping a piece of the original DNA of the brand, but also taking our history and modernizing it for the Barneys of today and for our future,” Barneys COO Daniella Vitale said to The Window, the store's blog. “There’s such a warm place in everyone’s heart about that original store, and all of the brands who started their careers with Barneys were so excited about having a bit of a homecoming in returning to that space.”
The new location spans 58,000 feet across five stories connected by a spiral staircase reminiscent of the original store, which closed in the 1990s.
The new location will feature men's and women's departments, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, a barbershop and a Freds restaurant for hungry shoppers.
Shoppers who used to shop at the original store on Wednesday said that they were excited about the reopening. One couple, Eve and Crawford Gordon, said they made a point to come to the store on Wednesday.
While the staircase is similar to the original, the Gordons may have been taken aback by what else has changed. The new location features sleek designs throughout and is a far cry from the old, clothes-stuffed store that opened there nearly a century ago.
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General manager Paula Faulk told NBC 4 New York that the new location will serve a new clientele in the fast-changing neighborhood of Chelsea.
"We felt it was a good business opportunity to return to Chelsea," she said. "It's a central location for downtown clients. We're thrilled to be back"
