Men’s tailor Austin Taylor of Anaheim plans to open a boutique early next year within Irvine’s Metro For Men, creating what the two hope is a one-stop metrosexual experience.
Metro For Men already offers “manscaping”,hair removal,manicures and pedicures, pampering usually thought of for women. Other manly amenities at Metro For Men: drinks, cigars and satellite TV at each station and shoeshine chair.
In about 600 square feet of space, Austin Taylor plans to sell business casual and weekend wear such as jeans and shoes. Clothes are set to be displayed as outfits. Demi Burkett plans to manage the boutique.
“Now we can literally clean them up from head to toe,” said Dave Welch, co-owner of Austin Taylor. Cross promotions are possible, such as mini makeovers, he said.
“Our clients are so excited,” said Krista Martin, owner of Metro For Men.
Martin said she met Welch at a networking group for entrepreneurs. He later pitched the idea. Martin said it was a match.
“Our demographic is the same,” she said. “We attract the same client.”
Metro For Men opened about 15 months ago. Martin said business has been growing every month.
The boutique, expected to open in January, will be the second spot for Austin Taylor. The tailor is scouting a South County location to move its Anaheim headquarters and retail store, which is being displaced by redevelopment. Austin Taylor’s current building is set to be turned into condominiums.
For the Women
Women’s clothier Mercer & Co. has opened its third shop, this one at The Shops at Mission Viejo.
The Sammamish, Wash.-based company was founded by former Nordstrom employees. Mercer carries designer jeans and T-shirts.
“Mercer is a draw,” said Patsy Sanquist, area director of marketing for Simon Properties Group Inc., owner of The Shops at Mission Viejo. “It’s a destination store.”
More Tiffany
Tiffany & Co. has expanded its South Coast Plaza store for the holidays. It opened a small boutique connected to its main store. The addition is permanent. Plans for the space after the holidays are due in January.
Face Time
The FaceShop, a trendy South Korean cosmetic store, has opened its second U.S. shop near Macy’s at Fashion Island.
FaceShop’s first U.S. store is in New York. The chain, which has about 360 stores in South Korea, was founded in 2003. The company aims to get 60% of its sales from outside South Korea by 2010, according to a recent story in Business Week. FaceShop is looking mainly at Japan, China and the U.S.
Desperate Daughter
Andrea Bowen, who plays Teri Hatcher’s daughter on “Desperate Housewives,” hosted South Coast Plaza’s holiday tree lighting ceremony.
While retailers used deep discounts to draw customers on Black Friday, Abercrombie & Fitch at South Coast Plaza used a shirtless young male, who manned the door.
By 10 a.m. on the day after Thanksgiving, nearly all the local media hit South Coast Plaza’s media room inside Atelier, Troquet restaurant’s private dining area.
There, the shopping center served gingerbread lattes and a spread of goodies. Jacquelyn Smith of Georgette Klinger, a medical spa, gave hand massages.
National media made a pitstop, as did David Grant, South Coast Plaza’s manager.
The Swatch store at South Coast Plaza cranked out watch sales on Black Friday. In fact, of the 600 Swatch stores, the South Coast Plaza store was No. 2 in sales, according to manager Rachel Wise. No. 1 was the Times Square store.
