Joseph Abboud To Gamble On Retail

Joseph Abboud, the fashion designer whose clothes are sold in Nordstrom's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale's stores, among others, has chosen Mohegan Sun, an entertainment and gambling resort in Uncasville, Conn., owned by the Mohegan Indians, as the site of its first retail location.

The 1100-square-foot store will be the only Joseph Abboud location in the United States solely showcasing its branded menswear fashions, and the first of several new locations that will be unveiled by the designer in the next few years. The store, to be owned and operated by Mohegan Sun, will feature a collection of tailored clothing (suits and sportcoats), furnishings (dress shirts and neck ties) and sportswear (casual items including leather jackets, silk tees, sweaters, etc.).

“I am very excited to showcase my collection in the dynamic retail and entertainment environment that Mohegan Sun has created,” Abboud said.

“The development of a full-scale retail division is a critical step in our brand-building strategy,” said Robert Wichser, president and coo of JA Apparel. “In addition to this space, we are aggressively looking for a flagship in midtown Manhattan and look forward to the opening of a planned Joseph Abboud store at Columbus Center in 2003.” Columbus Center is the entertainment, commercial, residential and retail center due to be completed in Manhattan this year.