More Bean Counting

L.L.Bean Inc. (Freeport, Maine) has announced plans today to open stores in Dedham and Mansfield, Mass., in 2007 and 2008.

Mansfield Crossing, the largest shopping center in central Massachusetts, was named as the location of the store slated to open fall 2007. The store slated for a 2008 opening will be located in Legacy Place.

The stores will be approximately 30,000 square feet. Both will feature a selection of casual and active apparel and outdoor gear. An exciting element of the new stores will be programs offered by L.L.Bean's outdoor discovery schools. Expert instructors from the schools will guide participants through a variety of introductory classes as part of their exclusive Walk-On Adventure program.

L.L.Bean, which had until recently confined its retail operations to direct mail and factory outlets, has recently announced plans to open several new stores over the next three years including one in September 2006, in Burlington, Mass., another in Center Valley, Pa., in October 2006, a third in South Windsor, Conn., in summer 2007, and a store to open early 2008 in the Colonie Center Mall, Albany, N.Y.

“Our expansion in Massachusetts signals what we will be doing in retail over the next couple of years,” says president and ceo Chris McCormick. “We now have three locations confirmed in Massachusetts and are working to establish a similar presence throughout southern New England, New York, and the mid-Atlantic. Within a few years I expect L.L.Bean will have 25 stores, and we are currently reviewing sites for store locations that would extend our radius westward by 2009.”

L.L.Bean currently has stores located in McClean, Va., Columbia, Md., Marlton, N.J., West Lebanon, N.H., and Freeport, Maine, the site of its original flagship retail store. The company also has 14 outlet stores located throughout the Northeast.