The Mitchells (Westport, Conn.-based retailers) recently opened a 27,000-square-foot Richards department store on Greenwich Avenue (Greenwich, Conn.). The new store is expected to increase revenue, along with the Mitchells of Westport unit, to approximately $66 million, annually, from around $50 million in recent years.
The high expectations are a result of plans to expand sales with the addition of women's apparel. While men's wear will make up 75 percent of the store's business, women's clothing, accessories and shoes will not be short-changed. Some of the women's designers featured in the new store include Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Polo and Escada.
The new store is triple the size of its predecessor, which is located directly across the street. Designers at Fitzpatrick Design Group (New York) worked with owners to develop a Versailles flavor, sporting 3-foot windows, a glass elevator and hanging lanterns. The store also features a huge, hand-pounded wrought-iron and marble staircase, a bright interior, and all the latest merchandise from Zegna, Hermes, Armani, Hugo Boss and Prada – to name a few.