In the latest episode of "as Oak Street turns," designer Juicy Couture, best-known for jogging suits with "Juicy" printed on the seat, is planning to make its Chicago debut while Enzo Angiolini is closing and Kate Spade is moving to a smaller store.
Juicy Couture, a Los Angeles-based brand owned by Liz Claiborne Inc., will take over the two-level, 4,000-square-foot store at 101 E. Oak St. where Kate Spade has operated since November 2000.
A far cry from Oak Street's heritage of upscale boutiques and European designer shops, Juicy Couture is a favorite of young fashionistas, including Paris Hilton. The company operates about 25 stores with two overseas and plans to have about 40 locations by the end of this year.
"Juicy Couture is young and fast," says John Jones, a co-owner of the men's clothing store George Greene at 49 E. Oak St. "When clothing stores come that are high-profile, it's just fine. It brings people to the street."
Kate Spade, which Liz Claiborne bought in December, will move to a 2,000-square-foot storefront next to the Esquire Theater at 56 E. Oak St. The New York-based retailer and handbag designer will sublease the space from Enzo Angiolini, a shoe store that's closing after moving there several years ago from Michigan Avenue.
A Kate Spade store manager says the retailer hopes to move in late fall, meaning Juicy Couture might open early next year.
Liz Claiborne was represented in the transactions by Sharon Kahan, a Chicago-based first vice-president with CB Richard Ellis Inc. Spokeswomen with Liz Claiborne and Enzo, which is part of New York-based Jones Apparel Group Inc., didn't return calls seeking comment.
"It's a strategic move for (Liz Claiborne)," Ms. Kahan says. "They wanted to have a flagship Juicy store. Chicago's an important market, and this opportunity came up. The new space worked for Kate Spade, so it all kind of came together."
She says Kate Spade is better suited for a 2,000-square-foot store, noting that its Oak Street location is one of the largest of the company's 23 stores nationwide. Ms. Kahan also says the addition of Juicy Couture continues the trend of Oak Street having a mix of high-end designers and jewelers and stores that sell more moderately priced wares aimed at younger shoppers.
"They'll fit in with what's been happening on the street," Ms. Kahan says.
Oak Street also has been abuzz recently with news that Barneys New York is moving to a new location; the proposed development of the Esquire Theater into a hotel and retail shops, and the pending arrival of well-known jewelers Harry Winston and David Yurman.
"It's an interesting thing to watch now that suddenly there's so much development on the street," says George Greene's Mr. Jones, who first worked on Oak Street in the early '70s.