Sunglasses and spectacles firm Warby Parker is moving from the internet into its very first bricks and mortar store.
The company secured its Sopho boutique at 121 Greene Street after a year long search. The store will take up some 2,500 square feet of prime real estate, although Warby Parker is refusing to disclose how much it will pay. We can guarantee it’s not cheap though, as ground floor space in the neighbourhood costs on average $200 per square foot. Warby Parker’s outlet is much larger than most eyewear stores in the area, and well located in the heart of Soho’s retail district. With neighbours like Paul Smith, Ralph Lauren, and Apple, Warby Parker’s new locale should enjoy plenty of foot traffic.
“They wanted to find a location and a size where they could they could fully express their brand, this is not going to be just another eyeglasses store,” explained Matthew Siegel of Cushman & Wakefield, a real estate broker representing Warby Parker. “It was a lengthy search in Soho and this is what they were looking for, the right location with the right co-tenancies.“
While the label’s online store will continue to flourish, its new Soho digs should help raise awareness of the company and expand its clientele. After all, Warby Parker is best known for its prescription eyeglasses, a product that many consumers prefer to buy in person.
Would you prefer to buy your sunglasses in a traditional bricks and mortar store, or do you love the convenience of online shopping?
[Source: Commercial Observer]
[Image Source: Christopher Fields/Flickr]
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