Commons at Calabasas
Developer Rick Caruso invested around $40 million in 1998 to create his open-air Commons at Calabasas as a core shopping center for the upscale residents of Calabasas, a valley suburb 20 miles north of Los Angeles.
Now, nearly three years later, his retail experiment is a thriving gathering spot, as evidenced by the rows of Lexus LX 470s in the center’s parking lot. Stroller moms, families with toddlers and local office workers not only shop and eat at the Commons’ Ralphs supermarket, Barnes & Noble, boutiques and restaurants, but also linger on its outdoor benches or by its streams and sculptures.
“From the benches to the lighting fixtures to the rose bushes, [Caruso] goes full-blast, and all-told, that’s what makes a difference,” said Fred Levine, co-owner of the m. frederic stores at the center. “Sales here have exceeded our expectations.”
Levine, whose Agoura Hills, Calif.-based company of boutiques includes a four-store fiefdom at the center selling women’s and children’s clothing, activewear and lingerie, said store sales dropped off the first couple of days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks but have returned to normal levels. He noted that customers have responded to the Americana tank tops and T-shirts recently created in conjunction with manufacturers Hard Tail, Project E, Lucky Brand Dungarees and Hank Player. Both the vendors and Levine are contributing 100 percent of their proceeds from these items to the United Way Sept. 11 Fund. Levine’s first shipment of Project E shirts sold out in days.
“There’s been no hesitation on the part of anyone to either make or buy these shirts,” he said.
Levine said that fall merchandise also is checking at the women’s store, which caters to “hip moms.” With the promise of cool nights ahead in this usually warm-weather community, customers are stocking up on shearling, full-length coats with faux-fur trim. Embellished jeans also are showing strength, especially those of San Diego-based Old Custom. The company has cut the band out of Levi’s 501 jeans and added different washes and tears to the fabrics.
Colorful Three Dots shirts are “blowing out” of the store, as are Klick’s Johnny-collar knits in stripes and solids, Levine added.
Designer Herb Fink, whose Theodore store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Calif., is among the last of that street’s independent boutiques, opened a branch at the Commons where the couture business is thriving, according to store manager Jona Strauss.
“People are buying smarter and making an investment in clothing they can wear in the future,” she said.
Strauss said premium cashmere sweaters in greens and burgundies by Lorenzo are strong sellers, with price points hitting $400 each. D&G peacoats and leather motorcycle jackets also are checking, she said.
Inside the all-white store, the store’s equestrian theme is featured in the center display, and Strauss said that Plein Sud jodhpurs have made a comeback. The form-fitting Lycra and suede-patched riding pants are popular in camel and cost around $200.
At Body, store manager Marla Esposito said that the No. 1 item being purchased by customers is denim, especially low-rise jeans by Frankie B., Miss Sixty and Earl Jean. Customers often buy two at a time and pair up the bottoms with Autumn Cashmere cardigan and turtleneck sweaters in brown and camel colors. The sweaters sell for $150 to $200 each. Tan and gray corduroy pants by Sky and Diesel are also customer favorites, she said.
Dress store Nkl has been bustling with customers looking for strapless taffeta dresses for their fund-raising and social events, said owner and designer Judy Lee.
“My customers have the most active social lives,” Lee said. “People still have weddings and bar mitzvahs to go to. They want to enjoy life and move on.”
