BOUTIQUE STREET
West Third Street Keeps Independent Flavor
Kate Spade Saturday, the younger concept collection from New York brand Kate Spade, just recently opened a store on Los Angeles’ West Third Street, generally considered to be a thoroughfare of independent boutiques.
The brand is a division of fashion juggernaut Fifth & Pacific Companies, formerly Liz Claiborne, but there has not been a land rush for the thoroughfare’s storefronts quite yet. While prominent boutique companies Alexis Bittar and Trina Turk maintain boutiques on the road, West Third Street remains an island of independence surrounded by national and international nameplates at nearby places such as The Grove, the Beverly Center and Robertson Boulevard.
Jay Luchs, executive vice president of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank, a global real estate–services firm, said he is in talks with a couple of prominent boutique companies to open shops on West Third Street, but he believes the place will keep its independent flavor. “It’s an alternative to Melrose,” Luchs said. One reason why it should stay independent is the spaces are typically smaller than what national retailers desire. Luchs also forecast that the street’s prices will remain reasonable. The average is $4 to $4.50 per square foot.
Influential indies such as Satine started on West Third Street and continue to attract fashion-savvy people to the street. And the street is still home to concept retailers, new multi-line stores and niche boutiques, such as men’s store Wittmore, suiting shop Duncan Quinn and eco-fashion boutique Show Pony. Trade show Liberty Fairs runs a space for pop-up shops at 8366½ W. Third St. Los Angeles–area eco-denim brand Tortoise is opening a pop-up shop there on Sept. 29.
Melissa Richardson Akkaway, owner of West Third Street boutique Beckley, said independent retailers such as herself are attracted to the vibrant nature of the street.
“It’s really alive,” she said of West Third. “It creates a reason for people to park their cars and shop.”
See a related story: What’s Checking: LA’s West Third Street
