Editor’s Note: As the new store is opened on Elm Street, J. Press will no longer operate the store on College Street.
The contents of my new inbox this morning (do yourself a favor and NEVER change site hosts) were as thus: an article on whether or not it is okay to wear shorts to work, an article about how to recycle your suits an ties now that you aren’t wearing them anymore… and so forth. And in between host changes and site redesigns and a new advertising package and my IT guy having a baby girl (CONGRATS Josh!!!) I went to my daughter’s last softball game of the year, where there were two other dads… in ties.
This is the late Sol Littman, a leader in the fight against anti-Semitism. He was also a pretty decent dresser. And a forecaster of how anyone under 30 was going to feel about wearing ties and suits and generally dressing trad.
You can stop reading, because J. Press just gave you the answer. By opening a new store adjoining its previous store in New Haven (that’s Connecticut if this is your first week here) the Ivy Icon (if Ivy were a mall J. Press would be both anchors) has told you which way the wind is blowing, so now you can shop there knowing that Ivy is thriving. I did not write “Ivy is ThrIVYing” but I did journal it (I sketch posts before I write them). And you all thought I didn’t do much editing.
Here’s the store:
Quote from J. Press President and CEO Jun Murakami: “Today is an important day for J. Press with our return to a permanent home right around the corner from where it all started. We are thrilled to continue to offer classic Ivy-inspired American clothing to the world from our traditional home of New Haven.”
I don’t know about you, but that looks like an organization that is prospering to me.
This is a view of the second floor. Gorgeous, right?
Robert Squillaro of J. Press, who in my opinion is one of the unsung heroes of the Ivy Reinvigoration (I have spent time in his office, and when I say I have spent time in his office I mean I have spent the whole time in his office learning – another guy who has forgotten more Ivy than the rest of us will ever know) told me that the plan is to move web fulfillment and logistics to this location as well. But he also said this:
“…making a strong commitment for the future of the brand/company.”
Which is one of my biggest takeaways. At the store you can buy all of the J. Press traditional merchandise AND the Pennant label assortment. Meaning… Ivy isn’t going anywhere but up.
Want to know how I feel about the new New Haven store? Take a look at this, and pay special attention to Dannie Richmond’s reaction to his own solo (2:45-3:00). Dannie’s verdict begins at 3:00:
Congratulations to J. Press! So glad to see that the new store is up and running, and looking quite prosperous, as John said. It is a rare day that I am not wearing some piece of J. Press clothing. Today, it is one of their classic gray seersucker suits, with a white OCBD and the Ivy Style club tie that CC put out a few years ago. Long may they wave on Elm St. in New Haven, 44th in NY and L in DC.
Ivy is a-thrivy thanks, in no small part, to this trove called Ivy-Style.com. J. Press making such outstanding wares and business decisions probably helps, too. Classic American style is flattering on just about anybody and on any body. It looks like there are enough people discovering this fact on an ongoing basis to sustain Ivy’s future in one form or another.
Be still my heart.
Bully for Squeeze.
I’ll be in New Haven next week; will drop by.
Want to know how I feel about the new New Haven store? Take a look at this, and pay special attention to Dannie Richmond’s reaction to his own solo (2:45-3:00). Dannie’s verdict begins at 3:00:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch71BX1PskQ
Three hurrahs and such.
S.E.,
Here I was trying to decide that jazz wasn’t so bad after all, when you subjected me to that noise and that adolescent reaction by D. Richmond.
I wish JPress would reestablish a presence in Boston – not just a sometime pop-up store
Congratulations to J. Press! So glad to see that the new store is up and running, and looking quite prosperous, as John said. It is a rare day that I am not wearing some piece of J. Press clothing. Today, it is one of their classic gray seersucker suits, with a white OCBD and the Ivy Style club tie that CC put out a few years ago. Long may they wave on Elm St. in New Haven, 44th in NY and L in DC.
Ivy is a-thrivy thanks, in no small part, to this trove called Ivy-Style.com. J. Press making such outstanding wares and business decisions probably helps, too. Classic American style is flattering on just about anybody and on any body. It looks like there are enough people discovering this fact on an ongoing basis to sustain Ivy’s future in one form or another.
Cool! I plan to visit the D.C. store at the end of the month when visiting my sister not that far away.
Kind Regards,
Heinz-Ulrich
“…and my IT guy having a baby girl…” Yeah, we know what you mean:)
No, he really did 🙂
Huzzah for J Press returning to its roots.
I’m also intrigued by the other dads wearing ties at the softball game … that gives me hope!
All the best for JPress in New Haven. Welcome home !
I wish that JPress would in some way open a presence also in Paris, France.
I will make a note for the next meeting 🙂