With Greenwich’s commercial vacancy rate at a staggering 18 percent, it’s gratifying – actually it’s exciting – to see a new business open, especially in a landmark venue that has been empty for three years. The name of the business on Sound Beach Avenue is Fred, a women’s clothing store.
The store had a soft opening on Tuesday in the historic Lockwood building (1932) that was previously occupied by Kerr’s Pharmacy, which closed in 2006. The signage out front is still awaiting Planning and Zoning approval. Owner Kelley Frey named the store after her daughter’s nickname.
Seriously? After 3 years of vacancy, is yet another bric-a-brac and posh women’s clothing store the best we can muster in OG? Our little main street is already cluttered with shops like this — what can this one possibly hope to add? The Great Bush Recession showed us that rampant consumerism — especially the kind based on wildly over-priced tchotchkes and textiles from cheap foreign suppliers — is not the path to economic success. Beach House and Darlenes have shown in recent years that imaginative ideas are what our main street needs. There are a dozen better ideas for use of this prime space on Sound Beach Avenue. How about a yoga studio or expanded Just Books Too or anything but another temple of consumerism.
Comment by Don — November 4th, 2009 @ 12:13 pm
I had no idea Kerr’s had been closed for three years! Nice memories of Kerr’s. I’m glad the space is being used for a nice store. Looks great!
Comment by elleninmd — November 4th, 2009 @ 1:59 pm
Don’s comment sums it up quite well. It is unfortunate that OG’s unique personality is being dulled by such unimaginative retailing.
How about a gun store? That would shake up the liberal yuppies in OG!!
Comment by Cobra — November 5th, 2009 @ 1:01 pm
Fred is a wonderful addition to town. It has high quality women’s clothing and accessories that OG had been lacking. It is exactly what we needed.
Comment by pc — November 16th, 2009 @ 7:52 am
PC seems to be living under a rock… our town has wonderful , quality stores that have provided great service and elegance to our town. But snobs like you may not have noticed… I think its a shame that OG… cant attract more imaginative and exciting people . Oh wait PC is happy.
Comment by RA — November 21st, 2009 @ 6:25 pm
The owner of Fred’s brings years of high fashion experience to OG. You will not find “over-priced tchotchkes and textiles from cheap foreign suppliers” here. You should check it out.
Comment by sb — November 24th, 2009 @ 10:04 am
I would have liked perhaps another restaurant but heard that the zoning or parking made it impossible. Looking forward to checking out Fred!
Comment by Patty — December 4th, 2009 @ 10:30 pm