NEW DUMBO STORE

COBBLED STREETS LEND A

GRITTY CHARM

Fifteen minutes is all it takes to walk (including the ferry ride) from Wall Street, Manhattan Island to Rodd & Gunn’s new Dumbo store at 81 Front Street, Brooklyn.

Dumbo, New York. Unless you’re a New York State native, it’s reasonable to assume you’ve never heard of it.

Yet, in the view of many, including Rodd & Gunn CEO Mike Beagley, you most certainly soon will have.

Renowned for its enthusiastically photographed urban architecture and landscapes, Dumbo offers itself as the archetypal representation of rapid gentrification.

Where less than two decades prior, manufacturing focussed warehouses dominated. A lively fusion of design studios and technology start-ups now occupy landmark building spaces and vintage lofts.

Cobbled streets lend a gritty charm, leading past an eclectic mix of art and eating outlets to waterfront green spaces with a spectacular lower Manhattan skyline backdrop.

Its proximity to the pace of Manhattan Island has made the neighborhood a magnet to affluent residents who stroll to Wall Street workplaces via the Brooklyn Bridge.

For the increasing number of tourists its surprising the area hasn’t developed as residential sooner.

 

FRAMES VIEW OF

MANHATTAN BRIDGE

Continuing Rodd & Gunn’s flagship store expansion into the United States, Beagley’s long cherished goal of a New York City location, Dumbo represents a relatively low cost, low risk entry point to this symbolic and important market.

“It’s a beautiful site in an amazing part of New York,” enthuses Beagley. “Our Front Street corner attracts photographers gushing at its framed views of the Manhattan Bridge.”

“While its marginally early for retail at Rodd & Gunn’s level, you can feel the vibe coming – much like Soho a decade or so ago.

“I like that so many technology businesses – Etsy.com for example – have arrived in Dumbo,” says Beagley. “It’s critical for them to be attracting talent, people we know are likely to be attracted to principles Rodd & Gunn stands for.”

Opening it’s doors in early 2017, the Dumbo store is readily attracting high income clientele seeking protection from the biting winter cold on the short walking commute to Manhattan Island. Attracted to the brand’s high quality, outdoor-inspired outerwear, the apparent value of Rodd & Gunn appeals. Often however, it’s the uniqueness and authenticity of the Down Under styling that gets the most enthusiastic comments.

“I’m hugely excited about the opportunity in front of us,” closes Beagley. “The Rodd & Gunn brand is strong in New York, both online and via key retail partners. The Dumbo location is a chance to demonstrate Rodd & Gunn experiential retail in the world’s most influential city.”