Former Downtown clothing store to become a retail collaborative
It won’t rival the return of the Jenkins Arcade, but one Downtown building soon could host a collection of retailers.
Developer Millcraft Investments is turning the former Jos. A. Bank store on Fifth Avenue into a co-retailing space.
Ensemble on Fifth would house up to 15 retailers and artisans, including men’s and women’s apparel, jewelry, eyewear, beauty products and accessories, and shoes.
Millcraft envisions Ensemble on Fifth as a spot for online retailers or brick-and-mortar stores that are looking to downsize while keeping a
storefront presence.
In a statement, Millcraft President Lucas Piatt described the concept as a “perfect solution for online retailers who want to grow without the headache.”
“Opening a physical retail location is an expensive and time- intensive endeavor. Business owners have to deal with build-out, security, staffing, among a thousand other things. At Ensemble on Fifth, they can simply show up and begin doing what they do best — serving their customers,” he said.
The retail collaborative will feature shared staff, marketing opportunities and shared amenities, such as dressing rooms, Wi-Fi, security and janitorial services.
On-site shipping, private storage, photography booths and business center amenities also will be available.
Merchants can sign up for year-to-year, short-term or seasonal leases. Millcraft has set up ensembleonfifth.com for interested vendors. It hopes to open the coretailing space this fall.
Ensemble on Fifth will replace Jos. A. Bank, which closed last summer as part of a pandemic-related cost-cutting by parent company Tailored Brands.
Millcraft owns the building, site of former G.C. Murphy five-and-dime store.
A couple of blocks away, the Jenkins Arcade, once home to numerous shops, professional offices and restaurants, was demolished in 1984 to make way for Fifth Avenue Place.