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It’s official: the space formerly home to Dr. Mojoe has a new retail tenant. National Jean Company is scheduled to open at 761 N. High St. in early April.
The store −a partnership between local investors and National Jean Company President and Founder Jimmy Gurrieri− will be the chain’s 12th location and its first in the Midwest.
“Columbus, specifically the downtown area, has always been an interest to the company because of the demographic mix, the surrounding towns the area pulls from. It’s a great customer blend,” says Helen Kim, director of operations for National Jean Company.
In addition to “a well-edited selection of premium denim” for women, the 2,000-square foot Columbus store will carry tees, tank tops, leggings, dresses, shoes, and accessories, she says.
“We set our stores up to be a well-edited closet of sorts; it’s everything you’ll need for each season, for a night out, comfy clothes to lounge in, something fantastic that you’re dying for when you’re in need of a little retail therapy, plus fun, easy accessories,” she explains. “It’s everything from wardrobe staples to fashion-forward pieces.”
At any given time, the store will carry 10 to 15 denim labels, including J Brand, Joe’s Jeans, AG Jeans, 7 For All Mankind, and Paige Premium Denim.
“Our denim [prices] will range anywhere from $110 to $250 in general. Our basic tees, tanks and leggings, for the most part, are $20 and up. And our clothing components are anywhere from $48 to $250,” Kim says.
Denim sizes will range from 24 to 32; the rest of the store’s clothing will be available in extra small, small, medium, and large sizes. Shoes will be available in sizes five through 10.
What separates National Jean Company from other clothing stores is its business approach, Kim says.
“It’s all the details of how we run our business and everything we’ve learned for the past 18 years,” she adds. “We are careful and smart about the way we buy. We spend a lot of time analyzing our past and current business, and focus a lot on forecasting important upcoming trends.
“Also, just as important as the effort we put into selecting our product is the effort we put into customer service. Shopping should be fun and easy. Our staff is there to build relationships with their customers, to help dress them, fit them.
“The relationship doesn’t stop when the customer leaves the store; the relationship is a continuing process, as any friendship is. It’s about being knowledgeable, nice, welcoming, and having a comfortable atmosphere. We only invite people to join our staff that will genuinely care about our customers and our stores.”
As far as National Jean Company’s neighborhood competitor − Voodoo Denim Lounge, which is expected to open in mid-March at 780 N. High St. − is concerned, Kim had this to say:
“It’s difficult to comment on a business that doesn’t exist yet. People know what we’re about. We’ve been around for 18 years, going on our 19th. We focus on our business and what we can do better. We pay attention to our customers and what we can do to make their shopping experience better. I wish the owner, or owners, of Voodoo Denim Lounge the best of luck. I hope everything works out for them.”
Perhaps more importantly, National Jean Company is excited to be setting up shop in the Short North.
“We really love the vibe of the location and the mix of stores, and I can’t wait to experience my first Gallery Hop!” Kim says.
To shop National Jean Company’s online store, visit NationalJeanCompany.com.
Well, from my perspective, not realizing that it was women’s jeans only, I saw “no sizes bigger than 32″ and thought, “Who do they think they’re selling to, elves?”
Then I saw, “First store in the Midwest” and thought, “Oh my God, people on the coasts can’t possibly be that much thinner than we are….”
But yeah, I should have just let it go.
Hey, great! It’s just what the Short North needed! Another store that sells triple-digit-priced jeans in small to “average” sizes. I didn’t even know about the Voodoo Denim Lounge, but it’s good that they are opening. With the closing of G&Co AND Dr. Mojoe, what would we do?! I mean, I know Jinny has some in the $300 range. But I’ve never been to milkbar so I don’t know what their selection is like. We simply can’t have only two or even three stores selling these jeans. More boutiques! Yessssss.
Also, I think there should be some more quasi-upscale bar/restaurants with overpriced martinis here. Please, entrepeneurs, get to work! :/
@Bear – Sorry about that, I misunderstood and got annoyed by the “lol” that followed. I’ll stop harping on it now. ;)
@clumsybell – Totally agree on the first part of your rant, but the second part lost me. I can’t even think of a single place in the neighborhood that represents that, much less an abundance of them. At the end of the day though, I’m not really concerned with what goes in the spaces from a retail perspective because I’m not a shopper, but it’s better than EMPTY store fronts!!
Who is the local investor?
‘I wish the owner, or owners, of Voodoo Denim Lounge the best of luck. I hope everything works out for them.â€Â
If that was the case, then they wouldn’t be calling the city on the Voodoo store to try to get them shut down for possible violations (which do not exist).
Also, calling the vendors that Voodoo works with to try and get their accounts closed.
Real quality people over there at national jean company. They’re already burning bridges and they haven’t even opened up their doors yet.
And yes, Voodoo will have tons of mens clothing. There will be something for everyone.
@somertimeoh
I’m glad someone agrees. The second part was just referring to all the restaurants that keep springing up, many of which have filled in where other businesses used to be, like Black Olive and Bernard’s (which I’ve never been to, so it’s not really fair to bash, I guess). I’m just tired of the direction that the SN keeps going in. Even a couple years ago it was better than it is now.
But you do have a point about empty storefronts.
Which reminds me! The other thing that the Short North could use is a home furnishings consignment store. ;)
^^ sound’s crappy, but both seem uninspired /and many years late. If you’re in this price range and want to purchase locally check out milk bar and brigade, both are carrying higher end denim at similar price points.
great, just what the short north needs…another high-end women’s clothing boutique. too bad the short north seems hell bent on becoming the next easton. it used to be a really cool place.
while it doesn’t seem like a place i plan to shop, i find it somewhat appealing that a retailer who is apparently successful in other markets looked at the Midwest, sized up the terrain, and thought that the Short North was a logical place to invest. i also think it is great that local investors also decided that their new store should find a home here.
i also think it is decent sign that enough people care, positively or negatively, about what is moving in. but for those who want something different, there are several empty store fronts on and off High Street waiting to be developed into other visions of the Short North. while it will never please everyone, the neighborhood will show off its maturity and sustainability when it can present multiple faces to multiple audiences.
On a side note, i noticed today that they taped up the brown paper on the windows of G&Co., which usually indicates renovations or something “coming soon”. Anybody know of anything.
@jpizzow - i’ve been told (implying multiple rumors but rumors nonetheless) to think sushi or some other Asian inspired food theme that will take the G&Co space, the Robinett place and some patio space.
again, not what I think I really need in the neighborhood, but I am also not going to propose we block anyone who wants to set up a shop that doesn’t meet my personal needs.
I heard Typhoon was moving to the G&Co spot. I don’t rember where I heard it though.
This is going to be pretty interesting. I am all for as much retail in the neighborhood as possible. To those arguing about too much of certain genres, all that does is increase the gravity. The Short North is fighting against Easton, Polaris, Grandview (sorry to throw other neighborhoods in, just making a point and it’s a true one), Clintonville… for market share, not each other. I don’t know why people (the stores themselves more often than not) get so infatuated with store rivalries in a neighborhood. Two stores selling almost identical product will create more than two times the draw of one store doubling in size.
All of the latest openings throughout the past year or so just back up my theory that the Short North will become a fashion district in the near future. I’m not against that at all, as long as they keep some of the artistic roots of the neighborhood around. And whether you like an abundance of fashion oriented stores in the Short North or not, these type of stores tend to create more foot traffic. Maybe the neighborhood will become more of a shopping district, who knows. I’m willing to bet that this is where the Short North will end up in the next 5 years or so. Btw, I would love to have an Express down here.
it sucks that you cant just have a dream, rent a space and give it your best shot anymore. this national jean company really is doing a lot of dirty work to voodoo already to take them down and they aren’t even open yet. i hate to see what they do to them once they’re open. its a shame-we really could have several cool places in the area and it would only benefit us all. i just hope they don’t start going after brigade and milk bar once they’re done w/voodoo.
Who are the local investors?
National Jean Company responds to jimmydrift’s post:
http://threadstyle.blogspot.com/2010/03/stores-at-war.html
So wait…you’re going to combat the “dirty tricks” of National Jean Company by posting disparaging remarks and accusations about them on a public and well read website, and on a thread specifically about their opening? While I wish you success with your endeavor, airing your corporate dirty laundry in public before your doors even open doesn’t seem to be an encouraging sign.
Well, my girl will not be shopping here, 24 is the smallest? Most stores discriminate against skinny people.