Abercrombie & Fitch was once an American mall staple, known for its racy ads and signature scent that wafted through its stores.
But the Western New York market has been without the once ubiquitous global clothing and accessories retailer since a location closed at the Walden Galleria in 2021.
Now, the Ohio-headquartered chain is making a comeback in the market, returning to the Walden Galleria in Cheektowaga on Nov. 1.
The new store will be located on the mall's lower level next to Zara and across from Sephora. It will fill 6,900 square feet, taking the place of the former Microsoft Store.
In addition to men's and women's clothing, it will feature a store-within-a-store for its children's concept Abercrombie Kids. Buy online, pick up in store services also will be available.
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The brand has more than 200 Abercrombie stores around the world.
The Abercrombie brand has had several ups and downs over the years, and has faced its fair share of controversy.
The company's reputation took a hit in the 2000s when former CEO Mike Jeffries said that not everyone belongs in Abercrombie clothing, just "the attractive, all-American kid," and proudly dubbed the brand "exclusionary." It has also faced pressure from fast-fashion brands such as H&M, before embracing some fast-fashion manufacturing.
Lancaster Save-A-Lot getting a new tenant
There are signs of life for a former Save-A-Lot grocery store in downtown Lancaster.
The property is being redeveloped and renovated to make room for new tenants. One of them is Pizza 151, a Rochester-area pizza restaurant with three locations in Batavia, LeRoy and North Chili. It also offers catering from its menu of pizza, chicken wings, subs and more.
Pizza 151 is targeting an April opening.
Apricot Lane Boutique closing Elmwood store
Apricot Lane Boutique, a women's fashion retail franchise, is closing its location at 1020 Elmwood Ave.
"With thankfulness to you and joy for the future in my heart, I am writing today to tell you that I am moving forward from new clothing retail and closing Apricot Lane Boutique Buffalo," owner Kristina Atti wrote on Facebook earlier this month. "It wasn't a decision that I made lightly, but I am very hopeful for the future."
A location in Orchard Park remains open. The Apricot Lane franchise has more than 100 locations across the country. The company was founded in California in 1991.
Barre Centric transitioning to Barre3 franchise
Buffalo's three Barre Centric fitness studios will soon transition to the Barre3 franchise concept. Over the coming months, the studios will receive new branding, updated class formats and instructor training to bring them in line with Barre3.
The three studios are located in Clarence, East Aurora and at 1665 Main St.
Barre Centric was founded in 2012 by former dancers Giavana De Zitter and Rachael Jarosz. Barre is a full-body, low-impact workout incorporating elements of ballet, Pilates, strength training and yoga.
Barre3 was founded in Portland, Ore., in 2008 by couple Sadie and Chris Lincoln. The chain has nearly 200 studios.
Little Salmon moves to Elmwood Avenue
The spot left vacant by longtime free-trade retailer Ten Thousand Villages at 736 Elmwood Ave., didn't stay empty for long.
Little Salmon has moved its operations from 230 Lexington Ave., to the Elmwood Avenue location. The eco-friendly retailer calls itself "Buffalo's first zero-waste shop," and specializes in reusable, refillable products that reduce consumption of things such as single-use plastics and are more friendly toward the environment.
In addition to selling things such as reusable coffee filters, cotton and bamboo cotton swabs and reusable lint removers, the shop has a "Refillery," where customers can bring their reusable containers to be refilled with such things as laundry detergent, hair conditioner and body lotion.
Nothing Bundt Cakes headed for Southtowns
Nothing Bundt Cakes, a bakery that sells a dozen flavors of bundt cakes with cream cheese frosting, will open a second location at Quaker Crossing in Orchard Park this week. It will be located in the plaza next to Cold Stone Creamery.
The bakery is a national franchise out of Texas. Cakes start at $30 for an eight-inch cake in a bakery box. Cakes can be embellished with any number of decorations for special occasions such as birthdays, holidays and sporting events.
The chain's first store to enter the Western New York market is located at 1715 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst.
Crumbl opens in Depew
Trending cookie-bakery Crumbl has opened at 4900 Transit Road in Depew. The brand is known for its signature pink boxes and its rotating menu of giant, gooey cookies.
Crumbl has locations Amherst, Clarence and Niagara Falls. The Utah-based chain was founded in 2017.
THE LATEST
The unemployment rate across the Buffalo Niagara region plummeted to 3.4% in September
A Buffalo 7-Eleven has shut down.
The drop in mortgage rates hasn't convinced many homeowners to put their homes up for sale.
A controversial Hamburg apartment project is up for review.
A private equity firm has acquired Empire Distributing.
A drive-thru coffee shop is coming to the site of the former Scotch & Sirloin in Amherst.
Independent Health is cutting 66 jobs.
A Lancaster manufacturer is consolidating its operations.
The third-quarter was a good one for M&T Bank.
The Buffalo Bills claim Rachel's Mediterranean Grill failed to pay more than $225,000 owed under a sponsorship deal.
Developer Robert Savarino is doubling down on his investments along Sheridan Drive in Amherst near the Park Country Club.
The site of the former Great Northern grain elevator will become a parking lot.
Buffalo Pumps is planning to expand in Niagara County.
The owner of the Courtyard by Marriott in Niagara Falls wants to double its size.
Changes are in the works for the Northtowns plaza that lost Paula's Donuts as an anchor.
Here's a closer look at the five companies that won $1 million in this year's 43North competition.
UB's president predicts big things to come over the next decade.
The Empire AI initiative is getting off to a faster-than-expected start.
Aloft Buffalo Airport to refund travelers whose eclipse reservations were canceled.
Moog agrees to $1.7 million settlement over Indian bribery scheme.
Loads of Love laundry project gets closer to launching.
ACV founder picked to run 43North Foundation's venture studio.
Canisius University is planning a scholarship program for city students.
Air Company gets cheap power for $30 million Orleans County expansion.
North Tonawanda apartment project gets nearly $5 million in tax breaks.
Facing a $7 million deficit, Canisius University looks to cut $15 million in spending as enrollment drops.
Workers at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo are trying to form a union.
Here's what's new for Buffalo Sabres fans heading to KeyBank Center this season.
A plan for a $29 million housing project on Buffalo's East Side has been scuttled due to a lack of financing.
Hanes Supply is seeking to double the size of its production facility in the Lovejoy section of Buffalo.
ICYMI
Five reads from Buffalo Next:
1. The food industry across Western New York has a growing hunger for additional workers.
2. The construction of the new Buffalo Bills stadium is reaching new heights.
3. Hiring picked up during September, but the region's job market still is stuck in the doldrums.
4. Cannabis growers have gone through the highs and lows of the legal cannabis market.
5. An East Side business accelerator looks for ways to just get things done.
The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the region's economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.
Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com.
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