Popular Vancouver-based multi-brand women’s fashion retailer Aritzia has opened its biggest Canadian store to date in Montreal. Although currently the country’s largest, Aritzia’s expanded Vancouver store will rival its size when completed next year.
Aritzia’s new Montreal flagship spans in excess of 10,000 square feet over two levels in the former Mexx location at 1125 St. Catherine Street West. The store has a glass storefront and its main floor features a concrete floor finish, planted terrariums and custom video installations. A new escalator and a custom staircase lead to the studio-inspired second floor featuring a natural white oak floor and casual fixture arrangements. Custom millwork, graphic finishes and curated artwork are found throughout the space.
Aritzia will open several other Canadian locations this year, including a flagship at Halifax Shopping Centre as well as stores in Oshawa (Oshawa Centre), and Promenades Saint-Bruno in suburban Montreal.
Although it will be the largest in Canada, Montreal’s Aritzia flagship won’t be the largest in the chain. That honour goes to two Manhattan locations, with one set to substantially expand further. Currently, Aritzia’s Fifth Avenue flagship is the chain’s largest, spanning 13,500 square feet. Its 10,680 square foot SoHo unit will expand to 18,320 square feet this year, however, making it the largest in the company.
Aritzia’s Vancouver location will expand to about 10,000 square feet in early 2016. If including the adjacent Wilfred store (a brand owned by Aritzia), the Robson space will measure approximately 13,000 square feet.
Founded in 1984, Aritzia’s target market is women aged 14 to 30. Much of the clothing sold in its stores are its own exclusive brands, including TNA, Talula, Babaton, Wilfred, Wilfred Free, Community, Le Fou, La Notte, Sunday Best, Paradise Mine, The Castings, Six Eleven, and Auxiliary. Stores also carry clothing from brands such as Citizens of Humanity, Mackage, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Nike, Levi’s, Ebbetts Field, A Gold E, Havaianas, and J Brand Jeans.
