Shop: JCPenney x Joe Fresh Kids

Joe Fresh is partnering with JCPenney to bring you a fun fresh collaboration in kidswear today and tomorrow in the heart of Times Square. Just in time for the Back-to-School season the event is held in a live orange grove with plenty of family-friendly activities including kid friendly games, popsicles and a family photo booth! If you get there early, photos will be on display on a billboard in Times Square from 10am-2pm today.

100% of the proceeds from the event will be donated by JCP to Adopt-a-Classroom.

Who: JCPenney x Joe Fresh Kids Launch
When: August 21-22, 2013. Wed-Thurs 10am-7pm
Where: Pedestrian Plaza between 46th & 47th St at 7th Avenue

Joe Fresh: À la Canada

I'm visiting my hometown Toronto for the holidays and wanted to show you guys/gals the humble beginnings of Joe Fresh.  With their flagship store on 5th and 42nd and another spot in Flatiron, I forget sometimes that it all began with food...

Opening Day at Joe Fresh 5th Avenue Flagship Store

On Friday morning I woke up and decided to head over to the Joe Fresh Flagship opening and take a chance trying to snag a $100 Giftcard.  Upon my arrival at 9:25 am there were about 70 people ahead of me - some in folding chairs and sleeping bags.  With the sun shining it didn't seem so bad and plenty of friendly security staff were keeping things orderly.

The sun disappeared and it soon became chilly and tensions rose as temperatures dropped and people tried to jump the line.  Several people tried to cut the line making up stories that they were in line but left to get a bite or went to the bathroom but the truth was they were never in line at all.  Fortunately security guard managed to escort the line cutters away with minimal drama.  And at noon even had to jump in front of a last second line cutter who tried to follow the crowd into the stores.  Bravo to the staff at Joe Fresh for handling everything with great professionalism and courtesy.

As the doors finally opened I entered the store to all of the smiling employees decked out in bright polo shirts applauding as I collected my giftcard and started shopping the brightly lit glass cube of a retail space with shiny white fixtures and brightly colored merch.  The retail space was split into 2 floors with change rooms and cashiers on each floor.  I spotted a glass elevator bringing up racks of colorful stock to replace items flying off the shelves.  

Joe Fresh NYC Flagship Store Opening

At long last the Canadian purveyor of unbelievably affordable stylish classics is opening their New York Flagship store just north of Bryant Park at 510 Fifth Ave tomorrow at noon.  They are moving into the beautiful and recently landmarked Manufacturers Hanover Trust building that is the embodiment of modern architecture.  The building boasts 61000+ square feet of potential retail space for a multi-level shopping experience. But according to WWD, for now only 15000 square ft of space will be used.

To celebrate the opening, Joe Fresh will be giving away free $100 gift cards to the first 200 customers on opening day Friday March 30, 2012 starting at 12:00pm and a free beauty gift with $50 purchase to the first 200 customers on Saturday March 31, 2012.

Where: 510 Fifth Ave (at 43rd St), 212-764-1730
When: Opening Day-Friday March 30, 2012 - Doors open at Noon.

Regular Store Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm

Manhattan Bound: Joe Fresh

According to Racked - retailer Joe Fresh (a Canadian based retailer) will make its debut in Manhattan on 5th Avenue in dual level, 15,000 square foot retail space. Goooooooo Canada!

Joseph Miram aka the brainchild who started Club Monaco with Alfred Sung back in 1985 (subsequently sold to Ralph Lauren in 1999) began Joe Fresh which retails in supermarkets across Canada. One time my friend asked me where I got my track jacket and I literally said..."where I bought my chicken".

The clothing is unpretentious, clean, and great for basics. Best of all, the prices fall somewhere around Forever XXI and H&M's price points which is a plus for your wallet! Too bad the retail space won't be housing a grocery store - it's really a one of a kind experience to try on clothing while grabbing your bread, milk and eggs.

All images from Joe Fresh's Spring 11 collection courtesy of Fashion Magazine

Joe Fresh is owned by Loblaw (a gimungoid supermarket chain) which in turn is owned by one family - the Westin's...who also own a bajillion other things....including Holt Renfrew (the only lux department store in Canada). Can't wait for another piece of home to come to the city!