Daffy's to close

**philaman01** · 07-13-2012, 04:14 PM

Bart Blattstein should buy it and turn it into over-priced college dorms for hipsters. Oh wait, he already did that, didn't he?

**Jayfar** · 07-13-2012, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by thoth

I agree, got brand new tims for $60. Definitely a lot of junky, Steve Harvey-esque stuff, but some good values.

When I look through Daffy's shoes (and very occasionally find a pair to my liking), I'm always reminded of the infamous OJ Simpson quote, "I wouldn't own a pair of those ugly ass shoes."

**thoth** · 07-13-2012, 04:36 PM

I was once like you. But Timberland started producing some pretty stylish newer lines, and their quality is pretty good. I don't think $60 for a pair is too bad.

Originally Posted by Jayfar

When I look through Daffy's shoes (and very occasionally find a pair to my liking), I'm always reminded of the infamous OJ Simpson quote, "I wouldn't own a pair of those ugly ass shoes."

**Jayfar** · 07-13-2012, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by thoth

I was once like you. But Timberland started producing some pretty stylish newer lines, and their quality is pretty good. I don't think $60 for a pair is too bad.

Oh yeah, those are fine; they'd even suit the business casual dress code at work. But I was talking about some of the more bizarre looking, often pointy-toed, designer shoes that make up much of stock at daffy's.

**Jayfar** · 07-13-2012, 05:59 PM

Surprisingly, or not, the local mainstream media doesn't seem to have picked up on the Daffy's story yet, save for a short blog post by Jenice Armstrong this afternoon, a full day after we read about it on Philebrity. I'd be curious to know whether the whole chain is going down now, or just 'under-performing stores'.

Daffy's to close in September

**CountFunkula** · 07-13-2012, 06:04 PM

Timberland - Men's Timberland Boot Company® Wodehouse Cap Toe Oxford

This is the pair that I got there for $50

**RainboTeabagger** · 07-13-2012, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by philaman01

Bart Blattstein should buy it and turn it into over-priced college dorms for hipsters. Oh wait, he already did that, didn't he?

Man you must be as old as dirt. Hipsters don't live in the Piazza. You probably think hipsters wear Ed Hardy...sincerely.

**ewonder** · 07-14-2012, 02:07 AM

Originally Posted by hammersklavier

The building has 8 floors and a basement. In addition, I think they could (theoretically) expand into the disused upper floors of the Greble Building next door--floors which have no other convenient point of access.

AFAIK Bonwit's had 100k sf. So we'll be looking at courting retailers who can use 100k-~130k sf (if part of the Greble property can be folded in). Saks and Lord & Taylor, both of whom have aging locations on City Line Ave., could work if the intention is to go high-end; I personally think Century 21 is a better "fit" for the property, given the way they handle their Lower Manhattan ex-bank flagship and Morristown location (per krapug). Either way works: Saks-end directly competes with Boyd's a block away and C21 fills the same niche Daffy's has been.

A dark horse? Barney's. Their Ritt Sq. Co-op has apparently been a smashing success, and I wouldn't be surprised if they've been scouting for full-sized spaces nearby.

I could also imagine ABC Carpet at this location too. I think they would kick ass here in Philadelphia. I love Century 21, too. Do you think that, the first two floors of Strawbridges could be a good location for this retailer? Love to see some evolution on Market East, as well. Btw, Barney's would be a total coup.

**szekely** · 07-14-2012, 12:43 PM

oh no! My wife gets her slippers and Hello Kitty pajamas there!
And sunglasses...and shoes occasionally...
It's a great store full of clothing that is not made in China.

**Hospitalitygirl** · 07-14-2012, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by thoth

I was once like you. But Timberland started producing some pretty stylish newer lines, and their quality is pretty good. I don't think $60 for a pair is too bad.

That's stylish??

**Naveen** · 07-14-2012, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by aro1419

This space would be great for a new department store. If a new department store were to move into this building there would be new hope for Chestnut St.

Originally Posted by BarryG

isn't it kind of small for a modern department store? Anyway there is nothing wrong with that stretch of chestnut at all. If a quality retailer doesnt move it, there will be though.

Chestnut St. has a long way to go, but that stretch is pretty good. Still, the street's come a long way from where it was 10 years ago.

I always found Daffy's lacking but something was better than nothing. Hope at the least they get a Filene's Basement or a Nordstrom Rack.

**thoth** · 07-14-2012, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by Hospitalitygirl

That's stylish??

Compared to the construction boots that most people associate with Timberland? Yes.

Also, I like those Oxfords, Funk.

**Jayfar** · 07-15-2012, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by Naveen

I always found Daffy's lacking but something was better than nothing. Hope at the least they get a Filene's Basement or a Nordstrom Rack.

You don't know that Filene's Basement and its latter day parent Syms is gone?!?

Syms and Filene's Basement to close all stores by January - Nov. 2, 2011

**aro1419** · 07-15-2012, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by Naveen

Chestnut St. has a long way to go, but that stretch is pretty good. Still, the street's come a long way from where it was 10 years ago.

I always found Daffy's lacking but something was better than nothing. Hope at the least they get a Filene's Basement or a Nordstrom Rack.

That stretch of Chestnut St. is very good actually. I meant that if a decent department store were to occupy this space, maybe Chestnut St. would become the new "it" street, and this good stretch of Chestnut St. would expand.

**hammersklavier** · 07-15-2012, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by Jayfar

Surprisingly, or not, the local mainstream media doesn't seem to have picked up on the Daffy's story yet, save for a short blog post by Jenice Armstrong this afternoon, a full day after we read about it on Philebrity. I'd be curious to know whether the whole chain is going down now, or just 'under-performing stores'.

Daffy's to close in September

My guess is total liquidation is nigh--Daffy's was like Syms/Filene's Basement and so goes the way of Syms/Filene's Basement (which clears the way for Ross and Maxx Stores to more utterly dominate the sector, despite being an order of magnitude less interesting).

Originally Posted by ewonder

I could also imagine ABC Carpet at this location too. I think they would kick ass here in Philadelphia. I love Century 21, too. Do you think that, the first two floors of Strawbridges could be a good location for this retailer? Love to see some evolution on Market East, as well. Btw, Barney's would be a total coup.

Century 21 is one of the best fits for Strawbridge's that I can imagine--the only ones I feel are better are the PA-based department stores (despite the difficulty in getting them).

(Century 21, in particular, would kick the skuzzy-a$$ Ross's butt next door, were it at Strawbridge's.)

The ABC Carpets concept does intrigue me--how many sf do they normally use?

**Naveen** · 07-15-2012, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Jayfar

You don't know that Filene's Basement and its latter day parent Syms is gone?!?

Syms and Filene's Basement to close all stores by January - Nov. 2, 2011

Didn't know.

I agree that the space is a bit awkward (10-12K sq. foot per floor, as mentioned up thread), but...I'm no retail expert. I'm sure there are more narrow spaces with lots of floors in other cities that work successfully...right?

**OffenseTaken** · 07-15-2012, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by Naveen

Didn't know.

I agree that the space is a bit awkward (10-12K sq. foot per floor, as mentioned up thread), but...I'm no retail expert. I'm sure there are more narrow spaces with lots of floors in other cities that work successfully...right?

There's an H&M on the Dam Square in Amsterdam that's 33,000 square feet; not huge, but it's split up over seven (7) levels. Menswear is up in a penthouse in the corner, one or two floors past where the escalators stop running.

So it can be done, but here—who knows. Plus, stores with merchandise bigger than bras, shoes, and sweaters wouldn't even think about it. It's too bad, because we could really use a Century 21. That place is great.

**Naveen** · 07-15-2012, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by OffenseTaken

It's too bad, because we could really use a Century 21. That place is great.

Never been there, but when I'm in NYC I hardly do any shopping. But from looking at their site, it's a retail clothing store...so why not? (Or do they carry more?)

**OffenseTaken** · 07-15-2012, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by Naveen

(Or do they carry more?)

Do they ever! Luggage, appliances—everything you'd expect from a regular department store, but cheap. Also much neater, shinier, and cleaner than comparable places. Always crowded, but for good reasons.

**Hospitalitygirl** · 07-15-2012, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by OffenseTaken

Do they ever! Luggage, appliances—everything you'd expect from a regular department store, but cheap. Also much neater, shinier, and cleaner than any other discount-department store. Always crowded, but for good reasons.

Ok, they have lots of crap, but you lose credibility at neater, shinier and cleaner.

I don't get the enamored feelings for C-21.