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2004 : AMERICAN APPAREL "T's" OFF CHICAGO MARKET EXPANSION Baum Realty Group Negotiates Locations In Chicago & Evanston Nov. 29, 2004 Seeking to build on the tremendous success of its more than 20 retail locations in four countries, Los Angeles -based American Apparel, the vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor and retailer of T-shirts and related apparel, has signed leases to open its first Chicago area retail locations. All American Apparel garments are made in a "sweatshop-free" environment in its 800,000 square foot factory in downtown L.A. American Apparel's first Gold Coast location – a 2,650-square-foot store at 46 E. Walton St. – is scheduled to open in December. A 3,350-square-foot location at 950 Church St., Evanston, will open in spring 2005. A third location in Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood will open at 1563 N. Milwaukee later this week. Each store will carry clothing and accessories for men, women, children and even dogs. American Apparel clothes are directed primarily at the youth market, but classic styles like the T-shirts are universal and appeal to all age brackets. "American Apparel stores are an exciting addition to the Chicago market," said Baum Realty Group's Janika Brenner, who along with Andrew Kahn of Cushman & Wakefield is representing American Apparel in its Chicago area market rollout. "The company has established a new way of doing business that has been extremely successful without exploiting workers. Chicagoans can feel proud to buy products that are high quality and hip, yet also socially responsible." During lease negotiations, the landlord at 46 E. Walton was represented by Urban Retail Properties and the landlord at 950 Church St. was represented by Claudia Gatti of Mid-America Real Estate Corp. American Apparel is one of the fastest-growing consumer apparel brands in the United States. The American Apparel line consists of over 3,800 SKUs and is considered the largest stocked T-shirt line in the country. By infusing a high-level of fashion into an everyday wardrobe item, the T-shirt, American Apparel has responded to the new consumer youth market without compromising its ethical business practices in manufacturing. Its business model represents the new industrial revolution; by leveraging art, technology and design, rather than exploiting cheap labor, the company proves to be more profitable and productive than its offshore competition. American Apparel is dedicated to paying its employees a living wage and to continually expand its employee programs and environmental policies, while striving to produce the best in quality and design. American Apparel has close to 30 new retail stores in the pipeline across the country and continues to open an average of 3 stores per month. It has been among the 10 winners of the ASI Fastest Growing Supplier award for three consecutive years, has ranked among the fastest-growing companies in America's inner cities (Inner City 100) for the past two years and received the 2004 California Fit Business Award. For more information visit www.americanapparel.net. |
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1030 W. Chicago Avenue :: Suite 200 :: Chicago, IL :: 60642 :: P: 312.666.3000 :: F: 312.666.7970 :: info@baumrealty.com |
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