Rothmans to open Harry: A Rothmans Project in Bronxville

Rothmans, a staple of men's retail in New York City for over a century, will open a new suburban concept store in Westchester County this August. It has been reported that Ken Giddon, president of the family-owned business, has signed a lease for a 1000-square-foot store in Bronxville, New York, that will be called Harry: A Rothmans Project.

“Harry is a tribute to my grandfather, who truly was a legend in the industry, but his name is being forgotten as many of those who knew him are now gone,” Giddon said to WWD. “He was a scrapper, coming from a destitute family on the Lower East Side and a push cart of rags to build a major New York City retail store. He passed away without ever knowing that I continued what he had started.”

As a much smaller scale store compared to their 11,000-square-foot flagship in Union Square, Harry will focus on sportswear and gifts. The number of vendors for Harry will also be fewer, with only 10 to 15 vendors expected compared to the flagship store's 75.

The company plans on doing short engagements with certain brands, like pop-up style, to keep things interesting for customers.

In addition to their new Bronxville store, Rothmans also operates a 3500-square-foot store in Scarsdale, New York that opened in 2003, which includes Lubins, a boys' store, as a sub-tenant.

Harry will be located at 60 Pondfield Place and will be operated by the manager of the Scarsdale unit.

In 1926, Harry Rothman opened his first store on East Broadway on the Lower East Side, which replaced his cart he had on Delancey Street in 1914. For over 60 years, the store would be one of New York's most popular discount retailers, until it closed following Rothman's death in 1985.

The store was resurrected by Giddon, then a bond trader in Boston, who was called upon by the family to liquidate their grandfather's assets. In 1986, Giddon reopened Rothman's at Union Square, which originally started as an upscale discounter, but has since become a less price-sensitive men's store.

Over the past two yeas, the company has been focused more on offering things that appeal to millennials, like denim, as younger customers become less invested in things like suiting. Rothmans has adjusted to go with the times.