L.L.Bean is set to expand its retail operation with the opening of its fifth New York store, scheduled for the spring of 2017.
The L.L.Bean store will be located at the Smith Haven Mall, which features over 140 stores and a variety of dining options, located in Long Island’s Suffolk County in Lake Grove, NY. The 16,000-square-foot store will feature an assortment of active and casual apparel and footwear, as well as outdoor lifestyle gear including hiking, fly-fishing, kayaking and winter gear and camping products. The store will employ approximately 70 people. This will be L.L.Bean’s fifth store in New York and its 31st retail store outside of Maine.
“We’re going to be infusing a bit of the Maine spirit and L.L.Bean brand into Long Island,” said Ken Kacere, senior vice president and general manager of retail at L.L.Bean. “People who may have only shopped with us through our catalog or web site will now be able to see and feel the essence of L.L.Bean in person. We’re thrilled to be coming into Suffolk County. There’s numerous bike paths, paddling and fishing on the Nissequogue and Connetquot Rivers, Long Island Sound or in Great South Bay and several other excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation.”
And this fall, just in time for the holidays, L.L.Bean will be opening a 10 foot by 20 foot pop-up shop just outside the entrance of the future store entrance. The new location is currently hiring and will employ 15 people. The new preview pop-up shop will open mid-October.
“Our pop-store will give customers in Suffolk County a sneak-peak at some of our great outdoor outerwear and our iconic Bean Boots, as well as a taste of our brand in preparation for when we open our permanent location in the spring of 2017,” continued Kacere.
L.L.Bean made the decision to continue to expand its retail presence into New York as part of its overall retail expansion plan and due to the store’s proximity to several abundant natural resources and multiple opportunities for many outdoor activities, as well as a population base that enjoys regularly engaging in a variety of outdoor pursuits. The store will allow the people of Long Island to experience first-hand everything that the outdoor retailer has to offer, such as quality merchandise, a welcoming shopping environment and a roster of ongoing demonstrations and clinics on outdoor topics.
Of particular note will be the inclusion of L.L.Bean’s Outdoor Discovery Schools, which will offer demonstrations, clinics and introductory hands-on activities like snowshoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, archery and fly casting, all designed to make it easy for people to engage in outdoor activities for health, fitness, and recreation. L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools’ courses are offered at every L.L.Bean Retail Store. In 2015, over 140,000 people participated in these programs.
“We are thrilled to welcome the first L.L.Bean store on Long Island to Smith Haven Mall,” commented Christopher Brivio, general manager for Smith Haven Mall. “The addition of L.L.Bean will complement our impressive collection of retailers and we expect the brand’s high quality apparel, footwear and lifestyle gear will be very well-received by its loyal devotees and new customer base alike. We look forward to the pop-up shop opening in October followed by the permanent location’s debut in spring 2017.”
Photo courtesy L.L.Bean
