Venerable fashion designer Eileen Fisher will open her first freestanding store in Minnesota at Edina's Galleria in November, in time for Black Friday.
Barricades already are up for the 2,300 foot store, which will take over the space formerly occupied by Ataz and Oilily. Ataz recently moved to another location within the mall and Oilily's parent company closed the store last year after filing for bankruptcy.
Eileen Fisher is the latest upscale designer to open doors at Galleria, following Louis Vuitton's arrival this spring.
Also set to open by the holidays: People's Organic Coffee, owned by French Meadow founder Lynn Gordon. Located across from Creative Kidstuff, it will sell free-trade, organic coffee as well as artisan wines and tap beer at its indoor and outdoor patios.
Eileen Fisher boutiques are located in Chicago and Troy, Mich., but this is the first in the Upper Midwest, according to a company spokeswoman.
Founded by Fisher in 1984, the Irvington, N.Y.-based retailer operates 44 stores in 14 states, as well as in department stores and specialty retailers around the world. The line can be found at Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Nordstrom in the Twin Cities.
The company's vice president of design and merchandising operations is Jonci Cukie, who formerly operated Jonci Petites in the Galleria, according to the company.
Jackie Crosby • 612-673-7335
