The arrival of Brooks Brothers on Palmer Square next fall is not the only change planned for Princeton’s downtown. A women’s accessory store and some shuffling of spaces are also in the works. On Witherspoon Street, a tenant has been signed for the old Lahiere’s restaurant, but just who that tenant is remains to be revealed.
“I can’t comment on that,” said Jeffrey M. Siegel, president of ML-Seven, the real estate firm that owns the building, where renovations have been underway for the past few weeks. “The tenant will be making an announcement when he’s ready.”
Brooks Brothers, which will move into the 6,130-square-foot space being vacated by Banana Republic, is known for its line of conservative collegiate clothing, primarily for men. “David [Newton, vice president of Palmer Square Management] has been in discussion with them, back and forth, for some time,” said Anita Fresolone, Palmer Square Management’s marketing director. “They were waiting for the right space to present itself, and with Banana Republic vacating, it came up.”
Banana Republic will relocate to Princeton Marketfair in West Windsor. In mid-March, a women’s accessories store will open in the Palmer Square West space previously occupied by Terracycle, Ms. Fresolone said. “They don’t want to reveal their name until they open.”
Other changes on the square involve expansions and refittings. Luxaby Baby is moving down Hulfish Street to larger quarters. “They are adding a line of maternity clothing, which I think will be a very nice draw,” the marketing director said. The Paperie will relocate from its store next to the Mediterra restaurant to the former Pierre Deux space, also on Hulfish Street. “They’ll have a clean rectangle in that space, which from a merchandising perspective will be a nice fit for them,” Ms. Fresolone said.
The changes leave two vacancies on the square. “But there is always interest,” said Ms. Fresolone. “I’m excited for spring and for all our changes, because everything is for the positive.”