Referencing {FAQ}

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Quick Stop at J.Crew's Collection & Accessories Store

Recently, I was able to stop in the J.Crew Collection store and the J.Crew Accessories store. The following are my quick impressions of both stores:

Collection store (at 1035 Madison Avenue in NYC)
Anyone planning to visit this store should have the address number written down. There are no large visible signs indicating the store is J.Crew. As many of you have mentioned, there is only the small script (shown in the image above) on a glass door that lets shoppers know where they are. ;)

Also, (as many of you have mentioned), the store is small. I mean really small! But this is NYC's Madison Avenue, so it definitely has a boutique feel to it. The store carried lots of Collection pieces, including last Fall's Python Jamie bag (Item 98959; $3,000.00) that sits under a glass case. I have a feeling that only one was made and no one bothered to purchase it. It wasn't particularly attractive, but it did make me long for my regular Jaime bag. ;)

For the staff... I am usually a big supporter of SAs (store associates). I (usually) find them to be pleasant, attentive, and helpful. Not so much at the Collection Store. I was either ignored or treated like I was in the way of another, more important customer for the 20 minutes I was there. In all fairness, I visited the store on a busy Saturday so I didn't mind it so much at the time. And the customers the SAs were paying attention to, looked like they were getting fabulous service. The only employee in the store who not only acknowledge my existence but made me feel appreciated was the security woman. So if J.Crew corporate is reading this (and according to the analytic software, they check this website about 10 to 20 times per day), give that woman a raise! :)

Overall: Happy I got to see the store that received so much press. Won't be going back. Ever.

Accessories Store (at 99 Prince St in NYC)
Talk about aesthetically pleasing... the layout was amazing. This store is actually adjoined via mini-hallway/ entrance to the 2,600-square-foot Women’s floor (with the Crewcuts and Sale section on the basement floor).

Despite the proximity to the regular J.Crew store, the Accessories Store had its own unique feel. There were tables full of accessories– including headbands, brooches, pins, jewelry, and the like. There was also a wall of Collection shoes and handbags, similar to the Collection Store (shown in the first image above). Incidentally, has anyone else noticed this layout– the wall of shoes & handbags– being duplicated in your local brick & mortar (B&M) locations? A few weeks ago I noticed one of my local J.Crew stores with it and thought it looked fantastic.

However, this space is tight! (Unlike the regular store that it adjoins– which is quite large.) Don't bother trying on shoes because there's no where to go. You can't even bend over without bumping into something. I felt like I was in Stephen King's The Shining maze, where I couldn't get out the same way I got in because the paths had changed (from free to full of people). At one point, I just stood for 5 minutes pretending to look at a Ballet Flat because I couldn't get out. ;)

For the staff... fabulous! There were lots of SAs on the floor and they knew their J.Crew! I had one SA proactively come up to me and say, "I like your bag" as I had the Large Leather Gallery Hobo (Item 13339; Regular $298.00; now $199.99). I turned around to say thanks and he added "and you are wearing the J.Crew Victoria Cami... you are all J.Crew-ed out!" Loved it! :)

Overall: Definitely worth checking out if you are in the area. Excellent array of accessories.

What are your thoughts on J.Crew's Collection and Accessories store? Would you visit (or are planning to visit) either store soon? Do you think these concept-stores are a good idea and should be duplicated in other cities besides NYC?

27 comments:

  1. I would love to have the Accessories store in my B&M area. Thanks for the review, Alexis!

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  2. Oh yay, lucky you getting to visit both stores! It sounds like it is quite the experience. LOL at your comment to J.Crew corporate :)

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  3. Thanks for the reviews of both stores, I would not bother with the Collection store if I ever get to NY, I dislike snobby SA.

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  4. Appreciate both reviews. Thanks. And I hope that security woman gets a raise!

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  5. OT: Today Show had Nanette Lepore and a JCrew outfit yesterday. It can be watched online at The Today Show:)

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  6. I am going to NYC at the end of the month - first visit in a couple of years - Despite the (mostly) sour comments about the SA's at the Collection Store, I just HAVE to go to check it out. And I will definitely report my experience back to all of you. And the Prince St. JCrew is on my lis as well. Not sure I'll have time for any other locations. After all, it is (supposed to be)a college visit with my son :)..............

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  7. Hi Alexis,
    Thank you for your timely review, as I am headed to NYC in two weeks. I'd really like to check out their regular stores, as my local b&m doesn't carry shoes, handbags or cashmere. I'm hoping they do there to see some new things IRL.

    Maybe I'll pass on the collection store - sounds like it is not worth the effort - but the accessory store sounds interesting. It will be a Saturday when I get to shop though, so, I guess it will be crowded!

    I haven't been to NYC for several years, so would you think the regular JC stores are definitely worth visiting? B/c there are plenty of places to shop, if they don't have more than my store! lol

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  8. I visited the Collection store last spring. It is hard to find, I walked by it twice & called once before I figured out where it was. When they answered the phone they said "Ten thirty-five", not "JCrew". THe store is small and I was disappointed they didn't have more unique J.Crew items. They did have a good selection of shoes and cashmere, some unique antique jewelry pieces, and a Mackintosh for J. Crew raincoat that I hope they make next spring because I want it! I had excellent help from a pretty blond SA. She is about a size 12 and I was really glad to see a SA who was the size of the average US woman. Beautiful girl and she was working hard! Fun people watching with the other customers and amazing dressing rooms.

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  9. Ooh, so jealous you have such a large J Crew to check out. I am lol'ing your shout out to J Crew. Too funny that they check up here so much. Thanks for the report!

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  10. as a downtown nyc dweller, i have to admit, i've never even bothered visiting the collection store! honestly, i can get to the outer boroughs and NJ quicker then uptown! but, one of these days i'll make the trek!

    that said, i visit the prince st shop all*the*time! many of the SAs know me fairly well at this point, and have never been anything but friendly and helpful (even when my impulsive shopping self is returning 7 items from 7 different online orders-yikes!) alexis--agreed on the size issue of the accessory section..it can get a bit crowded in there! if you're able to, visit during an off hour--weekdays are obviously quieter and if you can get there at open time on a weekend, you should be okay too.

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  11. Aww, sounds like the accessories store people were awesome! How sad that the Collection store didn't live up to SA standards, though. And aren't we all a bit J.Crew-ed out from time to time? ;)

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  12. Just noticed the Eden jacket is already marked down!!!! $118 this morning. :(

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  13. Recently started following your blog, and wanted to say its very enjoyable! I just wanted to add that living in N.Y. I frequent
    J Crew stores often, and agree with you as far as the SA'S in the collection store. They are definantly not as pleasant and attentive as SA'S in other J Crew stores.

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  14. I'm shocked that the Collection store SAs weren't so customer friendly. If I get up to NYC this fall, I will check it out, but I would probably not buy there. I live in Jersey, the land of tax-free shopping. It's our only plus. Hee. I would love to see all the accessories and shoes up close, though. My J. Crew stores usually don't carry so much in ways of shoes.

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  15. The accessory store sounds great, excluding lack of size and space. The local B&M only gets flip flops and rubber boots, so I'd love to see all the new bags and heels IRL.

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  16. Thank you for posting this, I have been to an abnormal number of J. Crews across the country (I check them out in the evenings when I travel for work) but not NYC. I must say the Collection store looks different than it did in my head. Did you see pieces in the store that we have not seen online? Are there items that looked better IRL than they do online or in the catalog?

    I have ordered both versions of the Collection Jules pearlized patent shoe. That flat is great, the heels haven't arrived yet.

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  17. I shop at the collection store from time to time and love it. Although, I've only shopped there on "non-peak" days, so I've received excellent service. The SA's are always happy to find my size, etc. I also like that I can usually find the "off-kilter" and unique items that I normally don't find at the regular B&M. I dress up more often than not, and sometimes the regular B&M stock is too casual, so I appreciate the collection store.

    I have been there though when wealthy UES dames are buying up the whole store and the staff is kissing their feet. This one woman spent over $3,000 in one transaction. She was like, oh add this, and add this, oh, I like that. Meanwhile, I was standing there with my ONE sale t-shirt(that wasn't even marked down on the tag, b/c you know, that's not cool to the rich). :)

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  18. My favorite J. Crew store has probably been Chestnut Hill in Boston. I lived there for a time and (two years ago) it was such a well stocked store with all the shoes, cashmere and cute jackets you could ask for. For the years I lived there, J. Crew was in its hey day, just amazing clothes. I wish they would bring back some of those items so I could have a second chance at getting them!

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  19. Great reviews Alexis. :) I lived on the UES when the Collection Store opened and in was in there at least once a week. There was one SA in the shoe room who always so nice. She has since moved on and I live way downtown now. I have had similar negative experiences to you so it's no longer worth the trip to me. It's lame that the SAs are the way they are at the Collection Store.

    It's nice having the accessories store downtown on Prince St. That store has some pretty cool SAs and their selection is decent. Madison/45th is still my fave though.

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  20. I am planning on making a trip to NY in Oct and I really wanted to stop by the Collection store but I have heard from many people that it is not worth it. Such a shame b/c the store looks so pretty. I may stop by if I am in the area but I'm not going to go out my way. Thansk for the review!

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  21. Susan-I could not agree more re: shopping in NJ! I just said the same thing to someone lol!

    I was really looking forward to trying the Collection store but after reading all the neg fb here about the prissy SAs, I'm not going. I can't stand employees like that. Alexis, I love your analytic software! You KNOW for all the distance corporate tries to publicly keep they can't afford not to follow your awesome blog. Now if they would just take some of the suggestions to heart.... Thanks for the reviews!

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  22. JCMama: I would love to have the SoHo Accessories store at my local store! :) It would be so nice for me, bad for my wallet. ;)

    Goldenmeans: It was a nice J.Crew experience overall. :) I am lucky to have such a great husband, who didn't mind the sidetracking from our day in NYC to visit those stores. I am happy that I went, especially after hearing so much about them. :)

    Casual-Crew: If I wasn't in the area, I wouldn't have bothered either with the Collection store. But like I said, I was happy I visited once since I read so much about it. I really don't know how J.Crew hosts parties with Jenna Lyons & Co. in that store. There is like no room for more than 20 people. ;)

    Summer: Thanks for the heads up! I will check it out. :)

    LaDolceVita: Congrats on visiting NYC! I hope you have a great time. I think Fall is the best season to visit (temperature wise- it makes walking around the city fun). Please do let us know what you think of the store! :)

    Suzy & Emily:: Congrats to you to on visiting NYC!!! :) If you are in the Madison Avenue area, you may want to step in. But otherwise, not worth it. I would recommend the SoHo store- and there's lots of other shops in the area- including the Men's Store, and Madewells. The Rockefeller store is always busy (forget about getting a waiting room), but it is big- so that's nice. :)

    JCrew1985: LOL! The collection store is hard to find!!! ;)

    MCC & MommyDearest:: It is kind of funny how much J.Crew is checking out this blog. The whole thing is kind of funny- I am watching them, watching me, watching them. ;)

    Stefanie: You are so lucky to have the Prince St. shop as your local store! :) Your advice to visit on the weekday makes total sense considering I went on a Saturday. I would definitely return. :)

    Amy Kelinda: LOL! I loved your "aren't we all a bit J.Crew-ed out from time to time" line! So true! So true! I also loved that the SA used Crewlang. ;)

    FFM: Thanks! You are so sweet. :)

    Luv Fashion: Well, at least we can take comfort in that we are not alone with the SA-experience at the Collection store! ;)

    Susan: If you do make it up to NYC in the Fall, I would highly recommend Prince St. It was so great that they had all the bags available to see and touch in person. :)

    CheesyGoodness: I know what you mean! :) I understand that not all stores can carry the expensive accessories, but its hard to buy something so pricey online with out seeing it. That's why I really enjoyed seeing the Accessory Store. :)

    Laura: You are not alone about visiting an abnormal number of J.Crews across the country!!! As far as stand out pieces at the Collection, it was the Jaime Python purse- I couldn't believe it was there, let alone under glass. ;) Also the Campo Bag was large, but not as large as I thought it would be in person- I really liked it. I thought I would love the Lexi Satchel, but found it to be okay. Turns out, the Campo Messenger Bag is gorgeous in person- really lovely in person!

    JC: I think you are right about the SAs, that they would be better on non-peak days. I couldn't imagine spending $3,000 in one transaction- but it sounds great! :)

    Roxy: Too bad your SA left. :( I also love the Madison/45th store- although I have not been in awhile. I should have gone there! ;)

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  23. I am a huge fan of the collection store...it is curated so beautifully. However, the sales associates there make it an awful experience. I have been there several times, purchased items, and receive absolutely no help. My experience there last time was so awful I was tempted to write Mickey a letter and complain. Because as you mention in your post, sales associates at every other location could not be more helpful or lovely. I think that regardless of the Madison Avenue location (I am an upper east sider born and raised) something needs to be done about the rude staff.

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  24. I went to the collection store as well and was as disappointed as you were. I found them rude as well and the selection was no different than any other J.Crew store.

    I also visited the accessories store in SoHo and was much more impressed too. Although the selection wasn't that different, the SA was helpful and it felt more like an upscale jewelry store than a J.Crew store.

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Dear J.Crew Aficionadas & Aficionados: Please feel free (and encouraged) to share your thoughts and opinions. :) However, please note that this is still a personal blog. So comments that are considered inappropriate (e.g. obscene, racist, homophobic, personal attacks, rude, and just plain mean) will be removed.

And now back to J.Crew! :)