Two years ago, Whole Foods became one of the first major national retailers to open a location in Williamsburg in a deal that appeared to presage the once-gritty neighborhood’s transition into a mainstream shopping hub. Now, that transformation appears to be gathering more steam. J.Crew, according to several knowledgeable sources, is taking a 6,000-square-foot store in the neighborhood, which just a few years ago was an outpost for artists and recent college grads, offering an eclectic mix of boutique retailers that catered to them.
Other major brands are also exploring the Williamsburg market according to sources. The electronics giant Apple, for instance, is rumored to be interested in opening a store in the area. Sources say the company has considered 242 Bedford Ave., a retail space across the street from the planned Whole Foods on the corner of Bedford Avenue and North 4th Street. So far, according to several sources, Apple has yet to pull the trigger on a deal.
source›› crain's
