NEW YORK — With this year’s sales expected to be upwards of $15 million, Bandier has opened a new store in Manhasset, N.Y., and plans to open another in Dallas early next month.
The activewear e-commerce site first opened a seasonal store in Southampton in May 2014 and another location in the Flatiron district last fall at 915 Broadway. The latter was initially meant to be a pop-up store, but its popularity led it to becoming a permanent one. Now demand in the Flatiron store has become so strong that in a few months Bandier will relocate the store to a 3,500-square-foot space at 164 Fifth Avenue that will include a 1,700-square-foot fitness studio with a loft ceiling.
While the Manhasset location in The Americana is 2,000 square feet, the Dallas one will be 1,650 square feet when it bows in Highland Park Village.
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Founded by Jennifer Bandier, the company offers 50 brands on its site with HPE’s $114 moisture-wicking Combat Capri and VPL’s $120 Neo Overall tank being current bestsellers. Bandier’s husband Neil Boyarsky serves as chief executive officer, leading a team that includes chief merchant Jayne Harkness and another seasoned fashion executive, Jesse de la Rama, who serves as chief operating officer. Bandier, a former music industry executive, started the company after deciding there weren’t enough fashionable activewear options for women.
Boyarsky said, “I still think people are exploring different types of exercise and there is a very social component to boutique fitness. They are trying different classes. And often they go out to dinner afterward and they want to dress as they would.”
The company chose the Flatiron district for its headquarters since the area is a hub for fitness classes with SoulCycle, SLT, the Fhitting Room, Tone House, Exhale, Equinox and others nearby. Bandier has relationships with the bulk of the boutique fitness clubs. “Our feeling is if they do well, we all will do well. People need clothing for these environments.” he said. Tory Burch will open her first Tory Burch Sport store in March in the neighborhood, which already houses such activewear stores as Lululemon and Paragon.
“Obviously, there is a big fitness business in the area but residential [development] is coming too,” she said, referring to the Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates-designed luxury tower going up at 45 East 22nd Street.
The company also plans to open three stores in the Tristate area next year.