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Nordstrom Rack Opens in New York City Tomorrow–Will You Be Shopping?
By Lauren Sherman
I’ve been shopping at discount retailers since I can remember–And my favorites have always been TJ Maxx and Marshalls. (Especially the Marshalls on Boylston Street in Boston, at which I used to get great leftovers from Louis‘ down the block.)
I’ve picked up a Barneys cast-off now and then at Loehmann’s, but I’ve never had a smidgen of luck at Century 21. (I applaud anyone who can mentally handle that place–for those of you outside of the New York tri-state area, Century 21 is a crazy, crazy designer discount nightmare way downtown.) Filene’s Basement? No thanks. Burlington Coat Factory? If you’re willing to dig, there are some treasures to be found. And Daffy’s? I just don’t feel comfortable there. The atmosphere is odd. (It might be the grey walls. Seriously.)
But Nordstrom Rack? That’s one I’m not too familiar with.
Growing up in Pittsburgh, we utilized nearby Off 5th outlets, but Rack was nowhere to be found. Tomorrow, a new Rack will open on New York’s Union Square. The outlet will allow the Seattle-based retailer to feel out the city’s retail climate without (yet) committing to opening a full-priced store here.
Of course, New Yorkers are always looking for a great bargain, but I find that, with all the fantastic sample sales occurring (including Opening Ceremony’s and Steven Alan’s, both coming up), I don’t look to discount retailers as much as I used to. Will you shop at Nordstrom Rack? If you have in the past, how would you rate the experience?
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Nordstrom Rack is amazing, although the shoe department can get a little nutty. You can get great deals on anything … Spanx, various designers, homegoods… You can use your Nordstrom Card and purchases count towards your Nordstrom Points total…
i think it's the mannequins at daffy's that scare me
It's just weird in there, right?
Nordstrom Rack (Chicago locations, at least) are very good for shoes, but certainly requires digging. They usually have a decent stock of jeans, as well.
But, for me it's the twice a year when they get in the designer stuff that didn't sell during the regular store's clearance. Isabel Toledo strapless cocktail dress, $600!! I even tried on a Rodarte (OK it almost made me cry to see it there, stuffed into a rack, but I had to try it on…) that was marked down to $1200. Often they have stuff directly from the regular store right up the street, so if you time your shopping correctly you can get a steep discount just a few days after it's left the store.
That said, I don't know how well the designer stuff will translate to NY, since you don't have the actual store.
maybe if they merchandised the windows better? yeah it is weird. there is a depressing air about the way things are presented in some of the discount stores.
Nordstrom Racks in Texas preferably Austin and San Marcos are AMAZING and very well organized, I've never had to dig, prices are amazing, great deals!
Hope the one in NY is as great as the one's I've encountered :D
I hadn't been to N Rack in years (my mom took me there all the time as a kid) but I just went to the new one across from Northpark in Dallas yesterday. The selection of clothing for guys is dismal, and the ladies section was OK although most of it I consider “mid-range;” labels like DVF, Edun, etc. that weren't really marked down enough to consider anything a “steal.” What I did like was the random assortment of high-end hair products! Kerastase 50% off, Bumble & Bumble, Toni and Guy … Men's underwear too! My bf bought 2 pairs of 2xist for $6 apiece … I'd rather go to a fun second-hand store for discounted clothes, or an estate sale.
Full Disclosure Here: I work for Nordstrom in Seattle, and have previously worked at a Nordstrom Rack in Seattle, I love it for a multitude of reasons. They have a great selection of merchandise, you have to do tons of searching but will eventually find some crazy deals, I have purchased $30 Alice + Olivia slacks, seriously discounted missoni skirt, a $60 marc by marc handbag, $13 coach rainboots, and cheap j brand jeans. As a former New Yorker, I think it is exciting that there will be a Nordstrom Rack in the city for people that want some great fashion on a budget (not everyone can pay full price).
they opened one in paramus not too long ago. i was so excited to finally check it, since many non NYC ladies rave about it, but was ultimately disappointed. a lot of mid-range contemporary brands (marc by mj, seven) as someone else pointed out. nothing wrong with the brands, but it's pretty much the same as they stock in all other stores of that nature. though it will be interesting to see it go toe to toe with filene's basement.
Nordstrom Rack is hit and miss. But when it's a hit, it's a HIT. The one in San Diego was always my go-to in college, but I had to learn patience with checkout lines. I can only imagine that they'll send good stock to NY. I'll be waiting for your first impressions….
I think the Rack is great! Esp for shoes and bags. Usually fairly well-organized and many a cute thing to be found. I do agree that the NYC sample sale situation may not make the deals seem as fabulous. I think the greatest competition for all of the bargain stores are the online sample sales. I am heading to NYC this week and I will still be checking my Gilt Iphone app before I head to any boutique! Love, A
nordstrom's rack has always been a great place to find bargains (as long as you don't mind waiting in the tremendously long lines!). my personal favorite discount retailer is marshall's!
nordstrom's rack has always been a great place to find bargains (as long as you don't mind waiting in the tremendously long lines!). they have a lot of choices for clothes, bags, shoes, etc. my personal favorite discount retailer is marshall's!
http://www.economicalfashionista.blogspot.com
I am so excited about Nordstrom Rack opening just down the street! Nordstroms is my favorite department store, and despite all of the options here I felt a longing for my favorite, I can't wait to head down there this weekend.
P.S yes Daffy's is horribly depressing, but I found a quirky Ben Sherman dress for $20! So if you block out the walls there are some great deals to be had!
http://indramaticfashion.com
Sample sales are probably better in metro areas like NYC, where a Nordstrom Rack isn't the best option. However, I live in Tampa, FL where good sample sales are few and far between. So, I am elated about Nordstrom Rack coming to my town! : )
I live on an island near Seattle…. so I regularly pop over to both the Lynnwood and Downtown Seattle NordRacks (I'm a student so the discounts mean I can afford to buy beautiful luxurious items that would be unattainable at full price)! The DT one is usually quite hectic and over picked….. but the Lynnwood/Alderwood branch… is a SHOPPING MIRACLE….. my favorite (shoe addict here) Kate Spade heels… $99 down from nearly $400. I buy my Joe's Jeans, R&R, & True Religion's there… average $80-$110 instead of $250+ (the fit is better for someone with straight hips). I've also found Max Azria dresses, Frye boots, YSL sunglasses ($75 down from $300), a RAW trench in baby soft silver leather lined in pink silk ($108… original price $896), a Charles Gray trench in midnight blue, a blazer and tunic/dress by Alberto Makali (unusual prints and fabrics), awesome lingerie (how about a bra for $15 down from $72!), HUE & Betsey Johnson tights, and SmartWool socks…. sooooo cosy and great for hiking too! … and lots of other things…
Trivia: the Met Costume Institute folks always check out Century 21. Seriously, you can score big time there (where I got all my Mugler back in the day). Hint: go on Sunday mornings, early. Also, THE best place for men's ties.
Nordstrom posts the days when certain shipments hit the Rack on their website.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/C/6023316/0~2377475~6…
Like any discount store, it's hit and miss. High end designer stuff isn't always there – but if you go when it IS there you can get amazing deals on it. A friend got a ridiculously gorgeous Balenciaga blouse there for under $200. As another person noted- high end hair products, too. I just got Moroccan Oil there for super cheap.
i ♥ Nordstrom Rack. normally we ride up to Chi to go scavenger hunting. you can find great deals! i just bought a pair of skinny Joe's for $79 in Mar. i also got some great tops for $6.00!!! the shoe dept is quite overwhelming…i have tons of patience when it comes to shopping but i sometimes have to throw in the towel when in their shoe dept. at times i dont even venture to it! i'd never make it to any other stores if i stuck around too long. i couldn't find the mate to the cutest shoe one time….omg (tears ;*( ) Luckily we have one opening in St. Louis in the Fall. i'm sure we will still make the trip to Chi…but at least we'll have the option here. Nordstrom itself is great. i'd rather shop at the reg retail store for shoes…to keep my sanity. the sales are pretty good there too.
overall, i think NR will be well rcvd in NY. a deal is a deal. hmmm…i didnt get a chance to go to Century 21 while there but i am mos def going to check it out next time!
http://www.theaccessorydrawer.blogspot.com
*note*
About not finding the mate to the 'cutest shoe ever', sometimes they keep the mate to a shoe in the back (I think it might be a precaution against stealing…but not sure)…. you have to ask at the tiny desk in the shoe area ( or general area)…. it took me a while to figure this out. I know it can be horribly unclear since they have full pairs out as well.
got an incredible pair of viktor&rolf high waisted pants at centruy 21 for $70, down from $1250. so now i started looking at C21 in a different light.
got an incredible pair of viktor&rolf high waisted pants at centruy 21 for $70, down from $1250. so now i started looking at C21 in a different light.
got an incredible pair of viktor&rolf high waisted pants at centruy 21 for $70, down from $1250. so now i started looking at C21 in a different light.
There was an Elie Tahari dress there for $100 once