President Obama Will Not Be Attending Rothmans' Opening Party

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Rothmans carries of-the-moment menswear from labels like Hugo Boss, Ted Baker, and Ben Sherman, but it's got a long history—it launched in 1926 as a Lower East Side pushcart. Next week, the store will trade in the Union Square location that it's called home for the last 25 years for a bigger, fancier new spot one block north.

Architecture firm Lalire March, which has worked on J.Crew and Barneys, helped update the 110-year-old space, which takes up two levels, with one area downstairs dedicated entirely to formalwear. The owners also plan to expand their shoe selection, but they won't minimize their historic emphasis on tailoring. Ken Gidden, co-owner and grandson of the founder, told WWD on Wednesday, "We’re going to have half a city block of tailored clothing." They're also installing a "permanent pop-up shop" that will launch with Mr. Brown by Duckie Brown, a capsule collection by the menswear line.

Right now, workers are putting the finishing touches on the space in advance of next week's scheduled opening. The launch party, however, will be a bit late. It was intended for March 1st, but that was before organizers found out President Obama will be holding a fundraiser next door at ABC Carpet & Home that same evening. Wisely, they decided to push it back a day. They also asked the President if he'd like to stick around to attend the event, but sadly, it looks like he declined.
· Rothmans Relocating After 25 Years [WWD; subscription req'd]
· Rothman's Is Trading In Its Union Square Store After 25 Years [Racked NY]