Is It or Isn't It? Talk of J. Crew Williamsburg Is Heating Up

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It's been nearly two years since we first started talking about J. Crew opening up in Williamsburg by the new Whole Foods, and the rumors are still going strong. Crain's New York wrote today that "several knowledgable sources" have confirmed the brand's entry into the neighborhood—specifically, in a single-story, 6,000-square-foot warehouse at 234-236 Wythe Avenue, near North 4th Street.

Since the Whole Foods announcement, talk of other national retailers moving in have persisted. Crain's says that Apple has been looking at a retail space across the street from the supermarket, but has yet to sign. Last we heard, Anthropologie was also looking at that address.

Other brands who have been making noise about the area include Joe Fresh, Citibank, and New York Sports Club. And in the non-retail division, WeWork might be grabbing some huge office space above Whole Foods.

And obviously, we all know that Urban Outfitters has made a funky home for itself in the form of concept shop Space Ninety 8. The Crain's article fuels speculation that J. Crew could attempt a similar tactic in designing a space that "blends" into the neighborhood, but the brand had not returned requests for comments before the article's publication.

Regardless, their entry into the borough is forthcoming: Brooklynites have been making noise about their Cobble Hill location since it was announced last summer. We're expecting mock funerals for the good ol' days at their grand opening.
· Retail Chains Wrap Up Billyburg [Crain's]
· J. Crew Pushes Cobble Hill Retail Rents Into 'Overdrive' [Racked NY]
· Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, and More to Invade W'Burg [Racked NY]