Free People to open in downtown Seattle

Free People's boho-chic clothing has long been sold in the Northwest at Nordstrom and smaller specialty stores. Now, the Urban Outfitters-owned brand is introducing stores of its own in the Northwest.

Free People opened a store at Bellevue Square in August and plans a second location next month in downtown Seattle. Opening is set for Nov. 7 at the First and Stewart Building across from Pike Place Market. A third Northwest store opens Nov. 14 in Portland.

Free People's Bellevue Square location has the feel of a woman's loft apartment, where the favorite decade probably is the '70s.

The walls are decorated with brightly colored afghans, and shag rugs cover the dressing-room floors. Top sellers include crochet-knit, thigh-high socks for $24, acrylic-wool berets for $38, and raspberry plaid jumpers for $148.

Sonja Biesold, a 36-year-old mom who lives in Issaquah, said she became familiar with the Free People label at Nordstrom several years ago. She bought a gray cowl-neck dress and pink tunic at Free People in Bellevue this week for about $270.

"Yeah, you like to get a deal," she said, holding a flowery cloth Free People bag with her purchases inside. "But I can wear this so many different ways, and it works for my bracket."

Philadelphia-based Urban Outfitters, which also owns Anthropologie stores, began in 1970 under the Free People name, with a single location selling vintage Levi jeans.

Although the name changed to Urban Outfitters, Free People later returned as a wholesale line catering to young women who like Bohemian styles.

It opened a store in 2002 in Paramus, N.J., and has since expanded to 24 locations in 10 states, including California, Texas and Virginia.

So far, parent Urban Outfitters has been doing well despite a difficult economic environment nationally. For the second quarter that ended July 31, the company reported a 13 percent increase in sales at stores open at least a year and a 79 percent jump in profit.

Behind its Free People expansion is a preference for spreading growth across several divisions, rather than creating a single ubiquitous brand.

As of July 31, the company had 132 Urban Outfitters stores and 115 Anthropologie stores, well ahead of Free People, which expects to have about 30 locations by Jan. 31. (The divisions' differences can be summed up by their target demographics: Urban Outfitters stores aim for men and women aged 18 to 30; Anthropologie stores, women 30 to 45; and Free People, women 25 to 30.)

"We're inspired by creativity, not the masses," said Sheila Harrington, director of merchandising for Free People in Philadelphia. "We don't want to turn around and be like other retailers with a store on every corner."

— Amy Martinez

Tidbits

Dorothy Haggen, who co-founded the Bellingham grocery chain Haggen during the Great Depression, died Sunday at age 99. She launched the chain with her husband, Ben Haggen, and her brother, Doug Clark.

In 1989, the chain became the first U.S. grocery with an in-store Starbucks. It now has 33 locations in Washington and Oregon and operates stores under the names Haggen Food & Pharmacy, Top Food & Drug and Larry's Market. — MA

Shoe Pavilion, a Sherman Oaks, Calif.-based discount retailer, will close its stores at Crossroads in Bellevue and Factory Stores at North Bend, adding to recent closures on Southcenter Parkway in Tukwila and Loehmann's Plaza in Bellevue. Shoe Pavilion filed for bankruptcy protection in July. It also has stores in downtown Seattle and near Northgate Mall, as well as in Auburn, Burlington and Tulalip. — AM

Erin Baker's Wholesome Baked Goods, of Bellingham, will debut its newest product as the "first official granola of Ironman" at the Ford Ironman World Championship in Hawaii this weekend. The Ultra Protein Power Crunch Granola has 8 grams of protein and costs $4.99 for a 12-ounce bag. — MA

Bellevue Square opens a new children's play area today called Kids' Cove. It's on the third floor above Center Court and includes the mall's tug and ferry boats, as well as a skiff, sandcastle and lighthouse. — AM

CraveParty has published the third edition of Crave Seattle, a guide to local women-owned businesses focused on fashion, beauty, interior design and image-consulting businesses.

The book sells for $19.95 and is available online at craveparty.com or Amazon.com. — AM

Pacific Place in downtown Seattle has promoted Lynn Beck to general manager, replacing Dennis Zook, who left in September.

Beck had been marketing manager at Pacific Place since its 1998 opening. — AM

Bellevue-based Eddie Bauer has hired Jean Park as divisional vice president for men's merchandising. Park held various positions at Levi Strauss & Co, most recently as director of men's and boy's merchandising for the Signature by Levi Strauss & Co. brand.

Also, Eddie Bauer has hired Scott Hutsenpiller as vice president of outerwear design. Most recently, Hutsenpiller was responsible for designing two alpine ski collections for Spyder Active Sports. — AM

Drugstore.com said Chief Executive Dawn Lepore will see her base salary increase from $450,000 to $500,000 on Jan. 1. Lepore also received 1.3 million shares of restricted stock, which will vest in eight installments over four years. — AM

Retail Report appears Fridays.

Melissa Allison covers the food and beverage industry. She can be reached at 206-464-3312 or mallison@seattletimes.com.

Amy Martinez covers goods, services and online retail. She can be reached at 206-464-2923 or amartinez@seattletimes.com