Freeport, ME, June 6, 2017
Great Adventures Are in Store for Boston: L.L.Bean to Open Fifth Retail Store in Massachusetts at Boston Seaport, Spring of 2018
Freeport, Maine, outdoor retailer’s fifth store in Massachusetts is part of its ongoing national retail expansion strategy
Freeport, ME, May 10, 2017 – Internationally recognized outdoor retailer L.L.Bean, best known for its L.L.Bean Boots and legendary customer service, continues its national retail expansion with the announcement of a new retail store in Boston, Massachusetts, scheduled to open the spring of 2018. As L.L.Bean’s first true downtown location, the store will be located in Boston Seaport, a vibrant waterfront neighborhood with a carefully selected mix of residential, hotel, office, retail, entertainment, civic and cultural uses and public open space. The 8,600-square-foot store will feature an assortment of active and casual apparel, outerwear and footwear, as well as a variety of outdoor lifestyle gear curated specifically for the residents and visitors of Boston. The store will employ approximately 50 people and will exist as a community outdoor resource for high-quality gear and apparel, as well as technical expertise and know-how. When it opens, it will be L.L.Bean’s thirty-seventh retail store outside of Maine and its fifth store in Massachusetts. L.L.Bean currently operates stores in Burlington, Dedham and Mansfield, as well as a kiosk in the Prudential Center. L.L.Bean will also be opening a store in Mashpee the fall of 2017.
“As a company steeped in a rich New England history and heritage, Boston is like a home away from home for us. Amongst the bustling progress of the Seaport area, we know this is going to be a great location,” said Ken Kacere, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Retail at L.L.Bean. “The evolution that’s taking place within the Seaport neighborhood is pretty exciting and we’re glad to be a part of it with this very special L.L.Bean store.”
As part of its overall national retail growth plan, L.L.Bean made the decision to expand its presence into downtown Boston because of the high degree of awareness and affinity Boston residents have for L.L.Bean, in addition to the opportunities this dynamic, emerging neighborhood presents. As another facet of its connection to Boston, L.L.Bean has had a strong relationship with the Boston Red Sox, being a sponsor of the infield rain delay tarp since 2010 and partnering with them on a variety of other unique endeavors. The new Seaport store will allow the people of greater Boston and beyond to experience first-hand everything the legendary outdoor retailer offers: quality merchandise, exemplary customer service, a welcoming shopping environment and an ethos to always do what’s right by its customers, employees, the environment and the community.
“From kayaking down the Charles River to hiking through Franklin Park, Boston is a city geared towards those who love the outdoors,” said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “I’m pleased to welcome L.L.Bean to the Boston Seaport, and look forward to their Discovery Schools adding another resource for residents in Boston.”
“We are excited that L.L.Bean is joining our roster of great tenants in Seaport,” said Todd Norley, Senior Director of Leasing, WS Development. “They have an incredibly dedicated following in New England and in Greater Boston. This will be their first store in a true downtown location, creating a citywide and regional draw. They certainly add to the convergence of energy that is happening in the district.”
Of particular note will be the inclusion of L.L.Bean’s Outdoor Discovery Schools, which will offer demonstrations, clinics and introductory hands-on courses for a variety of outdoor activities, all designed to make it easy for people to engage in outdoor recreation for health, fitness and recreation. L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools courses are offered at every L.L.Bean Retail Store. In 2016, over 150,000 people participated in these programs.
About L.L.Bean, Inc.
L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. Still family owned, Shawn Gorman, great grandson of Leon Leonwood Bean, was named Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2013. While its business has grown over the years, L.L.Bean continues to uphold the values of its founder, including his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. In the past five years, L.L.Bean has donated over $6 million toward conservation and land stewardship. L.L.Bean operates 34 stores in 16 states across the United States, along with 25 stores in Japan. The 220,000-sq. ft. L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide at www.llbean.com, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.
About Boston Seaport
Culture, industry and community converge, making Boston’s Seaport district a dynamic and vibrant area that is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting neighborhoods and destinations in the country. Currently, Boston’s single largest development project, the Seaport district will transform 23 acres of waterfront land with a carefully selected mix of residential, hotel, office, retail, entertainment, civic and cultural uses and public open space. Combining the best of historic and modern-day Boston, Seaport is positioned to become the destination for fashion, culture, arts, dining and entertainment and technology and life sciences, expanding its position as one of the top cities to visit in the world. For more information, visit www.bostonseaport.xyz.
About WS Development
WS Development is a Massachusetts-based property developer dedicated to the creation of places where people want to be. With more than 20 million square feet of existing space and an additional four million under development, it is one of the largest privately owned development firms in the country. In business since 1990, WS is a vertically integrated company that develops, owns, operates and leases over 90 properties, including urban buildings, lifestyle centers, power centers, community centers and mixed-use developments. Its goal is to be a contributing member of each community it serves. WS takes pride in its commitment to its roots, reflected by its properties in and around New England, but also finds great satisfaction in immersing itself in new locales and expanding its national portfolio. For more information, visit www.wsdevelopment.com, call 617.232.8900 or follow WS Development on LinkedIn.