Correction! There are no piles of neatly folded polo shirts at Lake Forest's new J. Crew store (as previously reported here). However, there are piles of neatly folded cashmere turtlenecks, merino wool sweaters and brightly colored corduroy pants, all for under $100 a pop.
And then there is the collection line, with party dresses, Victorian blouses and stylishly cut jackets ranging from $100 to $250 and beyond. The Market Square store is one of only three J. Crew boutiques–the others are in Aspen, Colo., and on Madison Avenue in New York City. Liz Kolosa, Lake Forest store director, said that of J. Crew's 221 stores, hers is the company's No. 12 priority. The boutiques are smaller than J. Crew's regular stores–about 3,000 square feet vs. 4,000–and include mainstays such as jeans and cotton shirts along with collection pieces that are not available elsewhere. The Market Square store has a kids' section in the basement with a similar dressy-and-casual lineup of clothes. And it has 10 personal shoppers, most of whom are local moms.
As for polo shirts? Ms. Kolosa said she does not know if they will be offered in the spring.
