Modell's Eyes Downtown Crossing

BOSTON-Modell's Sporting Goods is eyeing Downtown Crossing as the site of its first Boston store as the company makes a major expansion push in the New England market. Doug Epstein, Modell's vice president of real estate and general counsel, tells GlobeSt.com that the New York City-based sporting goods firm has been interested in establishing a presence in Downtown Crossing for years and will likely establish a presence here if it can find 15,000 sf to 20,000 sf of retail space.

Among the sites available that can accommodate Modell's requirements is the Washington Street building presently occupied by Filenes, which is scheduled to be closed by its new owners, Federated Department Stores. Epstein says the company, which has a relationship with the building's buyer, Vornado Realty Trust, has not yet had discussions with the REIT regarding space there.

"It's not just Filenes that interests us," says Epstein. "It's the Downtown Crossing area that interests us. Boston is a market we believe in. Should we be able to find space that works from a location and space standpoint, we will definitely open a store in Downtown Boston."

Modell's currently operates more than 125 stores along the East Coast under the names Modell's Sporting Goods, Henry Modell & Co. and other banners. The firm has four stores in Brockton, Beverly, Newton and Medford but plans to launch three more in the Bay State this summer in communities west and north of Boston.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino has been courting a number of retailers for Downtown Crossing and other locations throughout the city. At the ICSC retail conference in Las Vegas last week, he met with officials from Tommy Bahama and with Lowe's Home Improvement about opening a store on American Legion Highway in Roslindale, according to a city spokesman. Menino also spoke with several supermarket chains, including Wegmans, Whole Foods and Fresh Market about opening stores in the city.