ASICS America Takes First CA Site

NEWPORT BEACH, CA-ASICS America has signed a lease at Fashion Island here for its first California store. This will be the second standalone US location for the Japan-based retailer.

The location at 929 Newport Coast Dr., which will open this month, is owned by the Irvine Co. The 2,228-square-foot store will be located next to 7 For All Mankind near Iris Fountain.

The international athletic footwear and equipment brand currently has only one standalone store in the US, in Manhattan. The Windsor Financial Group is the sole independent license holder of the ASICS brand name for US retail stores.

According to Robert Cohen, president of RFK's Southern California office, who along with senior director Robert Ury arranged the lease on behalf of the Irvine Co., “ASICS' expansion to Newport Beach is a great move. Fashion Island is one of the crown jewels of Orange County's retail offerings, and the current mix of upscale athletic apparel stores and high-end food establishments in the shopping center complement ASICS perfect. Fitness and healthy living are a priority to the customers, and ASICS is a great addition for shoppers who are keenly interested in training hard and looking good at the same time.”

Other athletic-oriented tenants at Fashion Island include lululemon athletica, Nike Running and Athleta, in addition to health-conscious brands such as True Food Kitchen and Whole Foods Market. Fig & Olive, the coastal Mediterranean-inspired restaurant franchise based out of New York that recently opened in Los Angeles, is slated to open later this year.

“Fashion Island and Newport Beach cater to a sophisticated, worldly customer base that also happens to live a stone's throw from the Pacific Ocean,” says Cohen. “Running, biking and yoga are year-round activities here, and the retail stores recognize that. There is simply no better place for ASICS to expand.”

As GlobeSt.com previously reported, in April 2012 ASICS (UK) Ltd. and Korine Property Partners exchanged agreements to open a 7,000-square-foot flagship store on Oxford St. in London. The company will be the anchor tenant in the three-level store at 527-533 Oxford St. situated between Marble Arch and South Audley Street near Primark.