NEW YORK CITY-Express, the Columbus, OHspecialty apparel and accessories retailer, is nearing a deal for anew retail flagship store at 1552 Broadway in the heart of TimesSquare’s “bow tie,” an unnamed source confirms to GlobeSt.comfollowing a series of media reports. Last year, GlobeSt.comreported that the retailer was considering to take a45,000-square-foot space inside the former ESPN Zone at 4 Times Square owned by the DurstOrganization, but the transaction was neverfinalized.

The chain, which operates more than 600 stores withapproximately 5.2 million gross square feet across the US, Canadaand Puerto Rico, said in its first quarter earnings report that thecompany has made a decision to move to a “more desirable locationin New York,” which will delay the opening of the store until fall2013.

During an earnings call, Michael Weiss, the CEOof Express, said that the company “had identified a location wewere satisfied with,” according to the Wall Street Journal. He commented:“However, a much stronger location became available and we wereeven more excited about it.”