No one has ever confused Atlantic Avenue with Fashion Avenue, but that may soon change.
Barneys, one of the city’s best known high-end clothing retailers, is setting up its first outlet in Brooklyn as it joins a growing number of trendy shops along the formerly sleepy stretch of Cobble Hill.
Barneys Co-op, the sibling of national retailer Barneys New York, is officially opening its doors today.
“I think this is great. My daughter is 20, and she’s coming home from college this weekend because Barneys is opening,” said Linda Berminghman, who lives in Carroll Gardens.
The chic, two-floor fashion retailer is taking its place among popular stores like Jonathan Adler and Urban Outfitters.
“All of Atlantic Avenue used to be Middle Eastern restaurants. There didn’t used to be so many fun, interesting things around,” Berminghman said.
Barneys New York Creative Director Simon Doonan is thrilled with the addition of a Co-op store in Cobble Hill.
“The Co-op has always had a certain edgy sensibility. The fit with Brooklyn is a natural one,” he said.
Popular young designers like Rag & Bone, Carven and Opening Ceremony are stocking the shelves of the Brooklyn flagship.
While the caliber of designers is exactly what Manhattanites would expect, some in Cobble Hill say Barneys isn’t a good match with the neighborhood.
“I can’t afford to even look” at Barneys, said Brooklyn College law student Tony Consiglio, 48.
“Back in the day, Barneys was not so totally corporate. It had more character. It changes the character of the neighborhood,” he said.
Doonan ensured locals they needn’t worry about pretentiousness becoming a part of the Cobble Hill fabric.
“It’s not like we’re opening a Chanel,” he said.