WPCNR TALK OF CITY CENTER. By John F. Bailey. April 28, 2004: Filene's Basement opened for business today on the third floor of City Center, showcasing a spectacular selection of designer names from Anne Klein to DKNY to Ellen Tracy and more  for the ladies, and in one fell swoop, appear to have captured the men's clothing market in White Plains with 40% of their 70,000 square foot store devoted to men's clothing featuring chic shirts and $1,500 suits discounted to under $1,000, with names like Hickey Freeman, Valentino, Armani at prices that will immediately upgrade the wardrobes of alpha males in White Plains.

Heywood Wilansky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Filene's Basement, told WPCNR he expects the White Plains City Center  2nd Floor location to do $25 Million to $30 Million a year in sales, giving it 2 to 3 years to become a destination store. "It's expected to be our biggest grossing store," he said.

LOU KNOWS CLOTHES: Super Developer and Super Dresser Louis Cappelli who wears the sharpest creases in town and is easily the best dressed developer, was shocked at the discounts on the Valentino suit he is showing Common Councilman Benjamin Boykin. Mr. Boykin said he would be back to make some purchases and was awed by the shirt, tie and suit selection. The Valentino $1,500 suit was marked down to $999, and a $1,200 suit marked down to $699. There was also an astounding selection of men's shirts ties and casual wear. No longer does a White Plains man have to leave the city to shop for good quality designer suits, jackets and ties and designer sportswear. In WPCNR's opinion it revives the selection of the old Wallach's with lots of wide aisles and considerably more selection. A store spokesman said the 70 full-time and 90 part-time employees are available for fitting, and will recommend tailors in the immediate vicinity for alterations. Mr. Cappelli said he was going to do all his shopping at Filene's Basement from now on. Photo by WPCNR News.

A Great Reputation: County Executive Andy Spano welcomed Filene's Basement to White Plains, saying they have "a great reputation and we're happy to have them in White Plains." Calling it a destination store in Westchester County, Executive Spano said that the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency partnered with  Mayor Joseph Delfino who  "is our partner, who has the vision for White Plains future." Spano noted that the Mayor was vacationing in Romania (at his own expense, according to City Hall), and could not be at the opening. Photo by WPCNR News.

THE SUPER DEVELOPER DELIVERS: Louis Cappelli, builder of the City Center, said that when he began the City Center 14 months ago, his Center would not be complete without the right tenant mix, and that Filene's Basement was "the perfect fit" to provide the upscale clothing retail source that would cater to the residents of the City Center, the city and draw consumers from all over, who demand "fashion flare."  Cappelli noted that within a month Barnes & Noble would be opening on Main Street at the City Center, to be followed by MrZanaro's, Atlanta Bread Factory, and Fleet Bank. City Hall also announced today that Coldstone Creamery would be taking the space next to Applebee's on the City Center's Mamaroneck Avenue side..   Photo by WPCNR News

Cutting the Ribbon: Heywood Wilansky, President & CEO of Filene's Basement (thrid from right), and Mike Brown (White Plains Store Manager) cut the ribbon, and invite the guests to "Shop Away." Mr. Wilansky told WPCNER that Filene's featured "Designer Clothes at Discount Prices," and that they were able to get first-line designer clothes because Filene's buyers purchase direct from manufacturers. "We're able to get these buys by agreeing not to feature the names of the designers in our advertising," Wilansky said. Photo by WPCNR News.

THE FILENE'S COMPLEX. 2nd Floor City Center Photo by WPCNR News

LABELS YOU LOVE. Clothing is offered not by style but by labels. If you like Ellen Tracy or DKNY, you can go direct to those sections. The store is huge, and also offers a shoe section and a homewares section. Photo by WPCNR News.