Mexx Closing in the U.S.

I've written about Mexx on these e-pages before, questioning if this apparel retailer could sustain itself in NYC. Well, we now have our answer: No. As a Mexx credit card holder, I received a letter this week explaining the following:

"We want to let you know that all four Mexx retail stores in the U.S. will be closing:

• Georgetown, DC - Closes June 24
• Soho, NY - Closes June 24
• Tysons Corner Center, VA - Closes July 31
• Fifth Avenue, NY - Closes early-September

This is simply a business decision we have made to focus corporate resources on other proven brands within our Liz Claiborne Inc. portfolio. It does not, however, change our global commitment to Mexx, which is a leading global lifestyle brand."

Yada yada yada. So, I'm thinking there will probably be some significant sales at the Mexx on Fifth Avenue between now and Labor Day. Might I suggest you take advantage?

Sexxy Mexx-y

Mexx is Club Monaco's unkempt (German) cousin. I like Mexx well enough, and you can get good deals by signing up for the store credit card (be careful with store credit cards though, read my post from October!). Additionally, they offer many sale items upstairs in their midtown-Fifth Ave. location. But I find it odd that they are located along the same strip as St. John, Versace and Gucci. I was going to suggest that they relocate downtown on Broadway because I feel like their demographic is more trendy college/post-college, but then I checked and they DO have a location downtown on Broadway (between Spring and Broome). So while I'm late to the party, my savvy strategic shopping mind is on point.

My other issue is that some of their clothes are generally disposable, meaning that I feel they are too trendy and I don't find that they are very well-made. The colors fade, garments tend to lose their shape, materials lack "staying power." However, to be fair and balanced, I do own several Mexx pieces and have also purchased very well-priced Mexx items at Loehmann's - a black dress, pants and skirt - and they have served me pretty well.

I guess my feelings about Mexx are as schizophrenic as I feel their clothes are. It must be some kind of German plot to confuse us.