Real Estate
Brooks Brothers Shutters Lower Manhattan Store After 45 Years
The store became a temporary morgue after 9/11, holding bodies recovered from the wreckage.
FINANCIAL DISTRICT, NY — Brooks Brothers is shuttering its Financial District store after 45 years because of the landlord's plans to renovate the space.
Brooks Brothers, which celebrated its 200th anniversary this April, is closing its One Liberty Plaza location on Thursday, Oct. 11 after the landlord booted the company to overhaul the property. The upscale clothier is in the process of searching for a new home, a spokesman for the country's oldest clothing retailer told Patch.
"The store is closing due to the landlord’s plans for extensive renovations and changes to the building," said Arthur Wayne, Brooks Brothers' vice president of global public relations. "We are currently looking at other locations in the area."
Find out what's happening in Tribeca-FiDifor free with the latest updates from Patch.
(For updates on openings and closings and other local Financial District news, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)
The two-story store is across from the World Trade Center and was littered with debris after the Sept. 11, 2001 collapse of the Twin Towers. Its men's shirt department was temporarily converted into a morgue and housed bodies recovered from the wreckage.
Find out what's happening in Tribeca-FiDifor free with the latest updates from Patch.
It has also gathered plenty of warm memories over the years, such as when Manhattanite Susan Rothman bought her son his first made to measure suit when he began interviewing for colleges.
"It was a memory I'll alway cherish," said Rothman, who works in finance Downtown. "It was one of those tangible moments as a parent when you say, 'My God, he's all grown up.' He still has that suit."
Brooks Brothers was founded in 1818 and has amassed an extensive history over the years, which includes crafting U.S. military uniforms that were worn into battle since 1846, outfitting presidents such as Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy, and has amassed a collection of designs that for generations has set the trend for preppy style. The brand has locations peppered throughout Manhattan.
The owner of One Liberty Plaza, Brookfield Properties, did not return requests for comment on its plans for the former Brooks Brothers store.
Photo courtesy of Caroline Spivack/Patch
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.