The Union Square location of INA NYC has closed, a for-rent sign hangs in the front window here on 13th Street between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.
The designer consignment store, dating to 1993, has several NYC locations. For now, just the outpost on Prince Street is open. INA expanded to 13th Street in 2014.
Thanks to EVG reader Doug for the photo!
I work in entertainment wardrobe as a stylist. I must say I rarely found anything here I wished to buy for myself or for clients and producers. The merchandise was worn/used and overpriced. And I had difficulty accessing staff when I had questions about certain items I was thinking about. Consignment stores are often more expensive than department and boutique stores, which I always found strange. I think if businesses such as this wish to prosper, better price points and customer service have to be offered. However, I am not surprised of this closure given the enormity of COVID and the lack of funds from most people; shopping just isn't high on the list right now. I am sorry this staff are out of work. I wonder really how any retail merchants can subsist without federal assistance or governmental stimulus. Unfortunately, we are going to see a deluge of more businesses to fold. Having been employed in this industry for fifteen years, this is just the beginning when several outlets have filed for bankruptcy.
ReplyDeleteThis seemed so completely out-of-place in the East Village, that I'm not surprised it closed. I was actually surprised how long it stayed in business; I have no idea who around here would buy that type of clothing or those accessories. You have to be the perfect size (whatever the perfect size is for chi-chi clothing).
ReplyDeleteAgree. Overpriced and unimaginative. More about labels than true style.
ReplyDeleteI always thought it was in a weird location, personally.
ReplyDeleteI bought a few nice things here, but it definitely took effort to find items that were affordable, and to get customer service. I love and need secondhand clothing; I hope after the covid retail apocalypse we are left with at least some of our great neighborhood array of secondhand stores.
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