BIZNOTE: More clothes at Westwood Village? J.Crew Factory penciled in

Just weeks after two neighboring businesses closed on the south side of Westwood VillageGameStop and Desert Sun Tanning – a replacement is penciled in for what would be their combined spaces: J.Crew Factory, the brand’s “outlet” arm. We noticed a few weeks ago that a placeholder with no supporting documentation had appeared in permit files; then at the end of this week, a full early-stage filing with confirmatory labeling:

The combined space would be 4,600+ square feet, tiny compared to WWV’s Ross (26,000+) and Marshalls (30,000+) stores. J.Crew’s website shows three Factory stores in the metro area – Auburn, Lynnwood, and Marysville – and two “regular” stores in the area – University Village and Bellevue Square. We’ll contact the chain and WWV management tomorrow to see if they’ll comment; to date, the center’s managers have yet to say anything about the two not-yet-open chain businesses that have continued moving through the permit system for months, Total Wine & More (ex-Staples) and Panda Express (ex-Pet Pros).

38 Replies to "BIZNOTE: More clothes at Westwood Village? J.Crew Factory penciled in"

  • Jsbm January 12, 2025 (7:28 pm)

    Yeeeeesssss!

  • Christopher B. January 12, 2025 (7:43 pm)

    That’s a pretty impressive “get” for Westwood Village. Seems like that could be a real draw.

    • walkerws January 13, 2025 (9:13 am)

      How is it an impressive “get”? J. Crew Factory is J. Crew’s fast fashion, cheapo counterpart. It’s no exactly impressive or well regarded.

      • raywest January 14, 2025 (8:00 am)

        WALKERWS – Totally agree with your assessment about J. Crew Factory. All these “Outlet” stores are a bit of a sham in that they sell lower-quality clothing that they do not actually manufacture themselves, using their big brand name, thinking people do not know the difference. I have no objection to J. Crew Factory moving into Westwood, and am always glad to see empty stores being occupied, but people should be aware that this is just another discount clothing store, on par with Ross, Marshall’s, etc.

        • ACG January 14, 2025 (9:04 pm)

          While it may not be the true J Crew line of clothing it will absolutely be better than what is in Ross. I’ve enjoyed looking through the J Crew Outlet at the Tulalip Outlet Mall for both adults and kids clothes.  I’m happy that the storefront will be filled and will give shoppers a different option for clothes. 

  • k January 12, 2025 (7:55 pm)

    Panda Express is a long way from opening.  Walking by the open doors a few weeks ago, the construction crew were still excavating for ground work plumbing.  

  • Laura January 12, 2025 (8:07 pm)

    Wow. This would be fantastic. 

  • Car- January 12, 2025 (8:27 pm)

    Any word on the opening of Total Wine?

  • Alki resident January 12, 2025 (8:41 pm)

    Panda Express is awful. Bring back Sea Galley. 

    • John Edwards January 12, 2025 (10:24 pm)

      I agree.  Panda Express is gross.  Some strange overly sweet Americanized Chinese food.

      • Alki resident January 13, 2025 (12:07 pm)

        Yes exactly. What I’d do to get Vatsanas back , I miss them so much. 

    • Resident January 12, 2025 (11:59 pm)

      Arrrrr, ya makin’ the panda walk the plank before it’s on board? 

      • Alki resident January 13, 2025 (12:51 am)

        PE is everywhere. It’s not something I would’ve expected to see at Westwood. It’s not a new business, people know what it is hence my comment. 

      • Josh January 13, 2025 (6:58 am)

        I see what you did there. Cheers. 

    • B January 14, 2025 (3:23 pm)

      Was Sea Galley over in the corner where Rite Aid is now? I swear I remember going there as a kid (early early-mid 80’s) but could never remember the name. That place was a blast, for little kids wanting to run around what felt like a huge ship anyways lol.

  • C January 13, 2025 (7:40 am)

    I am thrilled about J Crew Factory!  Finally, a place that I would want to shop. 

    • East Coast Cynic January 13, 2025 (10:59 am)

      Me too. I’ve brought a few shirts from their online site.  Great for it to be a short distance away soon.

  • Jennifer January 13, 2025 (8:43 am)

    We need Restaurants not more clothes.

    • Tracey January 13, 2025 (10:21 am)

      While restaurants with ample parking are nice discretionary additions to the village, I would prefer more essentials and services.  Staples provided copying, faxing, passport photos, etc.  Lauren’s provided the simple watch battery.  We all need clothes and one less trip to southcenter is a nice addition for me.   BTW, where do I go in West Seattle to get my watch battery replaced now?  

      • Mm January 14, 2025 (7:59 am)

        Menashe’s replaced my watch battery a couple weeks ago.

  • walkerws January 13, 2025 (8:57 am)

    More fast fashion. Gross.

    • WS Res January 13, 2025 (9:25 am)

      J Crew isn’t my thing (they don’t carry my size) but they’re not “fast fashion.”

      • walkerws January 13, 2025 (10:04 am)

        J. Crew is not fast fashion. J. Crew Factory is fast fashion. It’s the fast fashion arm of J. Crew.

        • Jsbm January 13, 2025 (3:56 pm)

          I’ve bought 2 worsted wool suits and some merino sweaters from Jcrew factory that have lasted over 6 years now. Perhaps you’ve had a different experience, but from the quality associated with the clothing I’ve purchased, the label fast fashion seems inaccurate. 

        • KM January 13, 2025 (5:34 pm)

          My J. Crew factory clothes have held up for years. Definitely not fast fashion, and definitely not lower durability than my regular J. Crew clothes. Now, do J. Crew brands make more fashion than staples as an overall brand than it used to? Unfortunately, yes. 

      • Jenben January 13, 2025 (6:25 pm)

        Actually it is. It’s produced en mass by child and cheap labor with terrible environmental and labor record ;

        • Jsbm January 13, 2025 (11:58 pm)

          @Jenben, I wasn’t aware of their labor practices and lack of environmental stewardship. Thank you for pointing this out. 

          • aa January 14, 2025 (4:02 pm)

            Please don’t take what someone says as fact. Maybe Jenben is correct, maybe she isn’t, we need to do our own research before passing judgement.

        • wsresident January 15, 2025 (9:51 am)

          https://factory.jcrew.com/s/CSR-california-transparency-act#Can you site your sources, what I’m reading says something MUCH different. 

    • junctioneer January 13, 2025 (10:59 am)

      No. J Crew outlet clothes last longer than lots of “higher” fashion brands. My cheapo J Crew outlet jeans last years worn regularly. Like or dislike it, but it’s one of the few cheap new clothes options that is not fast fashion.

  • Jay January 13, 2025 (9:19 am)

    It’d be nice if this area was developed for growth by a motivated owner rather than just one of a million strip mall assets owned by Blackrock. The area is sketchy as hell, and that won’t change in an urban strip mall. It needs to be shifted more towards mixed use development. Convert it to 4/1 at a minimum, with apartments and condos above retail. Create demand for walkable late-night amenities. Get 24 hour a day foot traffic.

  • Mel January 13, 2025 (11:27 am)

    Wow this is awesome! I agree it feels like a real “get” for Westwood. Can’t wait to visit. 

  • DRW January 13, 2025 (11:52 am)

    Anything opening in Westwood Village is welcomed news!

  • Wsresident January 13, 2025 (1:07 pm)

    Fun fact, you can buy pallets of J Crew on liquidation sites for $50 all new. 

    • Lisab January 13, 2025 (2:48 pm)

      Wow! Thanks!

  • Leesa January 15, 2025 (11:26 am)

    YESSSS!!! I’m so excited for this!!!!

  • AN January 16, 2025 (5:17 pm)

    Someone is saying that there’s a different tanning salon going in to where son desert was. Can anyone collaborate that.

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