CONNTACT.COM

NEW HAVEN - Lululemon Athletica has leased 1,000 square feet at 204 Crown Street for one of its showrooms. "I've been chasing them for two years," says Wareck Realty's John Wareck, who represented the "yoga-inspired" Canadian sportsware designer and manufacturer, which sells its clothing and accessories in more than 125 company-owned stores and franchise stores in Canada, Hong Kong, Australia and the U.S. The company operates regular retail stores in Westport and Greenwich and recently opened a showroom in West Hartford.

The landlord, Missy LLC, was unrepresented.

"They have a club-like following," Wareck says, adding Lululemon deliberately selected a remote location for its New Haven showroom, which opened May 28, can be found down an alley behind Stella Blue and is filled with apparel and gear such as yoga mats, head bands and water bottles.

"We're off the beaten path," confirms manager Allison Bradley. "Word of mouth and grassroots marketing is what we're all about.

"We're only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and offer free yoga classes on Sundays. That way we can get out into our community, going to yoga classes and fitness clubs, and also helping out at food drives or cleaning the beaches."

Bradley says she and her employees also "do private shop nights [at the showroom] and trunk shows."

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