[Daveyboy]

Not sure if this has been noted on the site, but J. Press in Cambridge is closing August 29. I bought my first tweed jacket there in 1977. They are apparently looking for a new space in Boston but that never seems to work out well.
Sic transit gloria.

 

[Fading Fast]

It was a gem - having lived in Boston for eight years in the late '90s / early '00s, I frequented it and it still had a classic Ivy clothing store look and feel. You felt like you were stepping back in time when you walked in.

As seen in NYC, even if Press of Boston eventually reopens, it won't be the same. I respect the new NYC J.Press as it's better than if it hadn't reopened - and there are some wonderful clothes there - but, as a store, it is, at best, a shadow of its former Ivy-heaven self.

It's not Press' fault; times change and I applaud them for at least trying as the market just won't support what the store once was.

 

[Brooksfan]

Agree-whatever takes its place won't be like the store that closes Aug 29. Has anyone checked in with a comparison of the present New Haven store against the one that was at 262 York Street?

 

[89826]

Ahhhh, J. Squeeze. Too bad-- great location. My mother bought clothes for my dad there when they were both at Harvard in the 50's. I shopped there myself when I lived in Cambridge in the 90's. Is Dennis Black still the manager? I haven't talked to him or ordered anything for a few years.

I think O'Connell's is really the store that carries on.

 

[Charles Dana]

In 1928 and 1929, the style of jacket we now call a "3-roll-2" was known as a "New Haven jacket" regardless of who was selling it. That's how closely identified to the Ivy style J. Press was. The moniker didn't stick. A shame. I like the term "New Haven jacket." It has a more clubby, cozy feel than "3-roll-2."

One of these days I'm going to call J. Press and say I'm interested in a "New Haven jacket." I wonder if anyone there will know what I'm talking about.

 

[Fading Fast]

In 1928 and 1929, the style of jacket we now call a "3-roll-2" was known as a "New Haven jacket" regardless of who was selling it. That's how closely identified to the Ivy style J. Press was. The moniker didn't stick. A shame. I like the term "New Haven jacket." It has a more clubby, cozy feel than "3-roll-2."

One of these days I'm going to call J. Press and say I'm interested in a "New Haven jacket." I wonder if anyone there will know what I'm talking about.

Call soon or there might not be anyone around to pick up.

 

[Charles Dana]

Call soon or there might not be anyone around to pick up.

Either that, or my call will be picked up by somebody in Japan.

 

[gamma68]

After 86 years in the same location, you'd think J Press would've bought the building by now.

 

[Fading Fast]

After 86 years in the same location, you'd think J Press would've bought the building by now.

To your point, if a small, old-line, family run business is still going in NYC - a clock repair shop, a bakery, a clothing store a butcher, an appliance repair shop, etc - 29 out of 30 times you'll find they own the building. Those that don't - at least in NYC - almost always get forced out of business owing to rent increases.

 

[gamma68]

To your point, if a small, old-line, family run business is still going in NYC - a clock repair shop, a bakery, a clothing store a butcher, an appliance repair shop, etc - 29 out of 30 times you'll find they own the building. Those that don't - at least in NYC - almost always get forced out of business owing to rent increases.

Yep, and it sounds like this might have been the case with J Press Cambridge.