North Water Gallery and Bryn Walker have both left the former Fligor's store building on North Water street, making way for Vineyard Vines and a Nantucket-based boutique.
Two longtime retail tenants have left the former Fligor’s clothing and gift store on North Water street in Edgartown, making way for a pair of clothing shops.
North Water notified customers earlier this year that it was on the move.
North Water notified customers earlier this year that it was on the move.
North Water Gallery and the Bryn Walker have both left the storefronts earlier this spring. The neighboring Vineyard Vines clothing store plans to take over the art gallery space and Erica Wilson, a Nantucket-based boutique, is moving into the former clothing store.
“We were very surprised and saddened that we were unable to come to terms for a lease renewal after a 16-year relationship,” North Water Gallery co-owner Chris Morse told the Gazette earlier this spring.
A sign for the Erica Wilson store was up this week and construction inside the old gallery is ongoing. Edgartown building inspector Reade Milne, who was inspecting the former North Water location Friday, confirmed Vineyard Vines was expanding, saying the company got approvals from the historic district commission and the building department.
Started by brothers Shep and Ian Murray on the Vineyard, Vineyard Vines launched its line of neckties at Fligor’s before going on to be a preppy clothing mainstay.
The company did not respond to requests for comment.
Andy Fligor, who is managing the building for his parents Carol and Dick, declined to comment on the changes.
North Water Gallery at its new Edgartown location.
North Water Gallery at its new Edgartown location.
While the Bryn Walker shop still has its Vineyard Haven location, North Water Gallery has already opened in a new Edgartown showroom at 31 N. Summer St., where the short-lived Mariner Gallery was located last summer.
Mr. Morse said the gallery, managed by his sister Robin Nagle, has a five-year lease with building owner Stephen Berger for the new space.
“It’s about 20 per cent smaller, [but] it has a lot more storage space and the elasticity of space will work out just fine for us,” Mr. Morse said.
“And we have had such an outpouring of our loyal patrons and artists — everyone is rooting for us in our new space,” he said.
Comments
This is so disappointing to
Disappointed - When is enough enough EdgartownThis is so disappointing to me. When is enough money enough money. There is a lot of value in having well-established, locally-owned businesses that are not only paying market rate for a space but are also giving back to the community. The Fligors had two of those businesses in place and chased them out by asking for ridiculously high rents. Shame on them.
I agree, sadly. The gallery
AM 02539I agree, sadly. The gallery clearly wanted to stay…but I suppose the property owner has no duty but to maximize their $. VV is a wonderful MV story, but more diversity on that block was better. Alas.
I could not agree more we are
Bob EdgartownI could not agree more we are losing our diversity of downtown shops. We lost a much needed marine supply store to a real estate office, which was not needed.
You can’t get any more
Ted EdgartownYou can’t get any more Vineyard, than VIneyard Vines.
I love the place. This is Business.
It’s such a pleasure seeing
Whale Fail EdgIt’s such a pleasure seeing downtown Edgartown transform into a suburban mall. What a fantastic vision!
I love Vineyard Vines, they
Thomas EdgartownI love Vineyard Vines, they are local and good neighbors. It’s business, with the price of everything soaring out of control, it’s every person for themselves unfortunately.
Nobody wants to talk about the economy, inflation and the costs of services.
Thankfully I am 83 years old.
Yes sir. The only ones who
Roddy Seasonal VisitorYes sir. The only ones who don’t want to talk about those inconvenient truths are the ones who keep voting for it.
Thomas, I agree inflation is
Mary OBThomas, I agree inflation is killing the working class families across this great island and country. Everything has doubled tripled in cost in the last couple years… we make excuses with no real answers
I am 81 and feel for the younger families.
If you do not own, your space
Bob EdgartownIf you do not own, your space, you are at the whim of the landlord, which is why we see turnover happen so often. It is such a short season to earn enough money to pay the landlord, utilities, the help, Insurance, various government demands, taxes and if you’re lucky some leftover for yourself.
Not only is and was the
Brian Vineyard HavenNot only is and was the gallery a local business - it has provided income for many local artists - including this year’s Fair poster creator -
So it goes, stores that
Part-time Islander EdgartownSo it goes, stores that painted a beautiful picture of the real fabric taken over by a company who has a national presence and for all intents and purposes is hardly a Vineyard brand by anything but name. With Faraway's renovation and prices and the Harborside's recalibration a few years ago, it's hard to say Edgartown is really the same any longer. People didn't used to feel they needed to maximize profit on this island at the expense of community. It really doesn't have to be the way it is and one good reason is that it wasn't always this way. Too late for Bryn Walker, I'll miss them.
I just noticed: a Nantucket
Part-Time Islander The IslandI just noticed: a Nantucket shop, too...wow. Do we even exist any longer?
Disappointing!!! Why do we
Christine OBDisappointing!!! Why do we need a bigger Vineyard Vines??? The art gallery was/is a gem and helped to diversify that strip of businesses.
I am confused here? Has
Jack EdgartownI am confused here? Has anyone seen the prices? Not many Islanders can afford a $15k painting, but maybe can afford a $50 tie..
Most islanders I know only
Dana Nunes MVMost islanders I know only wear ties to funerals, and sometimes not even then. None that I know would spend $50. on one.
Unfortunate reality of
Peter The IslandUnfortunate reality of inflation and increasing costs/rents that people are feeling in all downtowns across the world. Good to see the gallery was able to secure a new spot at a price they could make work and in a space they're excited about. We can't knock VV for being successful and being able to expand nationally, their roots are local to the Island and its an awesome Island success story that we should all be proud of and happy about, (especially given all they continue to do for the Island). Its not the first local business to turnover in downtown Edgartown and certainly won't be the last but I love the artwork that I bought from the gallery and will continue to appreciate them on the walls in my house and I am excited to check out their new space as well as all of the new stores and spaces in town this summer.
What’s wrong with Vineyard
Gary EdgartownWhat’s wrong with Vineyard Vines expanding?? I love the store!
Filgors was my go to place
New Englander ProvidencrFilgors was my go to place for every important day. Birthdays, Anniversaries and many other holidays. I neither like, nor can afford, the inventory at Vineyard Vines. So it goes…
Relax people... The Gallery
Ana da Sousa Oak BluffsRelax people... The Gallery is still in town at a different location. All is well!
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