October 22, 2007

American Place

I can't imagine buying anything in "American Place". This picture is typical of what its wares look like-huge piles of low-quality clothing, heaped up on tables.

I wouldn't take this stuff if you offered it to me for nothing.

Hopefully, American Place will be out of business before too long.

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

My neighbors and I on Senator Street are already sick of the traffic problems and crowds brought about by the s***hole store. We called 311 and had the Sanitation Dept ticket them, and get rid of the tables that lined the curbside. THEY HAPPILY TAKE THE $100 TICKETS!!!!!!! It's cheap "rent" for outside space ... if they even bother to pay them at all!!! I thought there were laws about signage, ie size, etc. Sanitation said people should call FDNY to send inspectors as the whole upstairs floor is a fire trap, and to make sure they don't block fire exits. FDNY tix are higher, and they could order the place closed.

The Phantom said...

I went up to the second floor yesterday. Not sure it is a fire trap, but it may be close. I'd like to know if there are sprinklers in there--will take a look.

Hopefully, this too will pass. The store is a disgrace.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad people are taking a stand and acting on this disgraceful neighborhood eyesore.
These days unfortunately not enough people speak up. Let's just hope that this action will cause something positive to happen, like closing that poor excuse for a store, and maybe like reopening a nice supermarket for us Ridgites, something we could use more of in our nabe!

Anonymous said...

The zoning for that location does NOT permit second floor retail selling space. The c of o lists the second floor as "offices."

I urge people to call 311, Vinnie and the community board and complain.

I have done so.

Anonymous said...

wow ...is this true?? I will definitely call 311. Thanks, Linda

Gotham City Insider said...

Wow you guys are really hatin' on American Place. Are you upset about the typical...clientele perhaps? The place DOES look like a bomb went off inside; just piles and piles of clothes but it isn't really low quality stuff its more like irregular and slightly damaged stuff. Gucci wallet with a small tear on the inside $4, Guess dress that needs a strap sewn $10, and so on. I agree a supermarket or a drug store would certainly better serve the community - especially a supermarket since there aren't any down that end - but its really nobodys fault what moves in there, is it? We didn't take a vote or anything. Its not like American Place bought out Duane Reade... Just be patient. I can almost guarantee you American Place will be gone after the holidays.

Anonymous said...

To the phantom
American place ia a great place to shop> They have great deals for rock bottom prices. I will always shop there and by the way shame on you. you are a very bitter person. If you don't like it move out of the area

Anonymous said...

I just sense some not-so-hidden xenophobia here and its quite ugly. The "store" isn't the problem. Sounds to me like the "people" that shop there, the "clientele" if you will, is "the problem". You're hunting for a proper sprinkler system because you just want it to get shut down because its an eye sore to you; you're not looking for the sprinklers because you care for the safety of the people who shop or work there.

I used to live "across the border" of Bay Ridge on 62nd Street. One time I heard a 68 pct. cop say something I'll never forget.

A guy was begging for change near the exit where the Belt becomes the BQE off 2nd Avenue. The cop told the guy "Take it past 65 street, pal".

Meaning, go ahead, keep panhandling but not within Bay Ridge limits.

"American Place" is RIGHT on that border; barely in Bay Ridge; its got one toe in the water.

And if u wanna get REAL xenophobic, lets talk about 5th Avenue in the 70's. It feels like Bahrain over there; the dirty streets of f*cking Cairo; the filthy Third World dirt roads of Muscat. It's disgusting.

Go look for working sprinkler systems down there.

Anonymous said...

For those people who don't like the store, I can tell you they will be there for a long time and they just opened another one in Brooklyn yesterday, bring the total in Brookly to 5 or 6. Great business and great quality name brand. I bought burberry, ferragamo, ellen tracy, locoste, you name it, at a deep discount. If you don't want to shop there, stay home, don't bother them.

Pedro said...

Good old fashion racism aside, it's a pretty awful store and the clothes look like they came out of the 1990's. I been there twice and the only thing I could find myself buying where some underwear and a-shirts. The price was great an all but the rest of the clothes were bad quality, shitty versions of brands that were popular when I was a kid, or just fucking dirty. It's a shame that we can't get something more useful for the neighborhood on the block.

Anonymous said...

THE STORE IS GREAT. I have shopped here for 5 years and their sevice is truly outstanding. I would like to credit the managers for their fantastic work. Thank you for bringing rockbottom prices to our neighborhood!!

The Phantom said...

The store is a toilet. I'd rather wear items discarded in the trash can than anything I see there.

I think that some of the pro-American Place comments must have been posted by store employees.

The store appears noticeably less crowded in the past weeks--I can see them getting few repeat customers.

Anonymous said...

AMERICAN PLACE IS NOT A BULLSHIT STORE.IT HAS GOOD CLOTHES EVEN THOUGH SOME IS DAMAGED.YA'LL DONT HAVE N O CLUE WAT THEY HAVE YA'LL JUST SEE DA OUTSIDE.YUP ITZ A MESS BUT THEY ROCK N REPUBLICS IS LOOKIN REAL SWEAT ON PPL ASS

Unknown said...

I can only say this about American Place---It's a love-hate relationship! I have found some of the most beautiful things. Even Better Than Marshalls! I think they are great when there is higher quality clothing at affordable prices. They're times when there are only remainders of who knows what. Again some people with a flair for fashion will have you wondering "where did they get that outfit from?" and you might be a bit suprised that it comes from that "pile."

You guys think American Place is so bad, right? Take a look at Century 21 Department Store. Crap with European labels that are also remainders and the ugliest ones linger and linger until they do what with them?

American Place's remainders no good. Century 21's remainders oh so good. Yeah,for cleaning rags.

I think when you shop at a place like American Place, you have to keep an open mind and have a good imagination because nothing looks spectacular all tangled up.

Take a magazine like In Style and tear out something that strikes your fancy and challange your self to find something in the spirit of that outfit.

Anonymous said...

Hey shoppers,

Could you please post the address of the Bayridge American Place store.

I also heard that there is a store near Costco in Brooklyn. I am trying to look it up but no luck yet.
Thanks

Anonymous said...

I was surfing for American Place, because they have opened one in Kensington, where I live. You guys, for the most part, make it sound awful. I am a big fan of Century 21, because if you hit it right, you strike gold. Just because one pays less money doesn't mean the stuff is cheaply made! I still wear and get compliments on things I got at C21 10 years ago. I hope AP is not a big mess over here (the old Pergament/Bergament space). I'm going to give them a try, since your reviews were mixed.

The Phantom said...

anonymous

You can't compare this place with Century 21. The clothing at Century 21 runs the gamut. There's some cheap junk, there is some that is middle of the road, and there is a lot of clothing--in both the Bay Ridge and lower Manhattan branches that is top of the line, things that Brooks Brothers would be happy to sell.

There's something for everybody, and its all well-priced. Both stores, esp the Manhattan one, attract significant numbers of European tourists because of their values. I was once in Dublin --I swear to God--and I heard Century 21 mentioned on a talk radio show.

American Place is not like that--not in the five or so times I have visited the Bay Ridge store. I saw a few items that were middle of the road --some mens jackets that were clearly seconds from Macy's --but the majority of it was poorly made, ugly footwear and other apparel, some of which was dirty ( a point made by pedro on this thread, all in a disheveled environment, on floors which themselves were dirty.

MAYBE I just caught them on five bad nights but I don't think so.

Century's is a clean store that mostly sells good products at low prices. An American Place is a nasty store that mostly sells trash that you would not take if they offered them to you for free.

Anonymous said...

Used to shop at Bloomies, Macy's, Nordstrom, etc...Yay!!now I have discovered AM Place...Sorry to disappoint the "AM Place Haters" ... it has the same great designer stuff - but at amazing prices...yes, its messy & you gotta search! but its worth it!!!

The Phantom said...

--Used to shop at Bloomies, Macy's, Nordstrom, etc...Yay!!now I have discovered AM Place.--

Anonymous

You are obviously an employee or an owner of the American Place store. Even someone who liked getting cheap prices for shabby clothing would never compare that place with Nordstrom's, or Bloomingdales. The average customer of American Place wouldn't even know what Nordstrom's is.

I am having you tracked. I don't like dishonest trolls on the Bay Ridge Blog.

I believe that you are a verizon subscriber from Brooklyn, and that your IP address is 71.190.25.

Please make more commments so that I can gather more information

Anonymous said...

I bought a The North Face Windwall 1 Jacket from Macys store & saved 35%..!!

Anonymous said...

Don't know if this blog is related to the other American Place blog, but you folks didn't post my comment because it was pro American Place which means that you only want negative feed back. I think that keeping the sidewalk clean is part of community relations which should be part of being a member of the community. How can a store be a part of the neighborhood when you and your army don't want it. Go there and befriend them. Talk with management so that you know them by their first names.

rale said...

i think this store is the best store in this neighborhood,cheap prices good stuff! who ever saying this store is bad is talking out of JEALOUSY!!! they dont know SHIT! MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!!!! i shop there all the time,get great deals on brand name!!!such a great price!! great customer service!!! i wish they stay here for good!!! i wish them the best!!
A+++++++

Anonymous said...

you all are wasting you time the owners of american place are richer than you can ever imagine they can practically buy bayridge...they dont care wether you like the place or not they've got the money to keep it opened wether you shop there or not so stop the bitching!!!!

Anonymous said...

the new American Place is 18th ave and 86 St in Bensonhurst is worse. So far, there have been three fires from their trash which they pile in the back of their stores.

They violate every type of codes on the book: DSNY code for sidewalk obstruction, FDNY code of fire hazard, Building Code for midnight construction, Parks Department for cutting trees without permit. You name it, they will violate it.

I expect a lot of calls to 311 from our neighborhood.

Anonymous said...

to the previous commentator about American Place's supposed financial clout.

i am sure it will come in handy if the owner has to pay out millions for damages and spend time in jail for negligence.

Anonymous said...

We are in a recession so I see it as a good thing that this store has opened. I work at macys and most of the things that i see in that store are items we sold the last cycle at Macys. Don't believe me and think i work for AP? My department is the 6th floor lingerie and shapewear area in Macys Herald Square.I've worked there for 15 years. My Macys ID is 834485. I find it amusing how you get so defensive over some stupid store. I'm not a regular there but i do go sparingly. My best find was a dress from BCBG i bought for $15 whereas it was for retail $300.BCBG! I've gotten plenty of compliments for it but it did have a damage ticket on it because the flower was falling off. A little hot glue was all it needed and everything was fine again. I've read in your second blog that any thing that was good said about this place was deleted so i really hope you don't delete this since we are all open to free speech as the first amendment has given us. Even with my macys employee discount, which is by the way just 20%, i could never find the deals i find there. why did i take the time to comment on this blog? because i think that it isn't right to prejudge something. These RAGS that people call them are actually high end things. Don't believe me? Go see for yourself. The shoes are designer. Some of the clothes are designer wear. What is so bad about paying cheap prices for something that doesn't have to be paid retail?

If you don't like it, you realy don't have to go online and blast about it. Really people. Find something more useful to do with your lives. I live on 4th and 70th and I didn't like them at first either becuase it did look like garbage. But i went in and looked around and i'm not blasting it. maybe people should do a little research on the store before they blast about it. go ahead. delete this now. Pointless.

Anonymous said...

American Place is what one would call a hit or miss store. didn't like it at first, wouldn't be caught dead in a store like that. went with a friend and has gotten hooked. dresses that i bought at macy's for full price or half price on sale are in american place for less than a quarter of the sale price. upset me to see most of my INC dresses at AP for little or nothing.

Anonymous said...

can you tell me address of this store

Anonymous said...

86th street and 18th avenue. directly across the street from marshalls. There's another one on 36th street and 13th avenue in brooklyn and another one on avenue p and mc donald

Anonymous said...

American Place on 18th st and 86th is horrible, I'm sure they opened before they were legally able to because the whole place looked like a fire hazard. Now it's all finished and looks better but the quality of clothing is outrageously bad, the employees have no clue about the prices of clothing unless a sign is near them and if there is a sign who needs to ask? So they are useless. Not to mention I had an experience there and that location (18th and 86th) is far from LGBT friendly.

My advice, walk an extra block and shop at Marshals.

~ Adrian

Anonymous said...

i discovered american place and have been lucky at times to find good stuff, name brands at very very low price...
*dress for $15 for a long sleeveless calvin klein dress
*cocktail dress with lining $35 with no damage with a Bloomingdales tag
*regret buying a pair of white pumps at macys $49 (which was on sale already) because i saw it in american place exactly the same at$15
*a kenneth cole bag with waterproof material with original tag of $188 , i bought for $20
*just today i went there and bought a pair of guess heeled shoes for $29
i wouldnt say all stuff are nice but there are good ones but not all the time.
and also even how cheap it may be, it depends on how the person carry it. so far ive been telling friends of this place whenever i get noticed with the things i bought from american place.

Anonymous said...

In my opinion it's peoples choices. They choose either to pay for clean & comfort shopping or for cheap bargain prices. There are plenty stores that are in a bad & awful conditions, not just AP. We should have all types of shopping places just because everybody wants to have nice stuff & clothe but not everybody has enough money. Especially in todays bad economic situation.
So people should be more patient and understand it. & its very simple - if you don't like some place just don't go there!!! It's not a solve of a problem of safety & doesn't mean stores can avoid responsibility but its also is not the worst problem we have today. We should work together to make everybody satisfied... Store closing is not the right way. We can't close every place we don't like... It could mean more unemployed people & more crime!!! So everybody should think about this!!!

Anonymous said...

I THINK AMERICAN PLACE IS THE BEST STORE U CAN EVER GO,IT HAVE BRAND NAMES CLOTHING AND SHOES AND THE PRICES ARE SO CHEAP,POEPLE JUST LIKE TO TALK BAD ABOUT THE STORE BUT I BET U THEY GO SHOP OVER THERE BECAUSE THE STORE IS SO GREAT AND THE PRICES ARE SO CHEAP AND U CAN FIND THE BEST DEALS EVER!!
THEY HAVE GREAT SALES EVERY 2 WEEKS AND THEY GET NEW STUFF EVERY WEEK AND ITS BETTER THAN ANY STORE U GO!!
GO SHOP THERE U WILL NOT REGRET IT
AND TO ALL THE POEPLE WHO TALK BAD ,MIND UR OWN BUSINESS!!!! IM SURE THEY JUST TALKING SHIT BECAUSE THEY HAVING NOTHING TO DO IN LIFE!!
AMERICAN PLACE IS THE BEST!!!!

Anonymous said...

am i the only comment posted in june?

Anonymous said...

Just received two John Varvatos shirts I purchased on ebay from this American Place and was surprised that there is an actual store.I was curious about what type of clothing they actually stocked.I got a great deal on these two shirts.They were a real bargain and in new condition with the original hang tags and prices.I don't give a crap what the place looks like or how they display the merchandise,just let me have it at a deep discount and I'll be back.Would love to make it out there.My wife grew up in Sunset Park.