Online retailer Respect Your Universe to open its first store

Portland, Ore. – The online active lifestyle apparel retailer Respect Your Universe has signed a five year lease with General Growth Properties Inc. to open its initial flagship store in downtown Seattle at Westlake Center. The retailer has partnered with Los Angeles-based architect and retail strategist Richard Altuna to design the 2,082-sq.-ft. flagship store.



RYU anticipates that the store will open in late December 2013 to capture a portion of holiday sales and will undergo transition into the full flagship design in time for the grand opening in late March, 2014.



The company’s near -expansion plan includes an outlet store which is currently in the final stages of negotiations and is expected to open in early 2014. In addition, RYU has begun discussion with another premium mall landlord for a second flagship store with a target opening in the first half of 2014.



"This is a milestone for RYU as it demonstrates GGP's belief in our new retail concept in a location that generates significant retail traffic,” said CEO Craig Brod. “This marks a milestone step in our efforts to reposition our brand and to execute our retail expansion strategy."