Main Street: Banana Republic Arrives

As New York City goes, so goes Main Street, East Hampton.

That's how Michael Dadario sees it, anyway.

Mr. Dadario is the executive director for stores and operations, nationwide, of Banana Republic, the clothing retailer. Banana Republic, which has 246 branches, will open another one soon at 35 Main Street - vintage brick-front quarters that last season housed a high-end women's clothier called Kapsiki.

The store is coming to the village, said Mr. Dadario, because of the "crossover." With 11 branches in New York City, weekenders, he thinks, will also shop at its branch here. "It seems appropriate," the executive said, adding that he had been seeking the "right spot" in East Hampton Village for six or seven years.

More Charm

No matter that Banana Republic also has a 7,000-square-foot store in Bridgehampton Commons, where both men's and women's wear can be had (only women's clothes will be sold on Main Street). The chain's parent company, the Gap, also has shops in Bridgehampton, one for adults, one for kids.

The space here, about 6,800 square feet, will have "more charm," said Mr. Dadario. Renovated, with the approval of the Village Design Review Board, it will resemble "a residence - with several little rooms inside."

He declined to say how long the lease will run (Bridgehampton's branch has seven years to go), or what the space costs.

How Women Dress

But he did have thoughts on how women dress these days - "the same all week."

At least 50 percent of the city's employers have "a relaxed dress code," he observed - no more "power suits all week and jeans on the weekend." Now it's slacks, skirts, and tops.

And that's what will be for sale - along with shoes, intimate apparel, jewelry, and fragrances.

Banana Republic plans to remain open year-round.