EbLens to set up shop in New Rochelle

EbLens, an urban apparel and footwear retailer, is set to open the doors of a new location at 440 North Ave. in New Rochelle later this year.

The planned opening follows the recent rezoning of downtown New Rochelle, part of the city”™s plan to revamp the area.

David Roth of Palladium Management, the New York City-based owner of the property, said New Rochelle”™s downtown has seen a spike in interest from retailers as a result of the rezoning.

Palladium bought the previously vacant lot, which once served as a supermarket and fish store, in a “distressed situation” in 2014.

Roth said that as master developer RDRXR, a joint venture of RXR and Renaissance Downtowns, prepares to carry out the revitalization plan, he expects the downtown region to attract “further interest from credit-worthy retailers.”

Torrington, Conn.-based EbLens operates more than 40 locations in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

EbLens President Richard Seaman said he is “very excited” to be part of the revitalization of downtown New Rochelle.

RM Friedland and Investment Design Properties were the brokers in the deal.