A Man’s Image plans to relocate, leaving large storefront up for grabs
A Man’s Image is looking to close its large storefront at 1709 E. Passyunk Ave.
The menswear store, an East Passyunk Ave. staple since 1980, is looking to downsize now that owner Abe Mandel is 74 years old and ready to pass on the business.
This means that the 4,400 sq. ft. property is up for grabs as Mandel searches for a new tenant.
Once Mandel finds a new tenant, he plans to relocate A Man’s Image to a smaller East Passyunk Ave. storefront and then pass on the business to three of his salesman to own and operate.
More on the plans for A Man’s Image from the Inquirer:
Mandel will finance their start, he said, and do their buying as long as they pay his travel expenses for multiple yearly forays to Atlanta, Manhattan, and Las Vegas, and eventually reimburse him for the start-up merchandise.
“After one year, they take over,” he said. “The lease will still be in my name, mainly so they can get used to each other.”
Not that the soon-to-be owners – Louis Zulli, 58, and Bob Taylor, 43, both of South Philadelphia, and Mario Maldonado, 57, of Audubon – are strangers. Zulli and Taylor have worked for Mandel 31 years and 28 years, Maldonado for 19.
This isn’t the only news happening at 12th and Passyunk. Bing Bing Dim Sum is opening soon, $300k could be spent on pedestrian improvements, the hole in the ground for the former Scarduzio project is still undeveloped, and then there’s the Interior Concepts building which is no longer on the market and three more buildings for sale in the area. Once all of these improvements come through, this intersection could be almost unrecognizable.
What would you like to see move into this prime space on the avenue?
Same artist as the king of jeans logo?
I am sure it will become some knick knack store that sells about 20 overpriced items that no one really wants or needs. And it will last about 5 months, just like the other useless knick stores on the ave. Why don’t all the little boutique stores combine forces, rent a larger property on the ave. and make it a mini flee.
That’s actually a really good idea. Split the overhead and set themselves up for success with combined promotion
That is seriously a great idea, and makes tons of sense.
That’s the best idea I have heard for the Avenue. Is Interior Concepts still for sale?
Zoning aside, something with brunch and cafe seating to fill up that prime sidewalk real estate.
Why not a nice beer distributor???
mortimer? is that you?
As long as the Steve Harvey suits or white alligator shoes go on clearance before they leave, we all win.
Man, I need to get the courage up to go in there before they close. Not that I would buy any of those clothes, but I am generally curious although I have been generally terrified by the signage that says things like “We will have sex with you, you know you want it!”
Have to admit to stumbling past there after enjoying an afternoon of cocktails following a Philly Spring Clean-up day and in my less-than-perfectly-sober-state buying a nice pair of shoes that I think had fur or deerskin on them.
That said… yes something with sidewalk seating to take advantage of that nice expanse right in the wedge would be good. Also, if it could be renovated to engage both the Passyunk and 12th Street sides of the building, it would really brighten up that lifeless slab going down 12th.
Huge loss for the Avenue. The clothes they displayed outside and in the windows was a poor representation of what they actually had in the store. The salesmen were one of a kind from the old school. They really knew how to fit you and really valued their customers. I’m bummed.
The salesman are the new owners! It’ll be the same aparently
This would be the perfect spot for a new Nifty Fifties. Young and old would love the place. Not sure if the location is big enough.
Why would a Nifty Fifties succeed when one already failed not so far away on the avenue..? Or did it catch fire…? I forget…
South Philly Food Coop could anchor this prominent site, especially with a bike share station out front.
Ditto! Would love to see the South Philly Food Co-op here!
If it is feasible.
I can’t imagine a chain opening up on the Ave. So, no to Nifty Fifty’s, IMO.
A Man’s Image actually has an impressive selection of men’s clothing, including for more modern and stylish offerings than I would have suspected just in walking by. A friend’s boyfriend wanted to check it out when we were strolling the Ave about a year ago and I was pleasantly surprised by their selection and very reasonable prices.