After spending 30 years in the wholesale fashion business, Carmen Avramidis said, she decided she was ready to test out the retail market.
On July 19, Avramidis opened her first retail store, Exclusive European Designers Outlet, located at 2034 Hillside Ave. in New Hyde Park.
The retail location sells European clothing and accessories for both men and women. Although Avramidis said her collection for men is not that extensive, she said she hopes to expand the collection as time goes on.
“It was about time to open up my own outlet,” said Avramidis, who owns the New York City-based fashion wholesale company Jemca Creations.
Avramidis said she decided to locate in New Hyde Park after finding the available space for her retail store, and said she also hopes the location will allow her to attract customers from the nearby areas of Manhasset Hills and Great Neck. Her inventory ranges from around $90 to $250, depending on the designer and type of clothing.
Designers sold include Roberto Cavalli, Angelo Marani, Plein Sued and Ermanno Scervino. Avramidis said that all inventory sold in her store is created by European designers.
“I started with European designers because they’re so unique and different,” she said.
She said the store caters to those ages 20 and up, although she does have some inventory in the store that is appropriate for teenagers 16 to 18.
Even with the business having been open for just under two weeks, Avramidis said, business is going “very well.”
She said because she is also wholesaler she has the possibility of opening up more outlets around Long Island if people demonstrate an interest in her clothing and prices.
“This is the beginning of something that can get really big,” Avramidis said.
