Strawberry

Strawberry was a women’s fashion retailer that became a familiar presence in New York City and its neighboring markets. Founded in 1971, the company began as a single store and quickly built a reputation for offering affordable, trend-focused apparel and accessories. Over the decades, Strawberry expanded its reach, operating stores in busy urban neighborhoods and shopping centers throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut. By the early 2000s, the brand had grown to more than 30 locations, with its flagship store located in Manhattan.

As of September 2017, Strawberry’s footprint was concentrated in high-foot-traffic corridors, particularly in New York City and surrounding areas. The company favored flexible retail formats that allowed it to adapt to a variety of urban infill locations, and its stores were known for driving steady customer visits thanks to frequent inventory updates and competitive pricing. In the years leading up to its closure, Strawberry continued to focus on densely populated markets, maintaining a presence in both street retail and mall environments.

In July 2017, Strawberry filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid intensifying competition from e-commerce and changing consumer habits. All remaining stores closed by September 2017, bringing an end to more than four decades in business. Strawberry’s legacy remains notable for its urban-focused strategy and its ability to generate consistent foot traffic in some of the region’s most competitive retail corridors.