Armory Square sign.JPG
The Armory Square sign on South Clinton Street, seen in a file photo. A new children's clothing store will open in downtown Syracuse next month.
(Jennifer Meyers | The Post-Standard)
Syracuse, N.Y. — One of the vacant storefronts on West Jefferson Street in Armory Square is about to be filled.
Indie Kid, a children's clothing store, will open next month in space across from the Museum of Science and Technology, formerly occupied by Showoffs Boutique. Showoffs moved to a larger space in Armory Square earlier this year.
Indie Kid owner Michelle Brancaccio was born and raised in Syracuse but later lived in New York City and worked in the fashion industry. She held a host of jobs in the business including sales, styling, merchandising and buying.
She and her husband moved back to Central New York five years ago to raise their children.
She's aiming for something "hip and edgy" with her new venture.
"The whole theme I'm going for is like an Urban Outfitters for kids," she said.
That means items like Ramones T-shirts in kids' sizes, among other things, she said. The store will carry clothes at a variety of prices.
Brancaccio also plans to run activities for children at the shop.
"I want to have different things going on," she said. "I want it to be a place you can come and hang out with your kids."
Indie Kid's arrival is the latest wrinkle in a shakeup of the retail scene downtown.
Longtime Armory Square shops, including Eva's Boutique, Elsbeth Rose, Oleander and Joette's, all closed in recent months. Showoffs moved into Oleander's old space on West Jefferson Street.
Bersani Gallery on South Salina Street plans to open a second location in the former Joette's spot.
The owners of Elsbeth Rose and Joette's both cited downtown parking problems and poor sales as reasons for shutting down. Elsbeth Rose still has a store in Fayetteville and Joette's has a location in New Hartford.
Eva's moved its shop to Fayetteville as well. Owner Eva Higgins said at the time that she was a fan of Armory Square, but most of her customers live in the city's eastern suburbs.
Brancaccio said she has no qualms about downtown.
"You get that city feeling," she said. "It's very hip and up-and-coming. It seemed like the right fit."
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