Weekend Recap...Plus, Major Announcement Coming Soon

Well in visiting a bunch of NYC stores this weekend, it is clear that the merchandise is just about done, in fact I believe it may have been the last group of shipments that is being sent.  The vast majority of stuff that came in was items from the liquidator's inventory (all marked w/Black dots), not even worth mentioning here.  The NYC stores did however, still have large inventories of stock, especially Sait shirts (Mastai Ferreti, Agho, etc...), much more so than down here in Philly.

But all the stores did actually get in some scarves and gloves that are from Daffy's stock. Avoid the Calvin Klein and Geoffrey Beene, and stick to the Amicale and the no-label scarves (vendor code on the tags is ELLE) that are made in Italy - marked at $13.99, will cost you less than $10 w/the current discount.

That is it merchandise-wise for now....

BUT --- STAY TUNED TO THE BLOG --- Later this week we will have a major announcement that is bound to cause some excitement.

The Last Hurrah...

...or close to it. Was told that on top of the stuff that came in today, which wasn't much mind you,  tomorrow the Philly store will receive two trucks and another one on Friday. So it sounds like this is the last push before new stuff stops coming in. Space is already getting filled in w/junk from the liquidators, including shirts that came in under the label Straight Faided - stuff you'd find at stores like Payhalf.

Whether this week or next is the last one for new merch., this is basically it. Get it this week before it all disappears for good, or at least temporarily (more on that next week...)

Merch. Update Part 2

Not much to tell, as the shipments are slowing down -- but here it is --

Shoes came into Philly from Donald Pliner (made in Italy). There were maybe a dozen pairs total, all large sizes --- but they included several pairs of beautifully beaded loafers. I only saw these in Philly -- none of the Jersey stores had them.

Ties -- a whole boat load of ties came down here to Philly. Some worthless stuff from Ertu, but some really nice items from Daks (made in Italy), and a handful of ties from Altea (made in Italy). 

And the Paramus store got in a handful of sweaters from Solosali (made in Italy). Some really nice pieces, but, maybe a total of 5 or 6 that I saw.

That was it, sadly. While one person down here told me there were still two weeks worth of trucks left, another person in one of the Jersey stores told me that next week is the last week of new merchandise. So take it for what it's worth - one to two weeks left before there is literally nothing left worthwhile coming in the door.

The stores are already getting filler merchandise from the liquidators -- socks, underwear and shirts in the men's sections and lots of stuff in the home sections -- remember to avoid anything w/a Black dot on the price tag.

Merch. Update

Decent sized shipment came in --- biggest thing was an assortment of Kenneth Cole jackets -- wool blends, and some puffer coats. A small selection of cotton knitwear also came in from a label called Portocruz -- made in China, and designed like something you'd pick up at men's wearhouse.

The only worthwhile items were various leathers from Lenny Turk - most were marked as samples, and a few more random blazers from Copen Group (made in Italy) -- a Royal Hem double-breasted corduroy caught my eye, but it was one size too big.

That was all for now, though, for those of you looking for Sait/Mastai Ferretti shirts, we still have plenty of 'em down here in Philly -- they were still being put out onto the racks. Discounts are confirmed for 20% off menswear, 40% off men's shoes.

Additional Discounts

Just got the email...everything is now an additional 20-40% off, so I expect all menswear to be a minimum of 20% off, shoes may have gone up to an additional 40% off, as they were 30% off last week.

Merch. updates coming soon.

Slowly Coming to an End

Well it looks like the new merchandise is just about to run out, w/most of the good stuff having been picked over at this point. A number of David Chu blazers are still left down here in Philly along w/a bunch of Copen Group stuff and a lot of knits.

As for new merchandise that came in this week -- some wool sweaters from 3519 (made in Italy) and a bunch of acrylic/wool combo sweaters w/the label Real Box - neither really worth your time. Also, a bunch of heavyweight full-length coats from a label called Dicarelli -- all made in the Dominican Republic w/various materials -- cashmere, camel hair -- $79.99-$199.99. The materials seemed fine, but the construction not so much. I think the name tells you all you need to know about these things.

The 'Non-Daffy's' Merchandise

See below. These are up in-store now.

Quick Merch. Update

Just a quick note as to what I saw on a few of the racks being rolled out onto the floor down here in Philly -- a big load of Cosby sweaters, and a bunch of merchandise from Beau Brummel, a boutique in NYC. The Brummel stuff always winds up being very mixed, with some great pieces, and some quite awful ones.

Also noticed that the shoe section (now on its own floor here in Philly) had three pairs of Messori (made in Italy) boots in size 44 EU (11US). They were very interesting to say the least.

Also of note, though I have not seen any of it personally -- the going out of business email distributed by Daffy's contained a note that there will be other 'non-Daffy's' merchandise added to the sale. If you see anything without a Daffy's tag, or that looks out of place for Daffy's, I would tend to avoid it, as it is probably the liquidators trying to unload merchandise from their prior acquisitions.

PSA -- Liquidators Are Moving In, Discounts Starting

At least down here in Philly, the liquidators have moved in, putting up going out of business signs everywhere they can. All menswear is now discounted an extra 10%. Get ready folks b/c, sadly, it's going to start feeling less like Daffy's and more like a madhouse.

Update, Part II

Well after visiting every single one of the NJ stores on Saturday, I payed a visit to 7/8 Manhattan locations on Sunday.

The only thing which really stood out differently from the pack was 34th St. which had about 10 pairs of some really beautiful Florsheim by Duckie Brown boots - some in the traditional white/gold boxes, others in plain white boxes, for $139.99.

The other major find was the Gazzarrini (made in Italy) merchandise at 18th St., 34th St., Soho, and 57th East Side. Some really amazing pieces this year, including a lot of outerwear -- my favorite was a suede shearling in Soho. Suits were available only at 18th, Soho and 57th, and there were only 4 or 5 per store. 

Copen Group items were available at every store except for 18th St. 34th St. received a large number of pants that were put out on their own rack. Try and snap these up if they're still available, as they're likely the only pants selection you will see before the store closes.

David Chu (made in Italy) blazers are available at just about every location in NYC and NJ. They got a lot of that stuff in -- high quality at dirt cheap prices.

And one final note -- down here in Philly and in the East Hanover, NJ store, they received about 6 or 7 really nicely made wool ties from Verdi & Kennedy (made in Italy). It's a boutique in NYC that sells private label Italian goods. Unsure what other stores got these, if at all, but don't count on any additional tie shipments either.

Weekend Update Part I: Philly/Jersey

Shirts from Saitt (made in Italy)  are in stores now.  Large selection in just about every store, though, most stores are unable to put out everything on the floor at the moment due to space constraints. Philly did not have Saitt shirts in as of Friday, possibly still in the stock room.

Items from Copen Group, including Pennesi, De Curtis & Royal Hem, are out - a few suits and pants, and a lot of blazers and coats. Only available in Philly, Elizabeth (both locations) and Paramus. Some really beautiful pieces if you can find some things in your size.

Suits and blazers from Lombardelli are also available at Philly and Elizabeth 1/9. Nicely made stuff, though, most of the styling is a bit tired.

David Chu (made in Italy) items are available in every location -- really nicely made stuff, and at dirt-cheap prices. Lots of blazers and pants, the wool blazers starting at $69.99 for items that are worth $900+.

Shearlings from Owen Barry (made in England). Wonderfully made, but has never been the best-looking, and for $300+ per piece, you had better like it b/c everything is now final sale.

Leathers from Alex & Co. (made in Italy) - including some labels marked Givenchy, Prince Oliver, and Stephen Kempson. These jackets are on par w/the items from Compagnia Delle Pelli, truly beautiful pieces. Only available in Philly and Paramus.

Gazzarrini (made in Italy) -- beautiful stuff this season, but the only place I have seen it thus far is in the Paramus store. I am told this has been released in NYC, however. More details on that Monday.

Shoes from Boemos (made in Italy) -- a few pairs of driving-mocs made it into the Elizabeth 1/9 store and the Totowa, NJ store. Nothing special, but nicely made.

And finally, stuff to avoid -- lots of pants from Greg Peters, and coats from Kenneth Cole and Chereskin.

News Update

So it is official that JEMB Realty, and not Aurora Capital, is picking up the chain for its real estate.  From looking at the bankruptcy filing, it appears Daffy's owned the Secaucus, Elizabeth 1/9, East Hanover and Philly locations outright, while the rest were leased from various real estate companies.

If you didn't see it on yesterday's twitter post, there are already rumors that the store down here in Philly is slated to become a Century 21.

Merchandise Update -- COPEN GROUP NOW IN!!!

Made a quick stop in at Philly today and am glad to report that items from Copen Group (made in Italy) are now in, including wool coats, blazers and suits. The suit selection was small, but the coats and blazers were awesome. Phenomenal quality for these prices. Brands include Pennesi, Royal Hem, and DeCurtis.

And happened to overhear some rumors about the building today. For that info, check out the Twitter feed at twitter.com/#!/yellowbaggers.

Official Statement From Daffy's

Daffy's just released an official statement which was sent out to all of its Facbeook and email subscribers --

Busy Week

An official press release just came out stating that JEMB Realty has purchased certain real estate and intellectual property assets belonging to Daffy's. Unclear if this means that the rumored deal w/Aurora fell through. Details at Marketwatch.com.

More News

Well today's just a fun day...news surfaced late this evening that Daffy's also filed for bankruptcy today. Unsure how it jives w/the apparent purchase by the real estate firm, but I suppose it could help the shed some unwanted debt. Details at Reuters.

Daffy's Sold?

According to a report on Real Estate Weekly, Daffy's may have been sold to Aurora Capital Associates, a real estate investment firm. Apparently the deal was more about the real estate that Daffy's owns and leases, rather than anything else, so don't get your hopes up.  More details at the link.