A new Vineyard Vines store was recently unveiled in Bermuda by A.S. Cooper & Sons, marking the first overseas stand-alone location selling the brand, known for its preppy line of clothing and smiling pink whale logo.
A.S. Cooper & Sons, Ltd first started selling the Vineyard Vines brand in Bermuda about 10 years ago in their Men’s store. The business steadily grew over the years, fostering a close relationship with the Murray brothers.
The company was founded in 1998 on Martha’s Vineyard by brothers Shep and Ian Murray, and during a visit to the island with his family three years ago, Shep Murray suggested that Cooper’s consider opening a freestanding location.
The Murray brothers started coming to Bermuda as children and have loved it ever since, with a notable array of correlations between the lifestyle brand they developed and the Bermuda lifestyle, making the brand’s connection to the island seem quite natural.
Once Vineyard Vines became the “Official Style of the America’s Cup”, it made increasing sense for A.S. Cooper & Sons to relocate their Children’s Department to the second floor of their main store, leaving the empty space free to be renovated in order to capitalize on the opportunity.
“Everything had to be done to a very high standard with great attention to detail so we had Ocean Interiors team up with Bothelo Wood Architecture to execute the job. We knew from our shop-fit last year at Astwood Dickinson that these guys could pull it off in a short timeframe,” said Cooper.
The end result has yielded one of Bermuda’s most appealing and attractive shopping environments, boasting a gloss white coffered ceiling, wainscotted white shelving fixtures, and light pine flooring, giving the shop a spacious New England beach house feeling.
Nautical decor is seen throughout the store, culminating in the cash wrap desk disguised as a fishing boat transom. A giant Teddy Tucker shipwreck map is displayed above with permission from the Tucker family, adding to the store’s unique local flavour.
The store’s merchandise for men, woman and children is decidedly preppy and features a bright color palette that fits in perfectly with Bermuda’s natural hues.
Plenty of graphic tee shirts featuring the whimsical whale are available, including exclusive designs just for Bermuda; their America’s Cup collection is also available.
The store is located on Front Street in the Bermuda’s capital city of Hamilton, and will be open from Monday through Saturday from 10.00am through 6.00pm, and from 1.00pm until 5.00pm on Sunday.
Two Bermudian senior sales staff and three Bermudian junior sales staff have been hired to operate the store, with ongoing training by Vineyard Vines expected.
– Photos courtesy of Into Bermuda/Kondwani Williams
