Dear J Crew

Dear J Crew,

We go together, you and I, like peanut butter and jelly.

visit us at jcrew.com

You fit me. I like your style and quality. You’ve spoiled me with not one, but two retail locations in my town plus a crewcuts store. Divine.

That’s why I regret to inform you I will be moving to a new town soon. A town that has no J Crew stores. A Cowtown.

Oh, I know I can order online. But it won’t be the same.

I’ll miss your quirky, cool salespeople, the convenience of trying on things before buying, your super in-store markdowns.

Today I appeal to your president and creative director Jenna Lyons. Please open a store in Wichita, Ms. Lyons. Do it for fashion. Do it for me.

bradley fair

Wichita is the largest city in Kansas with nearly 400,000 people. It’s the Air Capitol of the World. Home to the jet setters—Bombardier Learjet, Cessna and Hawker Beechcraft.

And it’s a seat of American success and entrepreneurship. Take a look at Forbes list of  the largest privately held companies in the United States.

Numero uno, Cargill, headquarters its beef operations there. Koch Industries, second on the list, is headquartered in Wichita too.

I’ve taken the liberty of scouting a location for you. Bradley Fair appears to be where all the happening cats hang. There’s only one vacant storefront left, so you better get cracking.

And Ms. Lyons, while you’re making plans for your store, will you ask Apple, DSW and Trader Joe’s to open stores in Wichita? It would be of great help to me.

the red phone

Also please see about installing a direct line to my new residence. You know, a red phone like the ones in the stores. With free shipping.

In the meantime, I’ll plan buying trips to your stores in Kansas City, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City. I’ll reach out to the delivery man in my new neighborhood. I’ll chat with your minions of personal shoppers online.

It may seem like I’m asking a lot. But surely you can understand. J Crew is my go-to store. The one that I want. The one I need.

the hip and the square

For the sake of the well-dressed, the hip and the square on the prairie, I implore you to act. Open a store in Wichita, Jenna. It will be worth it.

And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. Matthew 6:28-29 NLT

How do I live without you?

9 thoughts on “Dear J Crew”

  1. I see this is an old article, but I moved here to Wichita from Virginia two years ago and have wished the same wish many times.
    I spoke with a rep for Bradley Fair and while they sought after J Crew for several years, Crew wasn’t interested. Now they are, and there are no openings. They have to wait for a space to open up. (I gave her some suggestions of who to give the boot. ;)
    I work in Bradley Fair, so I’d love to see it happen!

    1. Thanks for the comment, Debra. We’re no longer in Wichita, but I understand your pain. Driving to Kansas City or Tulsa to shop was NOT working for me. I hope you get your store!

  2. Pingback: Go for Broke? | everyday epistle

  3. This came up on my “Jenna Lyons” Google alert.

    I’m from Manhattan, KS. I feel your pain. My grandparents live in Wichita and I think there used to be a J. Crew at Bradley Fair many years ago. But like The Body Shop and Restoration Hardware, it disappeared. Or maybe I imagined it.

  4. I think you should look into purchasing some wrangler jeans, a tattered flannel shirt & some cowgirl boots! Will be looking for that picture after you get moved in!

  5. Such a charming little note. Whether it’s KC or Wichita, I think we both should do a little shopping at J Crew together soon!

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