Yale Welcomes Three Stores to the Broadway District; New Haven Sees Growth in Retail Base

New Haven, Conn. — The new year is bringing new retail to the Broadway District in downtown New Haven.

Yale’s University Properties continues to help strengthen New Haven’s economic development with three retail stores—Denali, Traffic and Trailblazer–slated to open this winter. All three retail stores are owned and operated by Trailblazer, LLC, a partnership of Chris Howe, David Venables and Todd Raskin.

“We are looking forward to being a part of the Broadway District again and to having the opportunity to open several new stores that will complement the retail that’s already there,” said Howe.

Trailblazer will reopen in its former location at 296 Elm Street and will continue to offer a selection of sportswear and footwear. The retailer had moved from its original location on Broadway to expanded premises on Chapel Street in 2004. Yale’s University Properties, their landlord on Broadway, helped Trailblazer find a larger spot, even though it was not a University-owned property.

“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to welcome Trailblazer back to Broadway. It is great to see a local New Haven merchant flourish and expand to multiple locations in our revitalized downtown,” said Bruce D. Alexander, vice president for New Haven and State Affairs and Campus Development.

Denali, featuring The North Face clothing and gear, will be located at 13 Broadway. Elm City Artists, which currently uses the space, will relocate within the Broadway District.

The third addition to the Broadway District, Traffic, focusing on surf and skate attire and accessories, will be located at 23 Broadway — next to Cutler’s at 25 Broadway, which is completing renovations to its store.

“More stores bring more people to the area, and that will certainly benefit Cutler’s as well as all the retailers in the District,” said Phil Cutler, owner of Cutler’s. “There’s a lot of synergy between our products and the clothing lines that Traffic will be offering. We’re delighted to be their new neighbor.”

The Broadway District includes stores such as Urban Outfitters, J.Crew, Barnes & Noble Yale Bookstore, Origins and Wish List, as well as several restaurants.

“New Haven is continuing to get the attention of retailers, and there is certainly growing interest in merchants to move downtown. We expect to make several more announcements in the next few weeks,” said Abigail Rider, director of University Properties.

Yale University has been an active partner in creating a vital downtown and promoting New Haven’s economic development through its community investment program. Paying more than $4 million annually, Yale is the largest real estate taxpayer in New Haven.