J.Crew Factory is expanding in Montgomery County, with a new location planned for Gaithersburg’s Rio Lakefront. Signage is expected to go up next week, but an opening timeframe is not yet available
The retailer will take over the space previously occupied by Finewine.com (20 Grand Corner Ave., Suite A), which closed at the shopping and dining destination last month. Once open, the store will bring the outlet-style brand’s signature preppy aesthetic and lower-priced apparel options to the waterfront development.
J.Crew Factory operates as the value-focused brand under the J.Crew Group umbrella. While it shares the same overall style and look as the main J.Crew brand, the factory line functions as a separate retail concept with its own designs and production.
Unlike some outlet stores that primarily sell leftover inventory from full-price locations, most J.Crew Factory merchandise is specifically produced for the factory line. The clothing is designed to resemble the main brand’s styles but is typically made with simpler materials and construction, such as plastic buttons instead of horn or mother-of-pearl, thinner linings, and less intricate stitching.
The tradeoff is price. J.Crew Factory items are generally priced significantly lower than the main brand, often around 40% to 60% less, and the stores frequently run promotions and sales throughout the year.
The new Rio Lakefront location will join two other J.Crew Factory stores in Montgomery County, including one at Congressional Plaza in Rockville and another at the Clarksburg Premium Outlets.
