MICHAEL K. KICKING OFF IN SOHO; TRANSIT OWNER'S NEW STORE BLENDS URBAN BRANDS, PREMIUM SPORTSWEAR.(Haim Kedmi)

Daily News Record, September, 2003 by Bailey, Lee

NEW YORK -- Veteran New York retailer Haim Kedmi has a new venture.

The owner of Transit and Active Wearhouse is opening a 22,000-square-foot store in Manhattan's Soho district, called Michael K. (Michael is Kedmi's middle name). The store has entrances on both Broadway and Crosby Street, and consists primarily of in-store shops devoted to premium brands, including Enyce, Sean John, Ben Sherman, Lacoste, Fred Perry and Puma. The store is one of a very few where so-called "urban" brands and more mainstream sportswear are sold together.

Kedmi anticipates the store will draw 40,000 shoppers a week, and will benefit from neighbors including Old Navy, Banana Republic and the new Bloomingdale's. "The store will draw on the crowds from Broadway, but will...