Beaned & Booted

Five people got the boot at the new L.L. Bean store Tuesday. And they were glad about it.

Each person won a pair of the classic duck boots, originally known as the Maine hunting shoe, that put the outdoor retailer and its founder Leon Leonwood Bean — L.L. Bean — on the map as part of an official ​“Welcome to New Haven” ribbon-cutting event Wednesday.

The event was hosted by Yale University Properties and City of New Haven officials at L.L. Bean’s new two-story outpost at 272 Elm St, which had its grand opening during the first weekend of August. (Read more about that here.) The New Haven location is only the second urban location for the retailer; the other urban location is in Boston.

Lauren Zucker, Yale University associate vice president for New Haven Affairs and University Properties, said the university is committed to sustaining a vital downtown and promoting New Haven’s economic development.

“Attracting exciting new tenants such as L.L. Bean into New Haven is one of the most important ways we do this,” she said.

She pointed out L.L. Bean’s commitment to being part of the Yale and New Haven community, particularly through its free in-store activities. On Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. the store will offer an ​“Adventures with Your Dog” outdoor clinic. And on Tuesdays, parents can bring their little beans for ​“Tent Tales for Tykes,” an interactive activity that helps young children explore different outdoor nature themes.

“So from a single product, the Maine hunting shoe, to the creation of L.L. Bean in New Haven and over 20 New Haven jobs, it is proof that quality, commitment, and passion are a great blueprint for success,” she said. ​“Leon Leonwood Bean has indeed left big shoes to fill and we plan to fill at least five pairs of feet into his boots this afternoon.”

References to the famous boots abound Wednesday, even Mayor Toni Harp got in on the act.

“I hope no one minds the expression but I expect New Haven shoppers will take to this store like a duck boot to water,” Harp said, drawing chuckles. But on a more serious note, she said having a nationally recognized brand like L.L. Bean is a feather in New Haven’s cap. And so is having the new building that the store calls home, which adds a lot more charm to the streetscape than the previous parking lot.

“It follows that other New Haven shops, restaurants, and attractions stand to benefit from the traffic into and throughout New Haven generated by L.L. Bean,” Harp said. ​“And as an aside, I believe it’s product line is tailor-made for New Haven with its ample city parks and nearby hiking trails and the beautiful fall season just around the corner to draw people outdoors.”

Harp also applauded Yale for building graduate student housing above the store. ​“It underscores [Yale’s] commitment to providing adequate housing stock for accomplished students arriving literally from around the world,” she said.