Eileen Fisher and her company of the same name are celebrating 25 years in the clothing business with a number of events, including the opening of a new store. At Eileen Fisher LAB, which opened September 16 in the same building complex as EF corporate headquarters on Bridge Street, fans of Fisher’s clothing and those new to the label are discovering a different kind of shopping experience. Although the location is unusual for a retail store, Eileen Fisher customers are having no problem finding it on the west side of the train tracks in Irvington, near the Hudson River.

Upon entering the spacious warehouse-like setting of Eileen Fisher LAB, customers are greeted by knowledgeable sales associates who explain the layout. Unlike traditional Eileen Fisher retail stores, which offer the current season’s designs, EF LAB offers an assortment of four categories of women’s clothing and accessories: current, recent, sample, and recycled. At the front of the store are the current and recent offerings. Further into the space, sample designs not available elsewhere–and many not yet in production–are offered at discounted prices. Recycled clothes at even greater discounts are displayed at the back of the store. These are Eileen Fisher clothes from previous seasons and samples–“gently worn” and now donated by EF employees–that are screened and cleaned before being offered for sale.

Notably, the entire proceeds from the sale of the recycled clothes will go to charities that help women and girls. For the fall season, that charity is Girls Inc. of Westchester County, a local nonprofit organization that offers “research-based programs that empower girls to help them realize their full potential and assert their rights.” Considering how popular the recycled clothes were during the first week of the store’s opening, it is not surprising that plans are in the works to expand this program by reaching out to Eileen Fisher customers who might wish to donate their gently worn EF clothing.

The name “Eileen Fisher LAB” proves true to the store’s purpose—it is a place for discovery. Eileen Fisher clothes are known for their simple lines, quality fabrics, and classic colors—and for the ability to mix and match the pieces in ever-changing ways. For EF LAB customers, the broad range of Eileen Fisher clothes and accessories provides ample options with which to experiment; and sales associates are enthusiastic but never pushy as they help customers search for a look that is right for them. For Eileen Fisher employees, the location of EF LAB provides an opportunity to be steps away from talking with customers about what designs they like and why. The partnership between customers and company employees is evident, and the bond between them can only grow stronger with this innovative new venture.