PORTLAND — It’s been three years since clothing designer Roxi Suger and her husband, Julian Schlaver, moved from New York City to open up a retail shop in Biddeford.

With the eponymous store Suger selling the duo’s iconic athleisure brand, Angelrox, the couple won the hearts of the Biddeford community with their welcoming attitude and charity-driven spirit.

But after three years occupying their space at 25 Alfred St., and manufacturing their trademark clothes in Biddeford’s Pepperell Mill, the duo is expanding their reach into Maine’s largest city, opening a Suger store in one of Portland Old Port’s most iconic landmarks.

The two plan to open the new location in the  E. Swasey and Co. Pottery Building, located at 271 Commercial St., sometime in May. The 1,600-square-foot space was once the home to the noteworthy pottery company, which manufactured crockery and glassware in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Suger said there are “so many reasons” why the two wanted to expand their brand to Portland’s most historic district.

“We’re excited to get to know Portland a little better as part of our home state now, and the ‘capital city,’ if you will, the cosmopolitan area of Maine,” Suger said in an interview on Friday. “I’ve always hoped and dreamed that we could open more than just one retail location. The proximity of Portland to Biddeford makes it a wonderful place to do that.” 

In addition, Suger said, the new space will allow the pair to expand their customer base. Already, she said, a number of women travel from across Maine just to shop at the Biddeford Suger store, which carries a number of sustainable, bamboo-based products available for purchase.

But the new, relatively central location, in the heart of the Old Port, will make travel easier for those further north who enjoy the Angelrox brand, whom Suger lovingly refers to as ‘angels.’

“It’s very exciting to have a product and a following that is actually creating its own tiny bit of tourism in Biddeford,” Suger said. “But we thought the Portland location will give a more convenient location for those farther-up-state Maine ‘angels.’”

Schlaver, who is both Suger’s husband and business partner, agreed the move is a necessary part of the brand’s trajectory. 

“The Old Port has such a great character to it, so we’re really excited to be specifically in the Old Port, on Commercial Street,” he said Friday. “There’s a lot of great energy here.”

And the two aren’t holding any of their creative energy back. Both have their hands in designing and constructing the space, which features a number of items from Biddeford’s past, in addition to Portland’s own. 

The floor, which was tiled from the space’s previous tenant, has been pulled back to expose the hardwood beneath. Over the top, Suger and Schalver are laying down wooden strips taken from Biddeford’s mills to add industrial flair. 

Complementing the historic wood are large metal sheets from Biddeford’s mills, laid over certain areas of the store as a nod to both cities’ histories as manufacturing centers.

“You drive into the Old Port on Commercial Street, and that is just such an iconic building. You get the vibe of old Portland, the Industrial Revolution, American industry and something old-fashioned, which we love,” Suger said. “We’re weaving part of that history into the store as well.” 

Also featured are a number of the E. Swasey and Co. products, acting as decor, and a number of other old-time mill items — like molds, cranks and gears — to be used as pieces to display jewelry and accessories.

The new Portland location will feature much of what Biddeford’s has showcased for years: Angelrox’s comfy-chic women’s clothing — although, Schlaver said, a men’s line isn’t too far off the beaten path.

“The men’s stuff is in development right now,” Schlaver said. “We’ve been working with other artists, mostly, and makers to develop some non-clothing items we’re going to produce this year. Then I think, again, this store is going to really help us showcase some of those new products.”

Among those products are dry colognes, rubbed onto the wrist, shaving creams and other trinkets. Clothing for men is still in the works, Schlaver said, while the designers finalize fabrics, designs and styles.

And although the power business couple is setting its eyes on Portland, it certainly isn’t losing sight on its home base of Biddeford.

“Biddeford is wonderful, and we are just grateful for the amazing local support,” Suger said. “It’s just unbelievable the sweetness that we’ve received and the support that Suger and Biddeford enjoys.”

Schlaver agreed, although he said it’s nice to be in creative control, once again designing both a new store and a new beginning.

“It’s all exciting,” he said. “You don’t get to do the creative work every second of every day, but when you get a project like this, all your creative energy is focused on it.”

Both Suger and Schlaver said they are anticipating a May opening for the new Suger retail store, located at 271 Commercial St., Portland. A firm date, however has not been set, as the two continue working on the new space.

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or abennett@Journaltribune.com.

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