Irish fashion giant Primark celebrated the opening of its second Queens location at the 90-15 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst, NY 11373 on Thursday morning with a lively event.
The new store spans 37,000 square feet over two levels and is located at 90-15 Queens Blvd. This opening brings Primark’s total in New York State to 10 stores and five in New York City, including locations in Brooklyn, Jamaica, and Staten Island.
More than 800 people gathered at Queens Center for the grand opening, which featured fun activities like a DJ set, complimentary Primark tote bags, cookies from Vin’s Bakery, and a spin-the-wheel game with prizes such as gift cards, beanies, and sunglasses.
Primark, one of the most prevalent clothing stores
Primark now operates over 450 stores across 17 countries, including 28 locations in 11 U.S. states. The retailer is known for its budget-friendly prices and wide variety of products, from everyday basics to trendy fashion, beauty items, homeware, and accessories.
In recent years, it has also gained attention for exclusive collaborations with popular brands like Disney, Hello Kitty, the NBA, the NFL, and several well-known music groups, offering unique merchandise at affordable prices.
Primark: Ireland, North America, and the whole world
Primark was founded in Ireland in 1969 under the name Penneys. The company made its U.S. debut in Boston in 2016 and expanded to New York the following year, opening stores in Brooklyn’s King’s Plaza Mall and the Staten Island Mall. Its first Queens location opened on Jamaica Avenue in late 2022.
At Thursday’s grand opening, Kevin Tulip, president of Primark US, shared that the company had long been interested in opening a store at Queens Center. Tulip explained that Primark focuses exclusively on in-store shopping —without an e-commerce platform— and strategically chooses locations with strong foot traffic and nearby popular retailers.
Tulip also highlighted that Primark customizes each store to meet the needs of the local community while offering global favorites. The Elmhurst location will feature items that have proven popular at Primark’s first Queens store on Jamaica Avenue.
Why is Primark so popular?
Primark offers a variety of affordable clothing, with t-shirts starting at $4 and denim priced from $10. All the clothing sold at Primark is produced by the company itself, including pieces created in collaboration with other brands.
Before the store’s grand opening on Thursday, Primark teamed up with Queens Community House (QCH), a local non-profit that helps teens with career preparation, academic support, hands-on work experience, and leadership training. On Wednesday, the retailer hosted 100 teens from QCH’s programs for an exclusive shopping event. The teens received gift cards and had the chance to shop the store’s selection before it officially opened to the public.
The grand opening celebrations continued throughout the weekend. On Friday, shoppers were able to enjoy free popcorn from Hal’s New York.On Saturday, Primark hosted a meet-and-greet with Chase and Skye from Paw Patrol to celebrate its exclusive Paw Patrol collection, which will also be available for purchase.
Primark’s arrival in Elmhurst was met with excitement from the community. On Thursday, eager shoppers lined up well before the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. to welcome the retailer to the neighborhood.
What’s next for Primark?
Tulip announced that Primark is continuing to grow its presence in New York and has recently signed a lease for a store in Herald Square, which will be the brand’s first Manhattan location. He mentioned that this new store, set to open in early 2026, will serve as a flagship for the multinational retailer.
The new Elmhurst Primark location is open every day of the week. From Monday to Wednesday, as well as Friday and Saturday, the store operates from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Thursdays, it’s open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sundays, the hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
link