True Religion on Robertson

That's where the L.A.-based premium jeans maker will be opening a retail outlet, one of 11 planned by the end of 2007. Set to open at the end of the year are stores in New York's SoHo district and on South Beach in South Florida. North Robertson, of course, has become a paradise for hip boutiques, among them Kitson, Madison and Lisa Kline. The foray into retail is one of several moves to expand the True Religion name - and expand beyond jeans. A licensing program involving non-denim items like handbags, shoes and sunglasses is also under way. About a month ago, True Religion hired Goldman Sachs to review strategic options, which is usually Wall Street-speak for trying to broker a sale. As noted in a WSJ story this morning (not available online for some reason), the speculation ranges from taking the company private to initiating a stock buyback plan. Shares in the company are up modestly this morning.