Spanx, the Atlanta-based giant whose name has become synonymous with shapewear, will open its first standalone stores in October, according to WWD.Two of the three planned locations will be in the Tri-State Area – one in New Jersey's Garden State Plaza and the other in Montgomery County's King of Prussia Mall, a spokeswoman told the outlet. The other store will be located at Tysons Corner Center in Virginia.The shops will reportedly sling the shapewear that made the brand a household name, along with a newly-launched menswear line and slimming swimwear and activewear for women.The company, which makes an estimated revenue of $225 to $240 million each year, currently sells its products in department stores, boutiques and on its website.The brand was founded by 41-year-old Sara Blakely, because she didn't "like the way my butt looked in white pants," according to WWD.Blakely is now Forbes' youngest self-made billionaire, appearing on the cover of their billionaires issue this year. She reportedly built the company with $5,000 in life savings and a great deal of her own sweat equity, crisscrossing the country for product demonstrations and even fielding her own customer service calls. She does not advertise and had no investors.
