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A Millburn-based clothing designer has plans to open a new location in Asbury Park.

Nita Novy, owner of “Nita Ideas” has signed a lease with building owner Patrick Fasano to occupy the old “Bizzare Bazaar” space located at the corner of Cookman and Mattison avenues [shown above], she confirmed with the Sun. Novy would not comment on how long the lease terms are for. She is looking to start setting up shop in Asbury by the spring.

“She’s not a startup,” said Fasano, “She’s a legit, known designer.”

Novy has been in the clothing design business for 24 years, she said.

Nita Ideas offers “original, one-of-a-kind, in-house, designer collection of formal wear, career suiting and sportswear” designed by Novy herself, at her Millburn location, according to the Nita Ideas website.

The Millburn location specializes in formal attire, but the “strong, boho-beach babe” in Novy is sure to surface at the new location, given the locale, she said.

Her original handmade sportswear, daywear, shoes and accessories collections will be sold at the Asbury Park location, where she also plans to debut her “home at heart” collection of handmade duvet covers, shams, quilts and pillows.

If she does continue to couture, it will be by appointment only, she said.

Novy has owned a home in Ocean Grove for four years and has kept an eye on Asbury Park for over 10. She has a big base of clientele throughout the Northern metropolitan area and is looking to attract those clients into coming down to the Asbury area, she said.

“We feel committed to getting more businesses grounded there and to hopefully bring some of our clientele down,” she said. “We’re going to give it a good try.”

All of the clothing is designed by Novy and made in-store or by private contractors, all within the United States, according to Novy.

“There’s no off-shore here,” she said. “There’s no question that the value of the garment exceeds the price.”

Her dramatic designs are a testament to her former career as a Broadway actress, where she starred in the role of “Rizzo” in Grease and “Sunshine” in Harold and Maude and also played roles in The Sound of Music and Gypsy.

In 1989, Novy left Broadway for a career in clothing design and proved herself after selling six hats to Barney Pressman’s wife at their New York Barney’s location and moving on to sell hats to other high-end designers like Henri Bendel and Fred Segal.

“This is act 3 for Nita Ideas,” she said. “Act one was hats and children’s wear in Milford, Pa., act two is the Nita Ideas store in Millburn, and act three is the beach and beyond.”

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