Apparel retailer J. Crew Group (JCG: chart) with 156 retail stores nationwide, filed for an initial public offering on Wednesday evening. The company is hoping to raise up to $200 million, according to its regulatory filing.

The shares of common stock to be sold are expected to be offered by the company. J. Crew is going to sale $73.5 million of its shares to Texas Pacific Group, its majority shareholder.

The company offers complete collections of high quality women’s and men’s apparel and accessories that include wedding and special occasion attire, business attire, weekend clothes, swimwear, loungewear, outerwear, shoes, bags, belts and jewelry.

J. Crew conducts its business through two primary sales channels: stores channel, which consists of retail and factory stores, and direct channel, which consists of a catalog and an Internet website.

As of August 15, 2005, J. Crew operated 156 retail stores throughout the United States. The company’s retail stores are located in upscale regional malls, lifestyle centers, shopping centers and street locations.

As of August 15, 2005, the retailer operated 43 factory stores throughout the United States. The company’s factory stores are located primarily in large factory-outlet malls.

In its filing, J. Crew says it expects to expand its store base by seven stores in 2005, by 15-25 stores in 2006 and after that, by 25-35 stores every year.

J. Crew had approximately $869 million in revenue in the twelve months ended April 2005. Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2005 increased by $64.8 million, or 44.5%, to $210.5 million from the same period in 2004.

Goldman Sachs and Bear Stearns will be the lead underwriters on the deal.

The company has filed to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange.