Store of the Week

Yesterday I checked out a few recently-opened stores in downtown San Francisco. I was expecting to see some vacant spaces as more retailers fall victim to the slowdown in consumer spending, and there were certainly a few around, including the Gap store at Post & Kearney and Ann Taylor on Post Street. The Crocker Galleria has always had a few empty spaces, and looked like it had recently lost the Malm luggage store.

But it was great to see several new stores around Union Square. Here's a few to check out next time you're in the area:

ILORI at 238 Post St for sunglasses - they had an extensive range from the top designers.

7 for all mankind for limited edition jeans and more at 224 Grant.

Tory Burch has been open a few months at 50 Maiden Lane.

But the Store of the Week award goes to Paul Smith at Grant & Geary. This is the kind of store that will get you excited about retailing. The product is innovative, fun and cutting edge, and the presentation is inspiring. I found a review of store and an interview with Smith here.

First look at Banana Republic Edition

Banana Republic released a preview of what their new Edition accessories store will look like when it opens in Westfield San Francisco Center on May 15th.


According to the blurb, the inspiration for the store design was drawn from Madge's NYC apartment:

"The store is a very small space to make it feel very residential and intimate. We want the product to feel accessible and not museum-like. There is a "boulevard" of jewelry that you can touch and feel. The actual design inspiration for the boulevard was a picture of Madonna's NYC apartment which has a beautiful arched ceiling."

As for the product:

"75% of the store will be jewelry and handbags. 40% of the jewelry and hand bags will be limited edition with 100 or less pieces in the world!Our new initials jewelry collection is amazing and only available at Edition by Banana Republic. We also have a limited edition Indian Summer collection that uses semi-precious stones, such as green onyx and smoky quarts.As for handbags we have a wide collection, but the hand woven handbags with a geometric pattern are my personal favorite."

BR Insiders will get an invite to a pre-opening event on May 14th.