Now Open: Pandora Herald Square

Congratulations to Adam Gindi of Diamonds & Dials, who just opened a new Pandora concept store in Herald Square. It's a gorgeous new addition to this block just south of 34th Street on Broadway, next door to Gap Herald Square.

Adam is one of the last independent owner/operators on 34th Street. He recently closed Diamonds & Dials Herald Square, but is still entrenched in the 34th Street district with Diamonds & Dials Greeley Square and this new Pandora store. I highly recommend visiting Adam in one of his locations (they are practically in shouting distance from each other), as his ebullient personality and flawless customer service will keep you coming back for more.

Updated to add: We visited Adam Gindi today in Pandora, and the boutique is looking great!

Pandora Herald Square
Now open at 1284 Broadway just south of 34th Street

Pandora Flagship Coming to 34th Street District

We are happy to announce that Adam Gindi of Diamonds & Dials is soon opening a Pandora flagship just south of 34th Street at 1284 Broadway. Projected opening is early July.

Rendering of future Pandora flagship on Broadway.

Under construction in early May.

Adam, proprietor of one of 34th Street's last remaining family-owned and operated small businesses, has long had a successful relationship with the charm powerhouse, and is thrilled to be opening a new Manhattan flagship store. We salute Mr. Gindi and his history on 34th Street, and toast his current and future endeavors with both Diamonds & Dials Greeley Square and Pandora.


Pandora 
Opening soon at 1284 Broadway just south of 34th Street

Zumiez: Now Open on 34th Street

Looks great, right? Zumiez recently opened their 34th Street store in the old Aeropostale space at 15 West 34th Street, and it's a good-looking addition to the north side of 34th Street.

Visit for your skate/snow/surf needs. This is Manhattan's second Zumiez outpost (first is at 840 Broadway in the Village). Inside you'll find Married to the Mob, Crooks & Castles, Vans, Nixon and G-Shock watches, a skateboard section, and a lot more.

Summer Vans

Zumiez
15 West 34th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues

Urban Outfitters Herald Square: Almost Open!

The big Urban Outfitters Herald Square opening day is Saturday, June 7th, and we can't wait.

Looking towards Urban from Herald Square at 35th and Broadway.

Yes, this is their biggest store ever, and will be home to Intelligentsia Coffee, without walls (buying this entire page), West Coast independent music store Amoeba Music, Three Potato Four, Tortoise & Blonde, and LA's Hairroin Salon.

35th Street entrance and Hairroin salon locale.

This is a huge addition to the retail scene in the 34th Street District, and we couldn't be happier they are moving in. Welcome, Urban Outfitters, to one of New York City's busiest retail corridors!

Urban Outfitters Herald Square

Opening Saturday, June 7th 

1333 Broadway at 35th Street

Can't Wait

We're going to have to be patient, but the sign in the window helps.

Urban Outfitters

Coming to 1333 Broadway at 35th Street

Hour Passion Opening Soon on 34th Street

Just a little update on the Swatch boutique that's coming to the old Billabong space on 34th Street:

Hour Passion opening soon! And check out all the brands that will be coming to this multi-brand concept boutique: 

Hour Passion

Coming soon to 112 West 34th Street just west of Broadway

Breaking News: Swatch to take Billabong Space

According to a story in Crains New York today, Swatch is taking over the Billabong space at 112 West 34th Street. 

The Crain's story also claims 34th Street now joins "... Fifth Avenue, Times Square, Madison Avenue, and most recently, SoHo, in the $1,000-a-square-foot-and-up club." We are honored, indeed. Also, this is the second story in a week I've read about the "retail renaissance" of Herald Square. We're practically trending.

Back to Swatch: rumor has it we'll be shopping 112 W. 34th not just for Swatch's iconic plastic watches, but also for the company's other brands like Tissot and Longines. I could definitely see that happening on the second level of the 1,800 square foot store.

As an early adopter of the classic black Swatch watch, I'd like to say Welcome, Swatch, to 34th Street! 

Swatch

Coming soon to 112 West 34th Street, just west of Broadway

Adorable Addition: ruby and jenna

In what used to be a T-shirt store (not exactly missed by me) is now an adorable pop-up full of affordable and charming clothing, and a very strong showing of accessories, from ruby and jenna. We can only hope that ruby and jenna will stay on, but while they are on 34th Street (well, just south of 34th Street), let's make them feel at home with a lot of shopping. That is what we do best on 34th Street.

ruby and jenna
1282 Broadway just south of 34th Street

Breaking News: Vince Camuto on 34th Street

Lois Weiss of the New York Post reports in her "Between the Bricks" column that Vince Camuto signed a lease at 30 West 34th Street. This new 1,837 square foot store will go into a currently empty space that once housed a souvenir store.

New Vince Camuto store in SoHo, photo from Racked.

Needless to say, this is great news for the south side of 34th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. The Vince Camuto store will sit between Timberland and Orva Shoes. And the old guard of souvenir stores and the like are now almost completely gone from that end of 34th Street.


Vince Camuto lease signed at 30 West 34th Street

There's a New Payless on 34th Street

This picture is showing so much 34th Street Partnership, I want to do a "Find our streetscape" game.

Say adieu to the Payless on Eighth Avenue and 34th Street. But you won't be missing it as we've got a brand new shiny Payless down the street from the old locale. It's right next to Joe Fresh and the new DSW Shoe Warehouse. I'm henceforth calling this block of 34th Street between Seventh and Eighth the "West End."

Also there's 34th Street between Eighth and Tenth Avenue. I will call this the "New Frontier." Confusing, yes? Well, I'm no marketing major. Everyone's scared to move to the new frontier because it's far away, very "Westward, ho!" Most likely the retail migration is inevitable. Kudos to Swarovski, DSW, and Joe Fresh for starting the trend in the West End. The West End is getting hot...

...see, Party City! It's opening right next to Payless. Don't pretend like you're not excited, because there is a holiday coming up and where the heck else will you be getting bunny costumes for under $50?

Really scary, and really cute. I can't wait.



Payless 213 W. 34th Street
Party City coming soon next door 

Timberland Opening on 34th Street

Here's the Timberland store last week during one of the multiple rain storms that seemed to occur just as I stepped outside the dry environs of our office building:

The store was wrapping up construction for its opening tomorrow, Friday, May 27th. Note also the new little restaurant to the left of Timberland that quietly opened a few weeks ago: Hole in da Wall Fine Food. I have not yet reviewed this fine dining establishment, but Friday when I visit the new Timberland store, I will reveal how fine the food is in Hole in da Wall. 

But back to our exciting new 34th Street store. Here are Timberland details: a 4,400 sq. foot space (built with lots of recycled materials including reclaimed wood and recycled stoneware) stocked with outdoor apparel, accessories and footwear for men, women and kids including the Earthkeepers, Timberland Boot Company, and Abington collections. Even better, Timberland is designing New York-inspired footwear and t-shirts exclusively for the Herald Square store. Ahh, they are playing right into my greedy Herald Square hands! Bless the Timberland, and welcome them to 34th Street.

Timberland opening Friday at 28 W. 34th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues

Mango Coming to 34th Street!!

Mango, the Spanish retailer currently featuring ScarJo as their spokesmodel, is coming to 34th Street. As of May 1st, Mango will be taking over from Lane Bryant at 7 West 34th Street. That's 5,500 sf of Mango. With Uniqlo opening down the street in the fall, this block of 34th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues is feeling pretty fabulous. The two international retailers will be joining Victoria's Secret, H&M, Levis (coming soon), Steve Madden, Zara, Geox, Esprit, Dr. Jay's, Banana Republic, House of Hoops, Aeropostale, Bebe, and Desigual on the north side. On the south side, Timberland will soon be joining stores like Strawberry, WHO.A.U, Forever 21, Bare Escentuals, and Gap. Welcome, Mango!

Go here to enter to win a $50 JCPenney gift certificate

Mango soon to be taking over at 7 West 34th Street

Welcome, Makeup People!

Enough with holidays and the egg nog, here's some real retail news for 34th Street: Bare Escentuals is opening a second NYC store this spring at 44 W. 34th between 5th & 6th. No, this is not the old Kira Plastinina space, that bankrupt bastion of pink is down the block. This one's next to Forever 21 and right down from Gap. And it will be one of the biggest Bare Escentual boutiques in the country.

Do you all use/love Bare Escentuals? I've tested their mineral makeup and was pleased with the results. But I've never visited one of their boutiques so I'm curiously anticipating the opening. Welcome, Bare Escentuals, to 34th Street, and thanks to Crain's New York Business for their breaking retail news and excellent quotage:

"The lineup of retail on that strip is terrific," said Mark Finkelstein, the Retail Strategies president who represented the beauty outfit. "The combination of New Yorkers and tourists there gives [Bare Escentuals] exposure to a broad range of customers."

Dang straight. And hopefully by the end of '09 and into 2010 that strip of 34th Street will get even better. You regulars know what I'm talking about.


Bare Escentuals, expected to open spring 2009 on 44 W. 34th btwn 5th & 6th Aves.