John Mayer Rocks MSG

Before you say, “HEY! Wait a minute! This post has nothing to do with retail, real estate or NYC neighborhoods!” Just relax, I’m not cheating you of your news. In fact, it’s very important to see that I was at the John Mayer concert last night at Madison Square Garden. For one, it shows that Midtown is in fact a fabulous place to open a store or restaurant. Think about how  much foot traffic there is! AND celebrity foot traffic!

Also, maybe John Mayer wants to open a store sometime soon. Sure, he’s already very busy touring the world, but maybe one day he wants to open a music store or something and he finds this article. He would probably think, “Wow! Besen Retail not only has great properties for lease, but that Caitlin is also a fan of mine!” Then he will probably call me, and who knows what could happen. So don’t worry, this is completely work related.

John Mayer concert at Madison Square Garden

-Caitlin

Besen Retail Line of the Week! 2/26/10

Retail Specialist Evan Silver is a bit more pampered than the rest of us here in Besen Retail. He’s living the high life, with his weekend trips to London and business class flights to his home in LA. Executive Director Matt Mager commented on his glamorous lifestyle, saying,

“You can take the boy out of Beverly Hills, but you can’t take Beverly Hills out of the boy.”

Evan then explained that he was born in New York, grew up in Huntington Beach, and now his parents live in Los Angeles. NOT Beverly Hills.

-Caitlin

H&M Launches Sustainable Line

(picture via WWD)

While you may only have heard about the Sonia Rykiel line for H&M, a new “fully sustainable” line will launch on March 25th. The Garden Collection, which consists of organic cotton and linen, recycled polyester, and Tencel will be the clothing superstore’s first ever completely eco-friendly line.

The Garden Collection is flowy and feminine, and is inspired by spring flowers and 1970′s designs like smock dresses and embroidered jackets. Unlike many other sustainable clothing lines, H&M’s 80 Garden pieces are no more expensive than their other reasonably priced clothing. H&M also promises that this line is completely sustainable, unlike their last “organic cotton” line that used 30 percent genetically modified cotton.

-Caitlin

Walking to work…

While some aren’t brave enough to step into the NYC tundra today, I bundled up and trudged through the ice, snow, and slush to get to Besen Retail today. I went to school in Syracuse, so inclement weather was part of my routine for four years. This is nothing! Despite getting covered in a brown icy sludge by a passing truck, I made it safely and even snapped a couple pictures on the way.

-Caitlin

Lexington Avenue near 30th Street

 

Lexington Avenue, just a block away from the office

Chow down at the Chelsea Market Food Tour

Amy's Breads, just one stop in the Chelsea Market Food Tour

Looking for a fun way to satisfy your appetite and try something new this weekend? Join a Chelsea Market Food Tour! Whether you live in New York, or you are just visiting, Chelsea Market believes the tour is a way to “discover the REAL New York.” Since 1999, the Market has provided a “non-touristy experience” to try specialty food shops from the historic neighborhood.

The tour includes 7 tastings, and one tasting in a seated restaurant, including Amy’s Breads, Ronny Brook Milk Bar, Sarabeth’s Bakery, Lobster Place, Buon Italia, Chelsea Market Baskets, Elini’s, and Marcelleria.

Worried about the weather? Tours take place rain or shine (or blizzard) and last for over an hour every Thursday through Sunday. Click here for a full schedule and availability. Just make sure to dress comfortably and meet near 9th ave and 15th Street. Tickets will run you $44 a person, but is worth the experience! After your tour, stop by space for lease 88 7th Ave, the ideal location for your restaurant.

-Caitlin

Four Dishes I Refuse to Eat

I consider myself to be an open person when trying new foods. I love a sushi menu filled with octopus and squid; I enjoy tofu and tempeh, and I’ll gladly scarf down any vegetable. Sometimes menus go a little too far or me, and I have discovered four dishes found in the city that I promise you I will never order.

1.

The Restaurant: Toloache, 251 W 50th Street, Manhattan

The Dish: Chapulines, $11

The Description: Oaxacan-style dried grasshoppers with onions and jalapenos.

Why not? Grasshoppers are much too “hoppy” for my liking.

2.

The Restaurant: Henry’s End, 44 Henry Street, Brooklyn

The Dish: BBQ Rattlesnake Salad, $15.95

The Description: Part of the “Wild Game Festival” menu, rattlesnake meat is barbecued and tossed in a salad

Why Not? I don’t think I should eat something that once rattled.

3.

The Restaurant: Casa Mono, 52 Irving Place, Manhattan

The Dish: Cock’s Combs with Crepes

The Description: You know that red, rubbery piece on top of a rooster’s head? Yes, that’s what they serve you.

Why not? While I enjoy Mario Battali from time to time, this creation should be left alone.

4 .

The Restaurant: Ferdinando’s, 151 Union Street, Brooklyn

The Dish: The Vastedda

The Description: A traditional Sicilian calf spleen sandwich served on foccacia bread

Why not? Hearing the word “spleen” is gross enough for me

-Caitlin

Burberry Spreads to UWS

London-based company Burberry has plans to open a 3,000 square foot store on the Upper West Side, according to WWD. Like the new Sephora shop, Burberry is also moving to Columbus, at 160 Columbus Avenue, but is closer to the Lincoln Center at 67th Street. While we don’t know what type of Burberry shop the space will house, it could carry the Prosum, Brit, London lines, or a combination. The UWS is a popular destination for brands to expand right now, with a new Apple store, as well as an Uggs shop nearby. Executive Director of Besen Retail Matt Mager will most likely hold a celebration in honor of the new store, as it is one of his favorite clothing brands.

-Caitlin

Sephora Expands to Columbus

(picture via Racked)

If the addition of a Whole Foods, a TJ Maxx and a Michael’s at 808 Columbus weren’t enough for you, watch out for Sephora. The development at Columbus and 100th Street  provides an all day shopping trip for bargain hunters, fashion lovers, and organic food enthusiasts, and will soon be an even more coveted area with a brand new Sephora store moving in. Racked’s report didn’t include the date of opening, but provides makeup-anxious shoppers with a photograph of the new store. After you visit the Upper West Side shopping center, make sure to stop by space for lease 2626 Broadway, the old Metro Theater.

-Caitlin

A Clubhouse Cafe Celebration

Appetizers at the Clubhouse Cafe

To celebrate Evan Silver’s first deal (or two deals now!), Matt Mager, Elliott Dweck, Evan, and I went out for lunch at a restaurant of Evan’s choice. He chose the Clubhouse Cafe on 46th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. I had never been to a Kosher restaurant before, but I went in with an open mind, as Evan reassured me that there were vegetarian options. We filled our table with appetizers, duck empanadas, chicken wings, and chunky guacamole.

I ordered a grilled vegetable and portobello sandwich, while Matt got lamb sliders, and Elliott and Evan munched on their BBQ veal sandwiches. Despite the fact that the waitress brought me a chicken sandwich, which I brought to my lips and almost took a bite, I was impressed with the food and the comfortable atmosphere. While Evan loves the food, he advises not to bring a date. “It’s too loud and crowded,” he said.

While I probably won’t become a regular at the Clubhouse, I’m liking that I get to learn about the Jewish world through food! Click on the menu here  to view more choices.

-Caitlin

ANOTHER Ace Hotel Update!

Clearly I’m obsessed with the Ace Hotel and all it has to offer. I told you about the No. 7 Sub shop that will make its debut on March 1st, and Time Out New York just released the menu, along with pictures of sandwich options. The menu includes (but is not limited to) fried tofu, braised lamb, imitation lobster roll, and turkey cubano. While the combinations are unique, like ham served with pineapple, maraschino cherries, and potato salad, they are not vegetarian friendly. Non-vegans can enjoy the “hot and sour egg salad,” with “bamboo shoots, wonton crackers and gloop.” Does anyone know what gloop is?  Please let me know. Eaters will also have the chance to enjoy house made sodas, Route 11 Potato Chips, and half moon cookies. A sandwich will run you about $9.

-Caitlin