Sample Sale Goes Permanent

Did you make it to the recent Annie Havlicek sample sale at 154 Orchard Street? No? Don’t worry, Annie has decided to move into the space permanently. The shop will open May 15th, and will offer Digby & Iona jewelry, Osborn Shoes, and her feminine, springtime designs. The most recent collection was influenced by the paintings of Renoir. The photograph on the right is just one of the styles, but visit The Cut to see the full slideshow.

Another recent temp to perm store is Kai D at 75 Orchard Street. Besen Retail leased the space to the designer after he used it for a pop-up shop.

-Caitlin

Update from Lola Berry

If you are a follower of “Blogging with Besen Retail,” you probably remember our post about Besen Retail on Australian television. If not, check it out here. Lola Berry recently emailed me with a teaser for her upcoming New York series. Although she visits eateries all through out Manhattan and Brooklyn, our favorite is Babycakes (not just because we were there!) a vegan bakery near featured space 75 Orchard Street.  

Take a look at the teaser for the NYC series:

-Caitlin

Eating from the Orchard

Diners at Little Giant

Featured space 75 Orchard Street might be on the best block in the city. Not only are the nearby boutiques some of the top Indie shops in NYC, but there are also plenty of delicious places to eat too. After all of that shopping at Wendy Mink Jewelry, The Dressing Room, Robert James, and Still Life, you are going to be hungry.

The Little Giant at 85 Orchard Street serves “refined comfort food,” such as the juicy organic burger on a potato bun. While anytime is a good time to hit the Little Giant, brunch has the most happening social scene. Just down the road is An Choi, a Vietnamese eatery with a takeout counter and a beautifully and minimally decorated garden cafe. A highly recommended dish is the pork banh mi sandwich, as well as the crispy pork and crab rolls appetizer.Have a craving for Caribbean? Enjoy the jerk wings at Spur Tree, where you can jam to reggae music on Thursdays and Saturdays, or enjoy the ambiance of the peaceful garden while sipping on a Soju-based cocktail.

For those of you that are like me and need to be thoroughly caffeinated, stop off at a city favorite, the Roasting Plant. Roasting 11 different varieties of coffee beans on site everyday, the cafe offers visitors the ability to customize their own cup. If you are sitting in the store to enjoy your coffee, they will serve it in a clear “Bodum” glassware, which is designed to maintain heat through insulation. Each of these scrumptious destinations are located within steps of each other, so come hungry!

-Caitlin

Bodum insulated glassware at the Roasting Plant

Best Indie Shops: Lower East Side

Wendy Mink Jewelry

Independent stores are by far the coolest place to shop in New York City for the newest trends. Luckily Time Out New York has done the work for us, by publishing a list of the best indie shops. I am proud to announce that two of the hottest Lower East Side indie shops are directly across from our space for lease, 75 Orchard Street.

Looking for stand out accessories like chunky necklaces and dainty earings? Take a look at Wendy Mink Jewelry. Mink and her Tibetan team make each piece by hand (as seen above). Most of their work is East Asia-inspired and ranges from $30-$650. Good news for those of us that are looking for lower prices, her “Cheap Chic” line features jewelry under $100, including crochet circle pendants for $28 and freshwater champagne pearl charm bracelets for $48.

For some of the best menswear in town, head to Robert James, another indie shop on the list. With a rustic and vintagey feel, the shop is filled with James’ pieces, but also a few other select designers. Robert James himself can be found at his shop seven days a week, available to answer any of your fashion questions. Items include outerwear, hand-sewn woven shirts, graphic tees, and vintage accessories. More good news for those on a budget, there’s a sale rack with $20 tees and $40 woven shirts!

While you are shopping, take a look at a beautiful space for lease, 75 Orchard Street. Call 343-472-8742 for leasing information.

-Caitlin

Art and Alcohol: The Newest Retail Combo

Gallery Bar, Photo Courtesy of New York Post

I’ve told you all about clothing shops that double as bars, but I’d like to move the spotlight to another unlikely combination, the art gallery and bar combo. The Lower East Side’s Gallery Bar is at 120 Orchard Street just down the road from featured space for lease, 75 Orchard Street. The New York Post reports that Josh Boyd, owner of the Gallery Bar, says the relationship between artists and bar owners is mutually beneficial, especially in the tough economy. Each month the gallery hosts a new artist, bringing in new crowds.

While much of the art can be pricey, the most expensive piece, a painting by Kevin Berlin,  selling for $28,000, artist Antony Zito sold many for between $40-$100. He created portraits of Gallery Bar visitors, showing their likenesses to “found objects.”

Another bar/gallery located just a few blocks away on Second Avenue, Fuse Gallery, opened its bar portion, the Lit Lounge, but not for the ambiance, but to pay for the rent.

“Thank God there’s 5,000 hipsters a month that’ll buy a couple drinks to keep us going,” says Owner Eric Foss. He also noted that sometimes the gallery breaks even, but most of the time it loses money.

Want to support local art but don’t have the cash to pay for it? Order a beer at one of these cool Lower East Side art destinations.

-Caitlin

Space Spotlight: 75 Orchard Street

Located in one of Manhattan’s hot spots, 75 Orchard Street in the Lower East Side is available for lease. With a 250 square foot upstairs and a 300 SF basement, this property is neighbored by chic shops like Still Life (a hat store), Wendy Mink Jewelry, H Optics, and Robert James. Also situated on the block is the popular coffee shop, The Roasting Plant.

Looking for a globally conscious neighborhood? Mooshoes, a cruelty-free, animal-approved shoe store sits just across the street, and Kaight, a seller of Tom’s shoes is right next door. By purchasing a pair of Tom’s Shoes, they vow to give a pair to a child in need.

When visiting the space today, we noticed another traffic-bringer, The Tenement Museum, which focuses on America’s urban immigrant history. The museum overflowed with people, and it was only a Wednesday afternoon. A sweeter nearby attraction is the vegan bakery, Babycakes, which has been featured in publications and television programs such as Vanity Fair, Nylon, Oprah, Time Out, and Lola Berry’s Australian health show.

On the left side of the space is a unique concept, The Dressing Room. Not only is this boutique selling items from up-and-coming designers, but it is also a cocktail bar and a clothing exchange. Voted “Best Lower East Side Shop” in 2007, it hosts live DJ events, offers free internet, and even shows movies on a large screen projector.

The dimensions of the shop for lease are 10 ft by 25 ft, and will be available for a lucky tenant to move in within the next couple months. For leasing information, please call 646-472-8742.

-Caitlin