THE JEWEL OF WALL STREET

New York’s most New York department store isn’t a department store

I recently had an opportunity to stop by the new outpost of France’s legendary Printemps in downtown Manhattan

Perched just off of Wall Street, it’s an unconventional location delivering an unconventional experience

With two floors of high-fashion pieces, four places to eat, one champagne bar, and one of the most decadent interiors in a retail space, it’s giving I-want-to-hang-out-here vibes

It’s Barneys New York when Barneys was the coolest place in New York to shop, see, and be seen

There is a stylish crowd here that would have made André Leon Talley proud, something rare in this corner of the city

Even more so, it’s low tech

No QR scanners in-store to help me learn more information about a Jacquemus jacket, virtual try-on tools in the fitting rooms, or digital find-my-skincare quizzes in the Salle de Bain

It’s lovely

You won’t event want to look at your own screen because of the stimulating environment

Most interesting of all is the edit

You won’t find a full collection of any designers product here

But rather a collection of pieces across designers, a highly edited curation of fashion pieces, footwear, and accessories

That’s why it’s not a department store by any definition

It’s a boutique with a luxury experience

Yes there have been retail curators before- Opening Ceremony, Scoop, Intermix- who have faded or died due to competition and cash flow problems

Very few, like the Webster and Dover Street, have thrived

But Printemps is a breath of fresh air in an era where few stores offer a memorable combination of service, product, and environment

It’s a beacon that physical retail can and should be an emotional, human experience

Did I buy anything?

That’s a secret between me and my tiny jam-packed New York City closet

That’s all for today

I’m rooting for you!

Chad