Whether it’s a new store opening or a renovation to an existing flagship, there’s always news to report in the world of retail. In this list of 7 store openings, California has become a focal point: From Graff’s and Balenciaga’s grand debut store at the South Coast Plaza to Beyond Yoga’s first Northern California presence in Walnut Creek, the Golden State is welcoming new developments.
On the opposite coast, Paul Stuart strategically plans the opening of its relocated Chicago store from Oak St to Michigan Ave, a move aimed at amplifying foot traffic. Spanx is in the midst of its pop-up journey, having recently concluded its New York event and now gearing up for Washington DC and Miami.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Sephora’s iconic Parisian flagship experiences a remarkable transformation that perfectly preserves the timeless stone architecture of Paris. Let’s take a closer look at each new store.
Photo courtesy: Graff
1. Graff Makes California Debut with Its First Stand-Alone Store
Located adjacent to luxury brands like Harry Winston and Prada, Graff’s new 1,800-square-foot store can be found at South Coast Plaza, the premier luxury shopping destination in Costa Mesa, located 50 miles south of Los Angeles.
“We’ve patiently awaited the perfect location,” remarked Marc Hruschka, the President and CEO of Graff USA, in an interview with WWD. To celebrate the store’s grand opening, Graff showcased a unique diamond necklace featuring 1,000 carats of white diamonds surrounding a rare 50-carat F oval diamond. With Rodeo Drive next on its bucket list of new store locations, the company plans for an additional 6 stores worldwide within 18 months.
Photo courtesy: Balenciaga
2. Balenciaga Opens in Costa Mesa, California
Balenciaga is making waves in California with its recent addition of a women’s wear store on Rodeo Drive, steps away from their existing men’s wear boutique on this iconic street.
The brand has a brand new presence in the South Coast Plaza with a 9,500-square-foot, two-story store offering a wide range of products, including men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, shoes, bags, accessories, and jewelry.
The store’s design adheres to Balenciaga’s characteristic style of raw, minimalist architecture. On December 2nd, the brand is set to host its runway show, showcasing the Fall 2024 collection in Los Angeles; however, the exact location remains undisclosed to the public.
Photo courtesy: Beyond Yoga
3. Beyond Yoga Opens its First Northern California Store
Adding to the list of California store openings is Beyond Yoga in Walnut Creek, marking its fifth brick-and-mortar with a sixth coming to Chicago next month. This Los Angeles-based activewear brand has secured a 2,200-square-foot space at the Broadway Plaza shopping center. It’s been 18 years since Michelle Wahler founded the brand, and slightly over a year since Beyond Yoga celebrated the opening of its inaugural store in Santa Monica.
Photo courtesy: Paul Stuart
4. Paul Stuart Announces Move: Relocating Chicago Store to Michigan Avenue
Paul Stuart, the upscale men’s retailer, is set to close its Oak Street location upon the grand opening of its new Michigan Avenue store in 2024, with the goal of attracting a fresh wave of shoppers. The two-story retail store will be 5,250 square feet and plans to open in the first quarter of the upcoming year. Located alongside brands such as Ralph Lauren, RL Restaurant, Bottega Veneta, and Canada Goose, the new store at 822 North Michigan Avenue.
Photo courtesy: Max Mara
5. Max Mara Opens Pop Up to Celebrate 10 Years of Teddy Bear Coat
Max Mara has launched a mobile pop-up store to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their iconic teddy bear coat, making the space a light-hearted tribute to all things teddy. The pop-up started its journey in Chengdu on October 15th, concluding on the 29th. Named the ‘Fully Residence’ by Max Mara, it’s described as a “whimsical dream come true, a magical place of enveloping contours, a haven of tenderness.”
The European leg of the journey brings the pop-up to Harrods, which will run until November 14th. On the department store’s ground floor, an interactive Teddy entertains and engages shoppers with games and provides a photo opportunity. The pop-up showcases a collection of Teddy Ten products, including the Sparking Teddy Coat, as well as the Mini Teddy line for children, complete with matching accessories.
Photo courtesy: Sephora
6. Sephora Reinvents its Paris Flagship
Sephora’s flagship in Paris, established in 1996, has just completed a six-and-a-half-month renovation and welcomed customers into its newly revamped 12,915-square-foot store on October 27th. Preserving the iconic Parisian stone architecture, this location is the first to use large green plants to improve air circulation at the populated store.
7. Spanx Pops Up in New York, Miami, and Washington
Spanx made its pop up debut in New York on October 27th at Hudson Yards Public Square and Garden, and is now gearing up for its Washington DC event on November 4th. The DC pop-up, located at the Wharf, will occupy a 1,600-square-foot space from 10 am to 5 pm. Miami’s event is scheduled for November 11th in the Miami Design District, featuring a spacious 9,000 square-foot venue. Spanx has collaborated with Nigerian-Australian artist Nkosi Ndlovu to create captivating artwork installations. Each pop-up event lasts for one day. The next stop on Spanx’s itinerary is London, where a pop-up will run from November 20th to December 22nd at Selfridges.
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