Readers of this blog know that Tyler Brûlé’s stellar publication Monocle is one of my all-time Lovemarks. I wrote a while back about the enormously sensible strategy of a magazine extending its brand directly into retail when Monocle opened its London retail shop. Well, I’m pleased to report about the Monocle storefront that recently opened in Manhattan’s West Village, just down Hudson Street (at Charles St.) from the New York offices of Saatchi & Saatchi.
The 188-square foot shop somehow captures the same excitement about design, luxury goods, ideas and commerce that makes the magazine such a stimulating read. What’s most surprising is that it provokes this energy with only a small number of hand-picked items, including finely crafted stationary, furniture and toys. Despite this, you’ll never know what will delight you when you wander in. Their understated, sophisticated taste in products always hits home for me. Glad to have Monocle in the neighborhood!
