Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler, now a mini shop at select J.C. Penney stores and jcp.com

A funny thing happened while we were watching J.C. Penney’s stock plummet. The stores finally started catching up to the hype that recently banished CEO Ron Johnson initiated a year too early. He promised designer brands, mini shops, and in-store excitement. So we went there, and found the same, tired stores filled with the same, ho-hum merchandise—only, it was no longer on sale. No doubt about it: Johnson made mistakes. Chief among them: underestimating the consumer’s love of sales and deals—real, or perceived. He should have done more research. He should have listened to shoppers. He should have moved slower. Instead, he alienated J.C. Penney’s core customers, while underwhelming the more fashionable crowd he hoped to attract. Now, Johnson is out. The coupons are back. And J.C. Penney—are we still supposed to call it JCP?— is begging forgiveness. Meanwhile, many of the designer collaborations Johnson set in motion are just now arriving in stores. And the new mini shops for home that are currently being constructed at about half of JCP’s stores nationwide look good. Like, shockingly good.

Michael Graves for JCP

MarthaCelebrations at JCP

There’s kitchenware by Michael Graves (whom Johnson is credited with bringing to Target, thus setting the designer collaboration/diffusion line model into motion). Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler features pillows, candles, lamps and furniture that look straight out of Jonathan Adler stores (and aren’t that much less expensive). Design by Conran is a less expensive contemporary furniture collection from legendary British designer Sir Terence Conran. Swedish brand Ordning&Reda brings its modern office supplies to the U.S., exclusively through JCP. And MarthaCelebrations is a party goods line—a category not included in the lawsuit between JCP and Macy’s. New branded departments have been steadily trickling in on the fashion side as well, including a spiffy white lacquer display of colorful basics by Joe Fresh and the European inspired MNG by Mango. But the home department overhaul delivers the biggest wow, and the one that just might bring in the upscale shoppers Johnson so badly wanted. JCP better hope so, because it’s traditional customer probably isn’t buying a $2,895 midcentury modern tufted sofa—even with a coupon.

]]> http://blogs.mspmag.com/alishops/2013/05/16/the-jcp-we-were-promised/feed/ 0 http://blogs.mspmag.com/alishops/2013/05/14/coming-soon-the-victorias-secret-alternative/ http://blogs.mspmag.com/alishops/2013/05/14/coming-soon-the-victorias-secret-alternative/#comments Tue, 14 May 2013 20:09:15 +0000 Allison Kaplan http://blogs.mspmag.com/alishops/?p=5104 Read more.

The owner of La Bratique is opening a second bra boutique at 50th & France—this one, aimed at teens. Braboleta will open in July. Expect bright colors and fun prints from brands such as Betsey Johnson and Josie, but the setting and attitude will be less provocative than certain mall stores, and with more emphasis on proper fit.

“It’s a girl power store, where we take the sexiness out of the equation and instead build confidence,” says owner Tracy Anderson.

Braboleta will stock sizes 30A to 40HH. “There is a range of product that fits much better than what is primarily sold to this age group,” Anderson says. “When young girls are comparing themselves to others, a good bra that is pretty, fun, and fits well does a world for building  a postive body image.”

Braboleta will be located at 5049 France Ave. S., Mpls. And stay tuned: more summer openings at 50th & France to come!

 

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New outlet mall in Eagan: Plans are taking shape for a new outlet center in Eagan. Off 5th, the Saks Fifth Avenue outlet that also has a downtown Minneapolis store, has signed on, along with Gap Outlet and Banana Republic Factory. The center, opening next year, will feature 100 shops in all. Located at Highways 77 and 13—just a few miles from Mall of America, this is the first outlet center to be located in the middle of town, rather than on the outskirts—a big shift for the outlet industry. More, in the Star Tribune.

Jeffrey for Sperry Top-Sider

More new stores for Southdale: The Edina shopping center announced three new stores. The buzziest among them in Sperry Top-Sider, which has raised its fashion profile by jazzing up its classic boat shoe and partnering with designer brands including Milly. This will be Sperry’s first Twin Cities boutique. Vera Bradley, known for its quilted bags and floral accessories, will open at Southdale this fall and Kay Jewelers is returning to the mall.

Creative Kidstuff Grows: The Minneapolis-based toy retailer purchased catalog company Sensational Beginnings. Both companies were founded by moms, and emphasize thoughtful, creative play. The plan is to maintain the branding for both, with some overlap online.

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target: The retailer’s next designer collaboration is Phillip Lim. The collection will launch Sept. 15, featuring 100 pieces for women and men, including apparel, accessories, shoes, and bags priced from $19.99 to $299.99. Expect neutral tones, prints, and Lim’s cool, contemporary aesthetic.

Realia by Jen necklaces—get one free with $150 purchase

If you’re still scrambling for the perfect gift for mom, these offers might make it easier:

Wow Bar: Buy three blowouts and get one free. Offer valid through May 12.

Grethen House: 20 to 30 percent off most merchandise on Saturday during the Mother’s Day Sale

Brightwater Clothing & Gear: Everything for moms is 20 percent off at this high-style outdoors inspired boutique. That includes J.W. Hulme leather bags, perfume and home fragrance and active apparel.

Hot Mama: Get 10 percent off everything—including denim—on Mother’s Day, in store and online.

Urban Junket: The Minneapolis-based eco-friendly bag line is offering a free chocolate colored “Ellen” zipper wallet with a purchase of $100 or more. Use code MothersDay2013. Offer valid through May 13

Realia by Jen: Spend $150 on jewelry designed by the local artist, and receive a free Swarovski crystal necklace (pictured above).

Maria Rivolta: Get $30 off watches for mom from the colorful, Buenos Aires-designed jewelry and accessories collection.

Ivy Spa Club Mother’s Day Deal: Get a 50 minute Ivy Signature massage and a gel color polish manicure for $135, a $23 savings. Available Sunday, May 12 through Friday, May 17. 612-343-3131 to schedule

Room by Robb Whittlef

Interior designer Robb Whittlef of HISTORIC Studio offered some advice last Saturday on Shop Girls that could make decorating your home seem less elusive. It’s the three Ts: Timely, time worn, and timeless. “Every great interior has elements of all three,” says Whittlef, who develops products for Restoration Hardware in addition to decorating homes across the country. He breaks it down like this:

Timely: Something hip, happening, and now. That might be something midcentury modern or a big, bold patterned wallpaper.

Time worn: Aged brass, old furniture with life to it.

Timeless: Classic, traditional, tailored.

Start looking at your spaces, and your purchases with time in mind, Whittlef suggests. “A lot of times, a client will ask me, ‘Why doesn’t this room feel great?’ And it’s because everything in here is time worn. There’s no punch of life, and nothing super classic. Add one traditional chair, or one amazing new lamp shade to elevate the room. People aren’t one-dimensional. Nor should an interior be.”

Excuse me while I mentally inventory my space.

Hear more from Whittlef,  and get design advice from our May cover star, vintage shopping devotee Nate Berkus, on the May 4 podcast of Shop Girls. And find out some of their favorite vintage resources in the Twin Cities in the May issue of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine.

Galleria special occasion boutique dugo is bringing in the Escada spring/summer 2013 main line collection for the month of May. The Miami-inspired collection includes curve-hugging sheaths and modern suits, in crisp neutrals and bold brights, like canary yellow and kelly green. Dugo is the only place in the Twin Cities to shop the collection, Monday, May 6 through Memorial Day, May 27. The best-selling styles will be available for in-store purchase—no need to special order.

Israeli bath and body brand Sabon opened its first Twin Cities store this week at Mall of America. With a focus on healing and aromatherapy, Sabon incorporates Dead Sea minerals in its body scrubs, oils, and bath salts. The line, with stores around the world, includes shower and bath products, lotions, hair care, and home fragrance. Check out the beautifully carved soaps, which double as potpourri. Scents range from sweet and fruity to olive oil or musk (my personal fave is Ginger Orange). Packaged in pretty glass bottles and jars, the products make great gifts—you could put a package together for less than $30. (Skip the $4 gift box.) 166 West Market (near Macy’s) 

Sabon joins a long list of beauty brands at MOA. Find them all at Ali Shops Mall of America, my mobile guide to the mall. Just go to moa.alishops.com on any smartphone.

In her keynote address at Wednesday’s grand opening ceremony for the Radisson Blu Mall of America, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar talked about the significance of the luxury hotel opening in challenging economic times—creating jobs, enhancing tourism, reviving the hard-hit new construction industry. And then she touched on the hotel’s primo location, connected to Mall of America. It’s awfully convenient for the busy senator, who was able to take a spin through Ann Taylor before the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon. She put some items on hold rather than showing up at the party with shopping bags. Although she would not have been the only one.

HGTV star and Minnesota native Genevieve Gorder also mingled among the local luminaries at the Radisson Blu grand opening event.  ”Beautiful new hotel for MN,” she tweeted, “love when design wins!”

Among the tasteful nods to the MOA, the Radisson Blu served LEGO chocolates