Maybe its because the Academy Awards just passed, but after going on eight years now as an independent jewelry boutique on W. 17th Street, having Barneys move in around the corner, feels a little like having Leonardo DiCaprio move in down the hall from us! To say the least, it’s super exciting and has every small business owner in the neighborhood filled with anticipation for what’s to come now that Barneys is officially here!

Barneys striking black marble facade facing out onto Seventh Avenue between 16th and 17th Streets in Chelsea.

The block’s been buzzing for weeks with talk of Barneys return to Chelsea. Last month, the iconic Barneys New York opened its brand new Seventh Avenue doors in the same spot it originally occupied when it opened in 1923. It’s commanding exterior features a 170 foot stainless steel marquee running along the store’s black marble facade; floor to ceiling windows that provide a staging ground for the company’s world-renowned window displays, and multiple views into the store’s main level from the street.

The striking spiral staircase in the center of the store creates an atmosphere of exceptional luxury and modernity and is an ode to the original spiral staircase in the old Barneys from back in the day. (Photo by Scott Frances)

The only oblique architectural reference to the original Barneys interior design is the central spiraling staircase at the store’s epicenter. The massive futuristic design adjoins all four floors allowing customers a special vantage point from which to experience the store’s calm, luxurious, and very modern esthetic. The central staircase itself seems to echo an important discerning quality unique to Barneys, which, as WWD‘s David Moin phrased it, is a “place to see and be seen.” The social aspect which is apparently a part of every Barneys location and experience, according to the company’s COO and SVP, Daniella Vitale, is perhaps even more pronounced as a desirable “meeting place for everyone” — or at least that’s the hope. (WWD)

Inside the new spacious modern downtown Barneys. This is what high-end specialty luxury retail looks like folks.          (Photo by Scott Frances)

“Our new store is designed and curated to be a real neighborhood store, but also it will have a tourist
component that didn’t exist 10 years ago.”
– Daniella Vitale, Barneys New York (WWD, 02.15.16)

Its an exciting moment for small businesses in the neighborhood like us. Patty Tobin opened her Fine Fashion Jewelry boutique at 108 W. 17th Street in Chelsea seven plus years ago right around the corner from the legendary retailer’s new digs.

Our little jewelry box of a boutique is just a hop, skip and a jump away from the new downtown Barneys, which spans the majority of the Seventh Avenue block from W. 16th to W. 17th Street.

Many independent retailers in the neighborhood, especially those within close proximity to the new Barneys like Patty Tobin Fine Fashion Jewelry, are hoping that the arrival of a retail force like Barneys, will not only boost foot traffic in the area, but will attract the elite clientele who shop with discerning taste and an eye for quality and exclusivity.

Patty Tobin jewelry is right around the corner!

Take a Right outta Barneys, a Right onto 17th St.

Walk down the block and we’ll be on your right!

Since 16th Street has little besides residential apartment buildings to offer, we’re hopeful that Barneys customers will spill over onto 17th Street as it is packed with many more delightful retailers like Patty Tobin Jewelry, Pippin Vintage, The Rubin Museum Gift Shop, Housing Works, West Elm and From The Source among others.

With so many more cultural attractions now in Chelsea like the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Rubin Museum of Art, the High Line; the clusters of art galleries all along the west side; places like Chelsea Market and the Apple Store; not to mention the celebrity sprinkling that goes regularly amidst the high-end shopping and culinary draws right next door in the Meatpacking District or just below it in Soho, the neighborhood hardly resembles that which the original Barneys inhabited 20 years ago. Although Chelsea has not yet elevated to the standing of a “high fashion” area, it is certainly on the path to becoming just that. Barneys CEO Mark Lee was quoted in WWD saying that he believes that Barneys return to the neighborhood “will be a catalyst — no doubt.”

As Patty would say, “From your mouth to God’s ears, Lee!” Stay tuned for more exciting neighborhood news about Patty Tobin’s hot new neighbor as we keep you up to date on the latest news and goings-on with the new downtown Barneys flagship store in Chelsea!