COMING SOON: C. Wonder Brings Heavy Hype To Former Kate's Space

There's a new store concept brewing in the space that held the last permanent Kate's Paperie location on Spring Street. While the beleaguered stationery & gift store has been relegated to a pop-up store on Astor Place until permanent lodgings can be found, Racked reports that C.Wonder, the store that will take its place, is being backed by Chris Burch (the former husband of Tory who continues to co-chair the board of his ex-wife's company). The nascent brand's still under construction website heralds the upcoming shop by announcing, "You've waited your whole life for this".

Wow, that's pretty major. It suggests that the new store might offer world peace and a cure for cancer rather than the women’s apparel, shoes, jewelry and accessories, housewares and home decor, personal electronics and “show-stopping surprises” that an article that ran last month in WWD indicates will be sold there. Well, maybe the cancer cure will be one of the surprises a company spokeswoman spoke of, but we're not holding our breath. Actually, the reported “icons of luxury at amazing prices” said to be among the offerings combined with the wide ranging merchandise categories and the whimsical nature of the website and window covering designs suggest that C.Wonder will be aimed squarely at the market currently served by the unstoppable Anthropologie. It's not a bad move, as that chain has carved out a unique niche for itself, and is ripe for a bit of competition. The 5,100 square foot C.Wonder store is expected to unveil itself this Fall, but it's not the only project on Mr. Burch's plate. There's the Monika Chiang lifestyle brand debuting on Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles this Fall, A sportswear line created with celebrity PR maven Kelly Cutrone, an online high-style office supply company called Poppin, and an as-yet-unnamed luxury apparel and home furnishing brand. That's all on top of his continuing responsibilities at Tory Burch. That's a lot to pay attention to, but for now we're gong to keep our eyes on C.Wonder, if only to see if we really have been waiting all our lives for it.

Tory Burch's Ex to Open Luxury Boutique C. Wonder in Soho (Racked)
Chris Burch to Launch C. Wonder (WWD)