Welcome to Racked Philly, where we'll report on retail and fashion comings and goings around town. Seen a store open, close, or otherwise claim your attention? Hit the tipline, and we'll get right on it. The below post was contributed by Julie Davis.
1) Suburban Boutiques Unlock Their Seaside Summer Pop-Ups. Prepped and ready for the summer season, the Media boutique Per Lei has opened the doors to its seasonal sister store in Avalon, New Jersey. This marks the third summer for the 2521 Dune Drive pop-up, which houses women's designer fashions personally selected by store owner Candice Caprice. Expect finds from lines like Vince, Joes Jeans, Robert Rodriguez, Diane Von Furstenberg, Trina Turk, and Rebecca Taylor. Through the month of May, Per Lei Boutique of Avalon will be open Thursday through Saturday,10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Come June, the boutique will be open daily, from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
One town over, in Stone Harbor, spring and summer shipments are welcoming beach-going shoppers at Skirt. The 272 96th Street boutique, which has a permanent sister store in Bryn Mawr, boasts designer women's apparel from labels like Milly, Tibi, Theory and Alice and Olivia. Through Memorial Day, Skirt's Stone Harbor location will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Then, starting in June, the store will be open daily.
2) Shop the Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival on Saturday. Can't make it to the beach? The 2012 Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival will take over Walnut Street this Saturday, from noon to 5 p.m. The annual affair promises food, activities, music, and a peek at Rittenhouse boutiques' newest merchandise. Area shops (think: Arcadia, Kembrel, Knit Wit, Nicole Miller, South Moon Under) will showcase their fashions outside, giving passersby a chance at some al fresco shopping. For example, Walnut Street boutique Joan Shepp will display accessories and gifts outdoors, alongside ewelry selections from its newly-instated John Wind "Charm Bar." And be sure to stop by Plage Tahiti; the 128 South 17th Street boutique has designer pieces on sale for 60 to 90 percent off, now through July.
· Fashion Retailer Intermix Comes to Philly [CPHI]
· Area Changes: Nordstrom Rack, Longchamp, Omoi [CPHI]