Non, Non Merci….

We fell in with Merci last fall during fashion week, when the relatively freshly launched Parisian concept store teamed up with

The Merci concept store in Paris

The Gap to open a 500-square-foot pop-up store at the American retailers’ Fifth Avenue store.

So, when we were in Paris we could hardly wait to pop over to the store at the edge of the Marais to replenish our supply of the exclusive Annick Goutal for Merci candles and also to stock up on a new supply of red-string bracelets with a Merci good-luck charm to replace the frayed one we had worn for the past year. We fell for the simple little Kabbala-esque string that came in a tiny bag because it reminds us every day to be thankful for what we have — or just reminds us that we have a red string on our wrist (depends on our mood that day, really).

The 15,000-square-foot store is the brainchild of Marie-France and Bernard Cohen, who for 33 years ran Bonpoint, the high-end children’s clothing boutiques known for outfitting Suri Cruise and attracting shoppers such as First Lady Michelle Obama. All the proceeds from the store go to the charity the couple created to help needy children in Madagascar and elsewhere.

Merci, Paris

The space, which also features a café, library and flirty café waiters (sourced organically, bien sur) is an eclectic little treasure trove that offers fresh flowers, an exclusive Annick Goutal fragrance bar, paper goods, house wares, apparel and a tiny hand-picked selection of vintage clothing. On our visit we spotted Lanvin, Chanel, Gucci and other gems.

Last fall, we were crossing our fingers that Merci would make its way stateside. But after falling in love with this tucked-away Parisian spot, we’re OK with hopping a plane to stock up on our 3 Euro good-luck strings!

Merci
111 Blvd. Beaumarchais, 3d arr.
Metro: St. Sebastien-Froissart or Chemin Vert
www.merci-merci.com

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Author:Fashion Trends Daily Contributor