Click the image above to view the full photogallery.

Though it opened at 4pm today obstinately for "press," the Steven Alan sale at 87 Franklin Street was packed with plenty of regular old shoppers this afternoon rifling through the long racks of SA-brand button-downs and tunic dresses. The usual sample sale antics were in effect: women were stripping down to their underwear next to the merchandise, and teams of employees were manning the door, checking all bags, and patrolling the aisles. There didn't appear to be any huge steals yet—most items were marked down about a hundred dollars from their original price, so don't expect to run out of there with armfuls of $30 jeans and shirts.

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Let's end the day with a bit of Rackedwire, our roundup of gossip, rumors, events and other random pieces of ephemera. If you've got some 'Wire to share, well then, please do so.

RED HOOK—NewYorkology has a few more details about the Ikea Water Taxi service that's going to rock our world come June. "The Water Taxi will run seven days a week, every 40 minutes during store hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m." Most crucially, "The boat has a capacity of 74 passengers, but only 25 will be allowed on the outdoor top deck at any time." (Emphasis ours.) Right now, the store's only planning to offer the service over the summer, but may be persuaded to keep it going on the weekends in fall. [NewYorkology]

NOLITA—In case you didn't know, tomorrow is International Fluevog Day. That's shoe store John Fluevog for the unfamiliar. Drop in to their NYC outpost at 250 Mulberry Street at 5:15 tomorrow for free cupcakes and 15% off the brand's quirky footwear. The store will be open late ('til 9pm) for the occasion. [RackedWire]

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Soho: Pictured here is the display in the window of swanky Spring Street sunglass boutique Ilori. It's comprised of gigantic flowers made of many, many jawbreaker-sized eyeballs. Given that Ilori is an eyewear store, we understand the ocular fixation, but still—this gave us pause. Be mindful of the fact that when you're trying on the latest Ray-Ban, Burberry, Proenza Schouler or Oliver Peoples shades, it won't just be the salespeople watching you.

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Midtown East: Commuters should be happy to hear that the bean-minded folks over at Joe the Art of Coffee have picked a date for the debut of their new Grand Central shop. In exactly two weeks' time, on May 28th, the Graybar Passage (map) will be the go-to spot for artisanal espresso drinks, superlative drip coffee and Sullivan Street Bakery pastries. It's about time.
· Morning Java: Joe Perking Up Grand Central [Racked]

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Today's Street Scenes subject is Tanner, shot on Doyers Street in Chinatown. Feel free to vote on whether you like or dislike his outfit below—your choices are 'Perfection!,' I feel strangely ambivalent about it,' or 'Who Did This To You.'

[Photo by Krieger; click to expand]

Tanner is wearing a Tony Hawk collection shirt, jeans and a cap from H&M, a jacket from Macy's and sunglasses from a vendor on the Santa Monica Promenade. His favorite store is The Children's Place.

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More Street Scenes

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Click the image above to view the full photogallery.

Mini erasers in the shape of desserts. Scarves with designs to resemble trash around your neck. Furoshiki business card holders. These are few of the many eclectic, generally useless items on offer in the MoMA Store's Destination: Japan collection. At first glance, the few tables of cutesy trinkets are appealing and even entertaining, until you look at the yo-yoing pricetags.

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