EAST VILLAGE—According to a few of the commenters on this super-crazy Curbed thread, a new pet store (called Furry Pets? it's unclear) is opening on 12th Street and Avenue A. Apparently, they've been taking their sweet time: "The furry pet shop is annoying because it's taking them FOREVAH to open. Trying to be neighborly, I stopped by last week to buy some kitten chow and even though the shelves are stocked and the door's wide open the owner dood said to me "next week." WTH, I'm cute and nice and I pay cash, just sell me a damn bag of Nutro. And it still ain't open!" [Curbed Comments]
GREENPOINT—For the reality show fanatics out there: Hip boutique Alter is now carrying former Project Runway contestant Alison Kelly's Dahl collection. They've also begun stocking the her collaboration with Dane Risch of Salt & Samovar, called Dahl & Dane. Pictured at right is one of their skeleton key keychains ($28). [Alter]
NEW YORK CITY—TONY reports that up-and-coming streetwear brand Pegleg will be coming out with a women's line this fall. The collection will be 'small and concise, composed predominantly of leggings, denim and oversize tops.'” [TONY]
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.
SOHO—Modern furniture destination Kartell on Greene Street is closed for renovations. The store's slated to reopen this Saturday, May 17th, just in time for the beginning of ICFF. [RackedWire]
EAST VILLAGE—This just in, from a reader: "There is a new wine shop in Alphabet City called Alphabet City Wine Co.Kick ass, knowledgeable staff that care about the wine. Great prices too. Worth checking out." [RackedWire Inbox]
This is shaping up to be a very busy day for designer Rogan Gregory: this afternoon, without too much ado, his Roganboutique at 330 Bowery and Bond opened for business and tonight he's being feted at Barneys for the launch of his Target collection (rolling out at the high-end department store tomorrow). A select few were invited to the store's pre-opening bash last night, and the doors swung wide this afternoon; a Racked correspondent dropped in to suss out the scene, and to take some photos of the very dark interior (galleried above). The thorough report:
I stopped by the new Rogan store today, which the nice salesguy said had been open just about two hours. He'd mentioned an opening party the night before, and the space still seemed to be recovering from it (there was a big black trashbag sort of shoved in the back and only about half of the merchandise had price tags attached). It was really dark (read: all black interior) despite the big windows which gave the merchandise a sort of heavenly/spotlighty glow.
Mike Albo of the NY Times on the new Bowery Varvatos boutique: "The street is starting to look like Epcot with a drinking problem, and the John Varvatos store, beautifully styled and reverently decorated, is its high-end Hard Rock Cafe." [NY Times]
BOWERY—The Rogan store going in to the old Bouwerie Lane Theater at 330 Bowery is thisclose to opening. Reports a reader: "Rogan sign up at new store. Very subtle, it is the original Bowery Lane Theater sign, but the 'R's on the sign are now the signature Rogan shape 'R'." [RackedWire Inbox]
HUDSON SQUARE—Fancy-pants boutique Aloha Rag is finally getting around to throwing a grand opening party. The event is scheduled for tomorrow night from 6 to 9pm; drop by for "drinks, music and fun!" [Aloha Rag Staff Blog]
It's been common knowledge for months now that an outpost of the swanky David Barton Gym mini-chain, whose motto is "Look Better Naked", will be opening in the space that used to be a Barnes & Noble on Astor Place. But it was only recently that muscle-bound gym bunny Barton officially announced his intentions for 4 Astor Place. The first ad for the workout center, featuring a toned, oiled-up naked woman, was spotted by Jeremiah's Vanishing NY on Friday. The 32,000-square-foot Astor Place location will be Barton's third in Manhattan and is slated to open sometime this fall. Time to start with the morning protein shakes, East Villagers.
· No Pecs, No Sex [Jeremiah's Vanishing NY]
· Confirmed: Barnes & Noble Astor Place to Become David Barton Gym [Racked]
· Books Out, Gym In On Astor Place [Racked]
When word leaked from Hamptons-cum-Bowery fashion retailer Blue & Cream last month that they'd applied for a permit to have beach chairs out front of the store on the sidewalk this summer, we felt happy. Visions of Saturday afternoons, Pimm's Cup in hand, reclining on The Bowery in a fabulous lounge creation, danced in our heads.
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GREENPOINT—For the reality show fanatics out there: Hip boutique Alter is now carrying former Project Runway contestant Alison Kelly's Dahl collection. They've also begun stocking the her collaboration with Dane Risch of Salt & Samovar, called Dahl & Dane. Pictured at right is one of their skeleton key keychains ($28). [Alter]
BOWERY—The Rogan store 
