Hermes of Paris Coming to Greenwich

Hermes of Paris, the a French high fashion house founded in 1837, is moving into Greenwich.

Not that it doesn't already—it does sell at Richard's of Greenwich (and its sister store, Mitchell's of Westport), located two blocks south on Greenwich Avenue. The high-end retailer of leather, scarves, ties, menswear, women's fashion, perfume, watches, stationery, footwear, gloves, enamel, decorative arts, tableware, and jewelry, is preparing to move into the 289 Greenwich Ave. storefront that for years was home to Susie Hilfiger's Best & Co.

Hilfiger abandoned the stately facade a few years ago and the arched doorway of the building at the corner of Greenwich Avenue and Bruce Park Place—adjacent to the Greenwich Senior/Arts Center—has remained dormant. Since Hilfger closed her high-end children's and home furnishings shop, several other designer shops have opened. Next door is Tumi, and headed north on Greenwich Avenue (aka The Ave), is Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch and Kate Spade to name a few.

In the past several weeks, workers have gutted the high-ceilinged store with dark wooden window arches and an arched double-doored entry. According to town building officials, the store doesn't need Planning and Zoning Commission approval as it will be a commercial use already approved for the space.

Even though workers installed Hermes of Paris window dressings last week, for those in the market for all things country and horsey—saddles and stirrups the signatures of the label founded by Thierry Hermes—they'll have to wait until spring for the opening.

According to a woman who answered the phone at Hermes corporate headquarters in New York City, "the opening has been delayed until May 1." She referred further questions to Hermes spokeswoman Cena Jackson who said it was "premature" to discuss the store's opening and requested all further questions be emailed to an address that turned out to be "undeliverable." Jackson did not return a subsequent phone call.

Greenwich Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marcia O'Kane described Hermes as "a great fit with the other stores offering  high end fashions and design."

O'Kane added, "Their location is really optimal. It's next to unique and luxury businesses (like) Ralph Lauren. ... their location is excellent for them. It is highly trafficked."