(Photo: Joshua Lutz/Redux)

Femininity without the frills: Space Mercer has a stable of understated but undeniably chic designers in a loftlike, fuss-free boutique (115 Mercer St., nr. Prince St.; 212-730-2266). The store is formatted into “look stations” that resemble walk-in closets, each devoted to a different designer, including feather­weight cashmeres from Lutz & Patmos, layerable knits from Rick Owens, and jewelry from Philip Crangi. Moisturizers from Malin + Goetz and masks from Christine Chin make up the beauty component.

Italian design house Alessi has hit Soho with its entire collection of relentlessly modern home, kitchen, and office supplies—and an in-store espresso bar (130 Greene St., nr. Prince St.; 212-941-7300).

And Molton Brown’s floral bath and body potions have found a home in Soho (128 Spring St., nr. Greene St.; 212-965-1740).

Related:

• Archive: “The Storefront: Openings & Closings”
• Articles by Aja Mangum
• Table of Contents: Sep 18, 2006 issue of New York | Subscribe!