Today Tory Burch, Neiman Marcus, Hermes, and Jimmy Choo open their doors to the state of Washington. Not downtown, as I would have assumed their location to be, but Bellevue. And not at Bellevue Square mall (whose claim to fame was being referenced in the John Cusack movie Say Anything), but a new outdoor shopping center, The Bravern. "The Bravern will offer a vibrant urban village in a distinctive outdoor setting at the gateway to downtown Bellevue. Gracious arrival courts and European-style plazas will connect 450 signature residences and two office towers fully leased to Microsoft with approximately 305,000 square feet of fashion retail, distinctive restaurants (Artisanal Brasserie & Winebar, The Artisanal Table Pizzeria Enoteca, John Howie Steak, and Wild Ginger) and personal services (Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa and David Barton gym), anchored by a 125,000-square-foot Neiman Marcus." The whole concept seems reminiscent of Santana Row in San Jose. And if this concept is at home anywhere in Washington, it would be Bellevue. With 2 dozen of the 35 retail spaces filled, I'm waiting with baited breathe to find out who else will move in, Kate Spade and Marc Jacobs would suit me just fine. The whole projects screams Bellevue and is just a little too "California" (that's southern not northern) for my liking. Not like that's going to stop me from perusing the place for myself on my next trip home, because anywhere Trophy Cupcakes goes, I will follow. Plus I hear rumors of outdoor fireplaces.
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