Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
On the heels of Palisades Village’s second birthday, WILLIAM B + friends welcomed the first customers to its Sunset Boulevard storefront and Caruso revealed that FRENCH would host a retail pop-up in the space formerly occupied by Botanica Bazaar.
It was first revealed in October 2019 that WILLIAM B was coming soon via temporary signs that were placed on the space between Sweet Laurel Bakery and Gornik & Drucker, with the store officially opening on Friday, September 18.
“We chose to expand our brand into Pacific Palisades for a number of reasons,” Founder Linda Deleo shared with the Palisadian-Post. “We have a very strong customer base that lives in Pacific Palisades and they urged us to open a store in their community. They wanted to have a fun shopping option with an approachable price point.”
WILLIAM B + friends offers a selection of women’s clothing, accessories, handbags, shoes, jewelry, home decor and gift items.
“In addition, having grown up on the East Coast, the charming and traditional aesthetic of Palisades Village and the surrounding areas reminded us of home,” Deleo concluded. “It’s a warm and inviting place to spend time.”
The Palisades Village iteration marks the third collaboration between Caruso and WILLIAM B, which operates locations at the Promenade at Westlake and Waterside Marina del Rey.
The brand, which was founded 25 years ago, retails at boutiques and department stores across the U.S. in addition to operating nine stores from Huntington Beach to Palo Alto.
“With a customer-centric philosophy, WILLIAM B + friends expanded their premium line into their own boutique concept,” the brand’s website reads. “Interacting one-on-one with their loyal customers provided real-time, accurate feedback and allowed for prompt reactions to styles and trends.”
FRENCH will begin a retail residency in the space once occupied by Botanica Bazaar, which closed in June of this year.
“We are pleased to confirm that FRENCH, an innovative design concept store featuring many of the very best—and hardest to find—products from France, will be opening for an exclusive pop-up residency,” a representative from Caruso shared with the Post.
FRENCH offers a selection of items for the living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry, bedroom, bathroom, outdoor and wardrobe, including items ranging from jams and butters to cookbooks and linens.
This will be the store’s second location, joining its first in Calabasas.
“When I opened our first store in Calabasas, it was my motivation to create a sense of home within the shop,” Director Julie Newman wrote. “I launched decorating, knitting and cooking classes to help promote this. It brought a feeling of community to the neighborhood.”
Newman added that she was “thrilled” when asked to open in her “favorite town of Los Angeles.”
No opening date was available for the Palisades Village store, but updates are expected to soon follow.
As the Post went to print, there was no update on when Ombra Ristorante + Bar is slated to open or what is expected to fill the space that has been vacant since mini mioche closed in June.
Since opening in September 2018, Palisades Village has undergone several tenant changes, with Botanica Bazaar and mini mioche marking the fifth and sixth stores to close.
Other closures include General Porpoise in March 2019 (now Alfred), Vintage Grocers (now Erewhon), and Rachel Zoe and Fleur du Mal both having their retail residencies come to an end.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating two wonderful years in Pacific Palisades,” the Caruso representative continued. “It has been a joy to watch Palisades Village grow, and we are extremely grateful for the support of our friends and neighbors in this special community.”
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