Starting to hear those holiday jingles? Yes, retailers and designers are starting their year-end promotions and displays earlier than ever - even as newcomers continue to take space just in time to fulfill our Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa needs.
While I admit it's a little disconcerting to see Santa Claus items sitting next to Halloween decorations, the sight certainly is a relief as Wall St. continues its roller coaster ride. It's important to remember that much of the uncertainty in the stock market still surrounds problems in Europe. We'd all like to see better jobs numbers nationwide, but the Tri-State area is outpacing much of the United States in this recovery, and our retail numbers reflect that.
Leasing continues as we ready for the all-important holiday season. Tocca is soon to debut at 605 Hudson St. French accessories brand Perrin Paris will open its New York flagship at 987 Madison in the Carlyle Hotel. Yigal Azrouël's younger-skewing brand Cut25 is coming to 129 Grand St. Ricky's reportedly is opening at 2039 Broadway, even its popups open around town (including 14th St. between Fifth and Sixth Ave.). Paul & Shark is relocating to 667 Madison, replacing Michael Kors, which is taking Steuben's space on the avenue. Irish designer Orla Kiely will be opening momentarily at 5 Mercer St. Pucci's shop-in-shop has opened at Saks. Dolce & Gabbana is taking Escada's space at 717 Fifth Ave. Carlo Pazolini may be a fictional name, but the Russian brand's very real clothes are coming to 543 Broadway. Patagonia is popping up for six months at 1491 Third Ave. Nicholas Kirkwood's shoes are coming to 807 Washington St. The newly renovated Apple store at 767 Fifth Ave. will be revealed in November. Rumor has it that J. Crew is looking at a space in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. Look for Tiffany to open in Soho at 97 Greene St./106 Wooster St. in fall 2012. Tommy Bahama has expanded its space at 551 Fifth Ave. to add a cafe. Henrik Vibskov has taken 456 Broome St. for his men's and women's apparel.
Fall also brings a number of real estate related events around the city. I'm honored to join a panel discussing: "Rocking, Rolling & Revitalizing NYC: Retail & Lodging - Driving NYC's Recovery through Neighborhood Revitalization; or Are They?," a NYCREW Network "Industry Focus" to be held Wednesday, October 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Citibank, 399 Park Ave. Riyaz Akhtar, executive vice president of development of Hampshire Hotels & Resorts, Andrew Jackson, project manager of The Hudson Companies, and Amelia Lim, executive vice president at Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels will join me on the panel. Barbara Champoux, Esq., a partner at Crowell & Moring, will moderate. Sponsorship for this event arranged by NYcrew member, Laura Walker, vice president of commercial banking at Citibank. As always, a fun and informative session is planned. For more information and registration, visit: https://www.registrationfactory.com/v3/default.cfm?EventUUID=8D7ED028.
Among other preparations for year-end, I'm looking forward to the Women's Special Industry Group at ICSC's New York National Conference and Deal Making, to be held Monday, December 5, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The conference as always, is at the Sheraton New York and New York Hilton. We're working hard on plans to top last year's spectacular event with Lord & Taylor, so stay tuned for more details. For more information and to register for both the conference and the SIG, visit http://www.icsc.org/apps/meeting_display.php?meeting=2011EDM.
As we speed toward the holidays, the activity continues apace.

Faith Hope Consolo is the chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman's Retail Group, New York, N.Y. Tags: