Storecasting: Grand Central's M.A.C. Attack

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[Image via C'est Moi/Flickr]

Almost half of the retail leases in Grand Central Station will expire over the next year, meaning there's about to be a lot of turnover on 42nd Street. The best-known potential new tenant: M.A.C. Cosmetics, which might replace French beauty brand L'Occitane in Lexington Passage. But Grand Central is fairly committed to supporting smaller companies, which means the rest of the names on the list aren't quite as boldface. There's Tia's Place, which WWD calls "a boutique specializing in young designers, niche brands and distinctive furniture and antiques," West Village jeweler Innasense Designs, which is replacing Our Name is Mud, and stationary boutique Cursive, currently a store-within-a-store at ABC Carpet & Home, which is taking over Flowers on Lexington.

The station will also see some current tenants expand: Pink Slip is taking over Godiva's space, Grand Central Optical is absorbing the Children's General Store, and Tumi is growing as well. Says Grand Central's director of development: “Our anchor is the transportation, and it’s a great anchor. It beats Neiman Marcus.” Oh snap!
· New Brands Travel to Grand Central [WWD, subscription req'd]