Exclusive: Marc Jacobs Cafe Coming to Uptown

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As if the news about the opening of Bookmarc and the transformation of the Bleecker Street MbyMJ Accessories store wasn't enough, we've got yet more news on the future of Marc Jacobs to throw out there: A Marc Jacobs Cafe is coming to New York, and they're thinking uptown for it.

This tidbit of fresh and piping hot information is something we gleaned from a conversation with Robert Duffy, longtime business partner and friend of Marc Jacobs, who also happens to be president of the company. Duffy, notorious for his spill-all attitude on Twitter, was tight-lipped when we inquired about the possibilities of an MJ Cafe in New York, but he did confirm to us that yes, it is in the works and no, it will not be on Bleecker.

"Uptown" was the detail dropped by Duffy, but ah! Therein lies the rub; there are currently no Marc Jacobs stores uptown, so can we expect one sooner rather than later?

Unlike with Bookmarc, an MJ Cafe in New York wouldn't be a world's first; Milan has the original, a small, neon-accented space at the back of the new Marc by Marc Jacobs store in their Brera district. It premiered this last spring, around the time of Milan's Design Week. Thinking along those lines, next season's NY Fashion Week (the one in February 2011) could be significantly brightened up by the opening of a new MJ store, plus some spiked hot chocolate from an accompanying MJ Cafe.

Hotel Marc Jacobs? Recent shoppers at the Marc by Marc Jacobs Accessories store will have noticed the "Hotel Marc Jacobs" keychains up for sale. Bookmarc has brought them back in leather, even. Is Jacobs looking to join the long list of fashion designers-turned-hoteliers? Robert Duffy answers: "No no no; we're approached all the time by chains to do hotels with them, but the focus is on the stores." And there you have it. You may be able to buy "Hotel Marc Jacobs" keychains, but they won't be unlocking any hotel doors anytime soon.

Alright, now back to the Marc Jacobs Cafe...where do you think it should go? Madison Avenue? Fifth Avenue? The Upper West Side?
· Exclusive: Marc Jacobs' Bleecker Street Bookmarc is Open [Racked NY]
· Marc by Marc Jacobs Accessories Closes Down to Class Up as Collection Store [Racked NY]
· Modern Milan Coffee Shop and Store Design Marc by Marc Jacob [TazCafe]
· The Ultimate Guide to Fashion Designer Hotels Around the World [Jaunted]