Printemps NY Names James Beard Award-winning Chef Gregory Gourdet Culinary Director; Opening Date Reset
Printemps is gathering talent and brands for its Manhattan store, but it’s taking longer than initially expected to pull it all together for a grand opening.
Now the Paris-based luxury retailer has set spring 2025 for the opening of its New York store, under development at One Wall Street.
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In January 2023, Printemps Group chief executive officer Jean-Marc Bellaiche told WWD that a mid-2024 opening was targeted. When Printemps first announced it would be locating in New York City, the company indicated an early 2024 opening. Delays on store openings, often involving construction issues or cobbling together the right assortment, are not uncommon in New York City.
Asked what’s behind the delays, Bellaiche said in statement issued to WWD: “This concept is entirely new for Printemps and quite unique in the New York retail landscape. We are committed to honoring the building’s historic identity and landmark status and prefer to take the appropriate time needed to open a perfect concept.”
Printemps does not operate any stores in the U.S. but first came to the U.S. in 1984 when it opened a store on the outskirts of Denver. Three years later, it closed.
Manhattan has not been kind to big box luxury retailers. Saks operated separate women’s and men’s stores in Brookfield Place. Both had short runs. Barneys also once operated in Brookfield Place, but that closed too. Years later, Barneys shuttered in Madison Avenue and Chelsea stores. Galeries Lafayette and Takashimaya once operated luxury department stores in midtown Manhattan but both eventually closed, as did Neiman Marcus in Hudson Yards.
For its return to America, the Paris-based Printemps is not about to go head-to-head against the competition. Printemps will strive to grab some market share from other upscale multibrand stores in the city like Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman and Nordstrom, though the new Printemps will be situated miles away from those midtown department store flagships. One Wall Street is in the heart of the financial district. The Printemps’ plan calls for presenting an assortment and range of services that strives to differentiate, in essence taking a specialty store approach.
This week, Printemps announced that James Beard award-winner and Top Chef finalist Chef Gregory Gourdet has been tapped as the culinary director of the New York store.
Printemps pointed out that Gourdet is a New York City native and studied at the Culinary Institute of America. He began his career with legendary chef Jean-Georges Vongrichten, with whom he spent seven years applying global influences and cooking techniques to seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients. His restaurant, Kann, “showcases the natural bounty of the Pacific Northwest through the culinary lens of his ancestral homeland, Haiti, with nods to the cuisines that have inspired him,” according to Printemps’ announcement.
At Printemps New York, Gourdet will orchestrate five concepts ranging from fine dining to a casual café. Saga Hospitality Group will serve as the operating partner, supporting Printemps and Gourdet.
“At Printemps, we strive to create experiences that stay with you long after you leave any of our stores,” Bellaiche said in hs statement. Gourdet’s “culinary artistry and dedication to excellence embody the unforgettable memories we aim to create for our guests. The menus and stories across our five concepts will reflect a lifetime of cooking and experiences. We are committed to bringing something new to New York City through the culture, history, and healthy lifestyle our flagship restaurant and other outlets will honor. With a holistic approach to creating spaces for every type of diner, we eagerly anticipate welcoming both New Yorkers and international guests to a luxurious world of history, culture, and the best sustainable ingredients.”
“As a native New Yorker, this is a homecoming, and I am excited to cook once again in New York, the city I still proudly call home,” Gourdet said.
Saga Hospitality group chef and managing partner James Kent, said in his statement: “Having operated Crown Shy, Saga and Overstory, we know the neighborhood. And having worked with Gregory, I understand how he works.”
Paris architect and interior designer Laura Gonzalez’ is designing Printemps New York. “Much like Gourdet’s cuisine, Gonzalez’s soulful, multi-layered, whimsical designs are informed by her childhood in the South of France along with her world travels,” Printemps stated. “With design expertise ranging from residential to retail to restaurants and hotels, her maximalist style lends itself to the Paris-meets-New York twist of Printemps New York.”
Founded in 1865 by Jules and Augustine Jaluzot, the Printemps Group operates 20 department stores in France and Doha, the capital of Qatar, as well as nine Citadium stores which are youth-oriented selling streetwear, sneaker, accessories and gadgets. Also, Printemps owns the Place des Tendances fashion and beauty e-store, and Made in Design, a European online store for designer furniture, lighting, and decoration.
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