Upper East Side residents demonstrated their appreciation of Madison Avenue by shopping locally, and retailers reciprocated by opening new stores to cater to these local affluent clients as well as supporting their favorite local charitable initiatives such as the 32nd Annual Miracle on Madison Avenue, benefiting The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on December 1.

“Miracle on Madison is an event that gives native New Yorkers the opportunity to be part of an authentic holiday outing along with doing good, as a percentage of sales goes back to one of the top cancer hospitals in the country,” said Melanie Seymour Holland, co-chair of Miracle on Madison and Founder/President of MSH & Partners.  “The majority of The Society of MSK board members reside on the Upper East Side and appreciate that Miracle gives them the opportunity to get out and tackle their holiday shopping at their favorite Madison shops while running into friends and sharing holiday cheer.”  Seventy-five Madison Avenue retailers, from international brands like Apple to the family-owned department store Zitomer, joined this neighborhood holiday tradition.

Likewise, accessory brand Frances Valentine opened their first and only holiday retail location at 793 Madison Avenue to reach directly the Upper East Side local shopper.  “We thought Madison Avenue would be the perfect spot, said founder Elyce Arons.” When we walked into the corner space with sunlight flooding in, we knew this was the place for Frances Valentine. It is happy, bright and cozy. It feels just like home.”

Similarly, Thom Whiddett, co-founder of London-based men's clothier Thom Sweeney, stated that the brand opened at 680 Madison Avenue this holiday “to look after our uptown clients.

Other luxury destinations opening on Madison Avenue just in time for the holiday season and the start of the 2019 season:

Greenwich, Connecticut-based sportswear brand, Boast, brought its country club, tennis-inspired aesthetic to their first permanent store, a 1,000-s.f. flagship at 694 Madison Avenue in December.

DECIEM, the “abnormal beauty company,” opened their first Upper East Side location at 611 Madison Avenue in December.

E by Equinox, the most elevated Equinox experience, featuring thoughtful luxuries and bespoke service, was “created for the Upper East Side” at 30 East 85 Street at Madison Avenue in December. The Madison Avenue location is their first in the US.

Gabriela Hearst, winner of the 2016/17 International Woolmark Prize for Womenswear and the 2018 recipient of the Pratt Institute Fashion Visionary Award, opened her first flagship salon in November at 991 Madison Avenue.  Her vision is to host talks and art exhibitions to create an inviting environment and sense of community on the Upper East Side.

L'Agence, a women's boutique displaying a California lifestyle with a French attitude, opened their first New York store at 1011 Madison Avenue in November.

Marc Jacobs Madison, a new destination that brings to life the world of Marc Jacobs across design, lifestyle and culture, opened in November at 655 Madison Avenue for a limited residency, offering the full “Redux Grunge Collection 1993/2018”, a café, and experiences that cannot be found anywhere else.

Outerwear brand Mackage opened a popup at 814 Madison Avenue in November after testing the Madison Avenue waters via a pop-up shop here last holiday season.  The brand is so pleased with the 814 Madison location that they will be opening a permanent flagship store in that space in the Spring.

Spring 2019 Retail Preview

Renowned American luxury brand Altuzarra will celebrate its 10th anniversary by opening its first retail destination at 956 Madison Avenue.

Ralph & Russo, the British fashion brand so well known for making the dress worn by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in her iconic engagement photo, opens at 680 Madison Avenue.

Reformation, a sustainable women's fashion brand, opens at 1055 Madison Avenue.

Iconic Italian shoe brand Sergio Rossi opens its first New York free-standing boutique at 680 Madison Avenue.

Fourth-generation, family-owned neighborhood gourmet shop Gentile's opens at their new location at 1118 Madison Avenue.

What Goes Around Comes Around, featuring luxury vintage apparel and accessories, opens their Upper East Side location at 21 East 67 Street.

“The foundation for a great new year of shopping opportunities was made in late 2018, with the opening of a host of new innovative and immersive new retail destinations,” said Matthew Bauer, President of the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District.  “The bedrock of that foundation is our loyal Upper East Side clients, who view Madison Avenue as their 'Main Street' where they shop, dine, exercise and plan their charitable functions. Simply put, the lives of our clients take their journey on Madison Avenue.”

For further information: www.madisonavenuebid.org