A Store Is Born: Downtown

When you’re alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go...shopping. Following the success of his San Francisco men's shop, the Archive, Michael Kelter has opened Downtown, arguably the only store in town for gals of the edgy persuasion. Okay, so our cheap rendition of Petula Clark's classic song pales next to hers, but did she have Balmain, Haider Ackermann, Natalia Brilli, or 30-something other labels from Japan, Italy, France and Germany—most of them exclusive? We think not.

Located at 55 Maiden Lane, on a posh block not far from Chanel and YSL, the boutique radiates a similar vibe to the men’s outpost, which is to say black and gritty—but in the super-chic and exclusive way. Only a month old, the shop is a break from the chains for Bay Area shoppers and a new reason to go...downtown. Bonus: this fall, Kelter also debuts a jewelry collection made in collaboration with local jewelry designer Geoffrey Young.

• Posted Aug 30, 2010
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