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I think all stores in the 100 to 200 block of 2nd street must feel the push to be some kind of gallery, since they’re residing in Old City gallery land. If you have retail space in this neighborhood and you don’t have free wine and a reason for people to enter your store at 7pm on a First Friday evening, then you’re missing out on an opportunity to make some bank. Maybe gallery goers aren’t ready to spend thousands on a piece of art, but they are willing to spend hundreds on a piece of “art something”. Why not have glasses be that art something? I know that Margot and Camille’s optical store is cashing in their fantastic retail space and fantastic wears.
Margot and Camille’s is an upscale, but not stuffy, optical store on 2nd Street. The retail space is warm and inviting with bright orange walls and hard wood floors. It’s layout is typical of Old City, it’s about 11 square feet of space with stairs that lead to a basement. Even in the small space Margot and Camille’s isn’t overwhelming or cluttered with glasses packed from floor to ceiling. Instead, the space feels cozy. Only a marginal part of the room is used for displaying the glasses. Why? Because only a very certain type of frame can be found here.
Picture this, if Swatch made glasses they would be stocked at Margot and Camille’s. The styles are very European, smart, art curator looking. My favorites are a pair of red Keith Hering style, 80s frames. There are a few pieces of jewelery on the wall and a mirror to admire yourself. This is a discerning store that doesn’t sell a whole bunch of everything, it’s a little bit of the best.
Of course, Margo and Camille’s has cashed in on their location. The store doubles as a gallery. This past Friday the store hosted a photography show, “Paris by a Parisian”.
Hours:
Monday: Closed. Tuesday: 10-6. Wednesday - Thursday: 10-6:30.
Friday: 9:30-5:30. Saturday 11-6. Sunday: 11-4.
Margot and Camille
142 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
http://www.margotcamille.com/
http://www.uwishunu.com/2007/10/16/margot-and-camille/#comments
