Muji Mania

Posted by Page, Home Editor

So. I've been giddy about this news for a week but have been unable to blog about it until now: Muji is opening a store here in New York! And there is talk of 20 to 30 more American locations to follow.

I've been somewhat scarily fixated on this Japanese store for a while (like some other editors here). Once upon a time, while living in London, I was lucky enough to be next-door-neighbors with a Muji. Once upon another time, I was lucky enough to visit the Tokyo flagship. I literally shook with excitement as I walked through the door, and I emerged with a suitcase packed with loot for myself and all my loved ones. Upon returning to New York, I sank into withdrawal. Sure, the MoMA Store sells some Muji, but hardly enough to take the edge off.

Why, you ask, am I (scarily) rambling about this store? Muji just gets everything right, from its little assorted candies in the most exquisite shades to cool handbags to an incredible raincoat that never goes out of style. And it's all affordable. Just a few of my favorite things:

(T-shirts vacuum-packed to the size of a tennis ball.)

(I keep these colored pencils on hand to use as gifts.) 

(My blue soup bowls, which also served as props when we made-over Sarah's apartment.)

(This CD player looks great hanging over my desk.)

(What better gift than a city-in-a-bag? They also sell Paris, London, and "Suburbia"!)

(I hoard stacks upon stacks of these no-frills notebooks.)

The 5,000-square-foot Muji will reside in the New York Times Building (set to open next fall on 8th Avenue between 40th and 41st). This would have been in wonderful relative proximity to Blueprint's offices -- except that we're set to move to Chelsea on Monday. Well, at least now I'll have a reason to come back and visit Midtown (sigh).

Comments

[fiona]

great to see so many muji lovers out there!
btw, muji are in germany - there's a store in munich and one in dusseldorf

[jenny]

oh wonderful wonderful, i hope one of their locations makes it to seattle (my hometown) :)

[Blueprint]

Hi Craig - Why, yes! It is indeed a player, not an organizer, that hangs above Page's desk (though Muji does have some great CD-storage options, too). Thanks for catching that typo, and the caption's fixed now.

[kayte]

i too am very excited about muji. and my husband works at the new york times which will soon occupy the same building. i think we will be having lunch dates a lot more often.

[Craig]

Um, that's a CD player.

http://www.ideo.com/portfolio/re.asp?x=50132

[Nat]

yeah!!! That is really awesome - I love going to London and buy stuff at Muji. They also have the most amazing traveling boxes for creams and shampoos and other things. And I love their cute travel sized office tools. The store is awesome. Hope it comes to Germany too - LOL!

[thatfigenshugirl]

I can't believe it! My prayers are answered! I am obsessed with Muji. It's like a cooler Container Store!

[margaux]

i love muji!! my brother lives in london and it's always a must-go-to shop every time I go.

[s]

i bought those bowls from a thrift store but didn't know where they came from (only that they were perfect). of course they're from muji! wish it would make it's way over to san francisco...