Italian Whimsy in Store for Soho

Italian Whimsy in Store for Soho

Italian accessories company Braccialini is bringing its whimsical, luxurious handbags and shoes to SoHo with its first U.S. location.

Emilia Pedulla, a franchisee for the firm, which is based in Florence, Italy, recently signed a 10-year lease for a 200-square-foot shop at 436 W. Broadway, between Prince and Spring streets.

The shop will carry a selection of Braccialini’s unique handbags and other accessories, including a line of owl-shaped leather purses, as well as belts, eyewear, umbrellas and shoes. Its handbag prices range from $100 to more than $1,000.
Ms. Pedulla searched several Manhattan neighborhoods for suitable space, but SoHo won out. “She looked for about a year and a half,” says Diane Mandel, the Lansco Corp. broker who represented Ms. Pedulla in the deal. “Madison Avenue was a little expensive, and the meatpacking district was too quiet.”

Asking rent was about $840 a square foot. CHRISTOPHER OWLES, a principal at Sinvin Realty, negotiated on behalf of landlord 436 Realty Corp.