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Kiehl’s Since 1851 will open its first Midwest flagship store this Thursday, November 17 in The Shops at North Bridge. The new store will be Kiehl’s second store in Chicago and brings a modern New York apothecary to Chicago, evoking the company’s original East Village roots and blending antique apothecary fixtures with neon touches. The interior is environmentally friendly with the use of natural, sustainable materials and energy-efficient light fixtures.
With 19-ft ceilings (higher than any other Kiehl's nationwide) that allow graphics and iconic Kiehl’s imagery to tell the Kiehl’s story in a more impactful way than ever before. The ceiling will house a scale replica of a bi-plane originally owned by Aaron Morse, the second-generation family member who headed the company beginning in the 1960s. Mr. Morse collected vintage airplanes, racing cars and motorcycles, and displayed selections from his collection in the original store. Iconic Kiehl’s elements will loom larger than at any other previous store, from the 42” chandelier to the 19-ft. pop-art-inspired bottle graphics adorning the walls.
The new store features dual entrances – both in the mall and on Michigan Avenue – and a number of features unique to the space. A men’s destination will be highlighted with a hand-painted piece designed by the Am I Collective, incorporating Kiehl’s icons such as “Mr. Bones,” the company’s teaching skeleton, and motorcycle and airplane imagery. A photo of the original Kiehl’s apothecary in New York will be brought to life by a neon “blade” sign, a replica of an early store fixture, and a timeline above the cash wrap will take customers through Kiehl’s storied history. In keeping with the company’s community spirit, the store also features an in-store photo booth and both magnetic and digital photo walls that allows customers to leave their mark at the store.
· Kiehl's [Official Site]