After 56 years in the Villages West and East, the legendary vintage and custom jewelry shop C'est Magnifique closes tomorrow.
Thomas Paladino writes in:
"My family has owned and operated a small downtown jewelry store called C'est Magnifique since 1959, and it will be closing permanently this weekend. We were originally located on MacDougal street in the West Village up until two years ago, when rising rents forced us to move to East 9th Street. Unfortunately, the new location was not as lucrative as our previous one, and combined with a death in the family of my uncle (who was the main proprietor of the shop for the last thirty years), the store will have to close its doors.
We have a rich and interesting history, having sold our wares to over five generations of the most interesting New Yorkers you can imagine, from all walks of life, including celebrity clients like Iggy Pop, Madonna, and Johnny Depp (among many others)."
At the shop's Facebook page, Alfred Albrizio III says farewell. He writes: "I learned so much from working with my father, and I plan to continue utilizing those skills and making jewelry. Although the physical space of C'est Magnifique will be gone, my family's legacy will live on. I am devoted to my craft and customers. I'll still be doing custom work and selling my original designs from my website which should be ready soon."
C'est Magnifique will be having a farewell party tomorrow, at the shop (328 East 9th St.) from 1:00 - 7:00pm. Light refreshments will be served. All are invited to come and say goodbye.
That's what I've been telling people all along...The Internet is the new New York City so I'm glad these jewelers can continue to build there business online.
ReplyDeleteI don't patronize places that brag about their celebrity customers. If you proudly ally yourself with those dbags you should go to Soho. The tourists and transplants love the celebrities.
ReplyDeleteThese were good hard working genuine people and any celebrity’s coming were because they did amazing work you didn’t find anywhere else. They were nice people to be around and had a shop cat with 3 legs thst was just the best ever. There was abundant history and beauty in that whole shop and it was honestly a magical place I’ll never forget. I Love that Family. They are very humble, and just reflecting on there crazy ride. And what a rude thing too write after a death. Don’t get it crossed, I don’t like celebrities either; but it says something about their work so many people who could frequent any shop they wanted, chose C’est magnifique.
DeleteSo sad to see them go. I wish them all the best. Glad to see you used my Iggy Pop Skull Ring album cover design Jeremiah!
ReplyDeleteMore Jane, Less Marc,
Mike
oh that SUCKS!! I have quite a few rings and an bracelet purchased from their MacDougal location I wonder what will happen to their fabulous inventory of vintage pieces....
ReplyDeleteI have to wonder what the difference in rent was with the new location and what part that had to play in the decision to close.
ReplyDelete@Binkydoll: Alfred plans to continue doing business over the web; his new business is called "Sterling Assault" and the site, of course, is http://www.sterlingassault.com; the phone number is (917) 648-8308. You can contact him at sterlingassault at gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI notice this block has been home to a few jewelers at any given time, and at this time only one is left: Verameat, who is located across the street.
I JUST LEARNED OF THIS. I wondered how this institution could survive at the new location. And realize how long it's been since I stopped in to say hello there. They should never have been forced from MacDougal- they were the old soul of a street that is rapidly disappearing into airport/sports bar/strip malldom. This treasure should have been a landmark or museum, not forced out. SO TERRIBLE.
ReplyDeleteI had two sterling silver rings custom made about 20 years ago. One Bull & one Unicorn head. Excellent craftsmanship. I was searching via the internet for their current location in order to have the rings remade as the originals were stolen last year. What a lousy way to find out that the shop was shuttered!
ReplyDelete