Catbird was founded 17 years ago—before there was Instagram, before branding was a verb, before founder Rony Vardi and soon-to-be chief creative officer Leigh Plessner knew how big their jewelry impact would be.
Now, in 2022, the duo recently closed its Bedford Avenue store and opened a new Williamsburg location at 108 N. 7th in Brooklyn, N.Y., bringing in a fresh look for the beloved brand and adding more space for customers to interact, learn, and play with jewelry, they say.
The mood is both classic and eclectic apothecary–meets–upscale vintage. It celebrates color, catches the eye with “splashes of joy,” and serves as a tribute to the fun of hanging out with people as well as in-store shopping, Vardi and Plessner say.
“We really wanted this space to feel like the Catbird Emporium—a blend of the loved details from past store iterations, combined with an ode to European pharmacies and old bookstores,” Plessner says. “The design of the space is centered around white marble, white lace tablecloths, black lace curtains, silver antique trays, off-kilter chandeliers, Venetian mirrors, and touches of the unexpected and modern.”
Vardi, who started the business because she wanted to be her own boss, says the new store’s design is about customer experience as well.
“The much larger shop really allows for customers to interact with, try on, and have more of a conversation around the jewelry,” Vardi says.
The store’s signature Catbird jewelry speaks to current and forever trends, such as vintage pieces and colored gemstones.
“The vintage design touches echo our general design ethos of creating jewelry that can be worn and loved forever,” Vardi says. “Many of our pieces feature recycled diamonds and recycled 14k gold—what’s old is new again.”
Plessner agrees, noting the “bright, bright green” that starts at the store’s front door and continues inside to the jewelry display case.
“This splash of color sparks the joy we want you to feel in our store and when you wear one of our pieces,” Plessner says. “It’s also a hint to expect to see more colored gemstones from us this year.”
Customers will see a lot of new pieces and collections coming this year, the duo says. They hope that people will come in to see the space and have a jewelry experience, especially if they’re interested in a permanent bracelet—a trend that seems to have become permanent in stores as well.
“We’re excited to be able to accommodate six ‘zapping’ stations for our signature welding services. We’re also hoping to add ear-piercing services to the space later this spring,” Vardi says.
Catbird opened its former Williamsburg store as its flagship in 2004; the North 7th Street store opened earlier in March. It also will have a second-floor ring annex that is scheduled to open later this summer.
Its other New York locations include the Wedding Annex at 103 Metropolitan Ave. in Brooklyn and its SoHo store at 253 Centre St. in Manhattan.
Top: Catbird recently opened a new location at 108 N. 7th St. in Brooklyn, N.Y., that it is calling its Emporium, featuring a joyous green door and interior colors (photos courtesy of Catbird and Max Burkhalter).
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