January
2006
Genius Gets Company
Nevermind that Genius Jones - the newest addition
to Miami's Design District - is practically minutes
old. It already has a loyal clientele, exclusivity
rights and its own TV show. How's that for its first
month of business?
The store, which opened this second location on
November 28 (the first opened in South Beach in January
2003), is the brainchild of husband-and-wife team
Daniel Kron and Geane Brito and features furniture,
housewares, toys and a smattering of really different,
funky clothing. (Store No. 1 remains home to the
majority of Genius Jones's apparel offerings).
The launch of the second
location is the subject of "Opening Soon by Design," a new reality
series launching in the spring (produced by the Fine
Living Channel), which is an episodic exposé on
what it's like to start a retail business - everything
from drawing up blueprints to the grand opening celebration.
Kron said he's in "unbelievable company," citing
Fendi, Oscar de la Renta and American Apparel as
other subjects profiled.
The shop itself has been
compared to a museum, with design its foremost
principle. A glass-door entrance leads to a sparse,
Scandinavian-inspired place: The front room is
clean with white shelves; another with 20-foot
ceilings is shaped like a tent; and the back of
the store boasts David Netto's 350-square-foot
flagship showroom. "David was really keen on
finding a place to properly represent his product;
to show it in the right environment," Kron explained. "We
gave him that opportunity."
In addition to Netto's progressive designs, Genius
Jones also features Offi, Agatha Ruiz de la Prada,
and Bugaboo strollers (Bas Kosters was the first
designer asked to transform the stroller into his
own creation; as such, Bugaboo By Bas is offered
at Genius Jones - one of only three exclusive retailers).
What's on tap for Genius
Jones's future? Orbit stroller systems are coming
in as soon as possible (probably June, Kron said)
and a full-on e-commerce Web site is coming in
March. "We want to be a serious
online player," explained Kron.
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