Michael Kors Kicks Out Jerry's!

Normally The Shophound would be bursting with excitement to let you all know that Michael Kors is set to open a lifestyle store at 101 Prince Street in SoHo for Spring 2008. Except that 101 Prince Street is currently the home of...Jerry's! One of our favorite SoHo restaurants that has been there for nearly 20 years, from the days when neighborhood was really an artist's community and gallery district. We just ate there the other week! (Such a good chicken sandwich). Ordinarily, we would be rushing to tell you that the new store, Kors' second in Manhattan, will focus on accessories with additions from all three of the reality-show-judge/designer's three apparel lines, unlike the  Madison Avenue location which is strictly a Collection boutique. But who cares! Jerry's is getting kicked out! You see, we like to eat almost as much as we like to shop.

An update plus a note from the Realtor after the jump

Normally, we are not the sort who cry over every store closure and real estate change, but Jerry's was always sort of iconic for us, with portions so large you were guaranteed a second meal at home with the leftovers. And we liked the fries when they were hot right out of the kitchen. At least it's not like the late Tennessee Mountain, which is being turned into (yes, it's true) a Crocs store.
Photo from Eater

UPDATE: We just received this message from Michael Hirschfeld of Urban Retail Real Estate Group, who rented this space,

Your bemoaning the potential loss of Jerry’s – and I am sure if his business can support being in Soho he will be able to re-locate in the neighborhood but not on Prince St – is understandable.  We all hate to see things we consider part of our past change or disappear.  However, the realities are also that no-one wants to live above the odors and vermin that are often associated with a restaurant – and if you walk by Jerry’s or any restaurant about an hour after closing and see the 5 ft high pile of garbage you might appreciate more why landlord’s given the opportunity to replace a restaurant with a dry, fashion use, with better credit, would jump at the opportunity.

I have placed dozens of tenant’s in Soho over the years and some have thrived and some have struggled.  Soho has seen its own cycles over the past 30 years and will, no doubt see more.  Jerry’s had a good run and I am sure they will have another one in their new home.

Well, Michael is obviously unaware of exactly how much time The Shophound has spent in SoHo. We are intimately familiar with the apparently "vermin infested" living conditions of multimillion dollar lofts near retaurants. Yeah, it's tragic down there, because none of the restaurants anywhere else in the city leave their garbage on the street. But really, we weren't born yesterday. We just didn't realize that Jerry's was no longer deserving of a Prince Street address. We just hope Michael isn't responsible for the Crocs store. Because that would be unforgivable.

Crisis Reverted: Jerry's Shuttering (Eater)
Kors to Open SoHo Store (WWD)
previously: Disturbing Developments: Crocs Are Coming?