More Meatpacking Action: Iris & Ports 1961

And progress marches on. Italian shoe manufacturer Iris has announced that they will take on the giant shoe department at Jeffrey and open their first American store at 827 Washington Street between Gansevoort and Little West 12th Streets. No idea who they are? Not surprising because they produce shoes under license for Chloé (pictured), Marc Jacobs, John Galliano and other major designers, all of which will be included in the new shop. The location was chosen for its proximity to the proposed downtown branch of The Whitney Museum of American Art, though knowing the Whitney's track record with proposed expansions, we will believe that one when we see it being built.
Around the corner at 3 Ninth Avenue, Canada's Ports 1961 will re-enter the retail business in the U.S. with a boutique, leading us to believe that in the very near future, that stinky meatpacking smell will be gone from the neighborhood. Since the area has been irrevocably changed, that's probably a good thing in the end.