Talk of the imminent closure of long-time Nolita restaurant Café Colonial hit the rumor mill back in March to the disappointment of countless loyal patrons. I had been a patron since my days in school, when I would hit the unassuming corner café for some delicious Brazilian treats and to gawk at the long-legged models that cramped the teeny dining room most mornings.Thankfully, the former Cafe's new tenants could not be any cooler. Rag & Bone designers, David Neville and Marcus Wainwright, have transformed the comfy old-timer into a fashion Mecca for all things basic in a record, month-long renovation marathon. (The duo also went out of their way to restore and include some of theeatery's most charming architectural details - got to love a respectfulinvestor!) The minimalist boutique is the fourth Rag & Bone store in downtown Manhattan, which of course is merely a representation of the well-deserved growth the brand has seen in recent year.  What's unique about the shop is that unlike its sister outposts it will solely carry the brands three companion collections for women: rag & bone/JEAN, a variety of their famed pure form and function denim, rag & bone/SHIRT, offering seven styles of boyfriend-inspired shirting and rag & bone/KNIT, a small collection of the brands favorite 100% cotton styles. In addition, the old café's kitchen was reincarnated into a small shoe salon offering the label's celebrated footwear collection (I scored a pair of  rubber-soled brogues during opening night and have worn them every day since). If you are around the neighborhood make sure to add this stop to your Nolita go-tos.  


Rag & Bone
73 East Houston St.

PREVIOUSLY:
Rag and Bone Celebrate Their New Nolita Store With a Dinner at Pulino's.