Want Les Essentials' Major Key, Fabulous Fanny's Water Troubles and More Retail News to Know

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WEST VILLAGE—The New York Times took a deep dive into the magic behind Want Les Essentials' bags. "They're expensive, but they make you look as if even if you're going to work, your job might be tolerable, even enviable," making the case that the company should use this particular aesthetic as a guidepost to create an equally-appealing brand — and, we'd add, more amazing stores.

CHELSEA—There is a thief on the loose. An envelope with $2,000 in cash was stolen from a safe inside Fashion Design Books (250 W 27th St), DNAinfo is reporting. Apparently, a manager locked the money in a safe and placed its key in an unlocked drawer, and the key promptly went missing the next day.

EAST VILLAGE—Fabulous Fanny's, a vintage eyeglass shop at 335 East Ninth Street, is temporarily closed due to water damage. EV Grieve is reporting that the ceiling collapsed because of a broken water pipe and caused $30,000 in damages. The store hopes to reopen on Saturday, February 27th. It's one of several businesses that's been affected by pipe problems, including but not limited to: Kenneth Cole on the Bowery, Pure Barre and City Row on the Upper East Side, Flying Tiger in Flatiron, and Drama Bookstore.