The NYC Store Openings We're Most Anticipating for the Rest of 2015

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Uptown and Midtown

COS, 505 Fifth Avenue

Why we care: Because after waiting more than two years for H&M's Collection of Style (that acronym could also stand for cool older sister) to arrive in New York, the Swedish retailer is doubling the brand's presence here in just a matter of months, moving uptown to a former H&M outpost—albeit with a much smaller footprint—on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street.
When to expect it: The brand said that they're planning to open in 2015 back in July, but didn't specify a date or even a season.

Elie Saab, 860 Madison Avenue

Why we care: It's the red carpet-favorited designer's first stateside store. He looked at locations for more than a year before deciding on 860 Madison Avenue (formerly a Juicy Couture) to be in the company of Chloé, Tom Ford, Prada, and Celine.
When to expect it: An exact date hasn't been set, but it's likely that the brand would want to open its doors before the holiday season.

Microsoft, 677 Fifth Avenue

Why we care: In the vein of "keep your friends close and your enemies closer," the Seattle-based tech giant is opening a flagship store just a few blocks south of the Apple Cube (which, in an unrelated move, is about to be renovated) in the former home of Fendi.
When to expect it: We spoke with Microsoft representatives over the summer, who said that they're pushing for an opening right before the holiday season.

View Pictures/Getty Images

Muji Fifth Avenue, 475 Fifth Avenue

Why we care: Sure, there's four other locations to shop the affordable Japanese brand of home goods and fashion basics around Manhattan right now, but this flagship across the street from the New York Public Library will be the largest in the country and include special offerings like embroidery, an aroma lab, and a food market.
When to expect it: October 15th Late October

Peruvian Connection, 341 Columbus Avenue

Why we care: The womenswear brand has plenty of stores around the United States, but none yet in New York. Expect to find globally-inspired clothing and accessories, plus plenty of soft alpaca wool.
When to expect it: The doors should open by the end of this month.

Downtown

Acne Studios, 60 Eighth Avenue

Why we care: The Swedish brand isn't very generous when it comes to doling it out its stores—there's just two in the United States right now, including one on Soho's Greene Street.
When to expect it: Acne Studios has confirmed to us that the West Village store, which first sported signage when it was barely spring, is indeed on track for a fall opening; an exact date could not be specified.

Shot by Jake

Cire Trudon, 248 Elizabeth Street

Why we care: Because in a city that's often filled with less-than-desirable smells, you can't have enough fancy candle shops. It's also the historic brand's first stateside store, following a pop-up shop in 2011, and will be joining the likes of nose-pleasing stores like Le Labo and Diptyque on the same block.
When to expect it: An October opening was predicted when news originally broke; the brand's website just says "Coming Soon."

Hermès Perfumerie, 230 Vesey Street

Why we care: Out of all the luxe stores left to come at Brookfield Place (Gucci, Ermenegildo Zegna, Calypso St. Barth, and a certain department store we discuss in detail below), here's one where you kind of afford some stuff. While a variety of the French brand's accessories will be available—like silk scarves, shoes, and bangles—the highlight here is the fragrance selection, including a New York-specific candle.
When to expect it: The store that'll look "like a really small apartment with a garden" will open in the middle of this month.

Kith, TBD

Why we care: Fresh off of revamping his Brooklyn store—complete with a cereal bar—comes the news that Ronnie Fieg is planning to open an outpost for womenswear. Details on the location are scant and conflicting, as we've heard Bleecker Street and Soho mentioned in the same sentence.
When to expect it: Current projections mark a December opening.

Ray Ban, 116 Wooster Street

Why we care: The uber-popular sunglasses brand doesn't have its own outpost in New York City right now. And if the suggestive signage it had up recently is any indication of what's to come, then this store will be nothing short of a good time.
When to expect it: Unclear. The last time we popped by the Soho storefront the interior was heavily under construction, and its existence isn't mentioned on neither the brand's website nor social media.

Thomas Samson/Getty Images

Repetto, 400 West Broadway

Why we care: Ballerina flat lovers across the city are anxiously awaiting its first-ever stateside store, which will sidle up against fellow French brand Ladureé at the old Robert Lee Morris space.
When to expect it: The most recent reports pegged its opening to November.

Totokaelo, 54 Crosby Street

Why we care: The hit Seattle boutique is flying cross-country to open its doors here for the first time, bringing brands like Haider Ackermann, The Row, Dries van Noten, and Marni to men and women that the founder believes will draw in "creative intellectuals
When to expect it: September 12th.

Zara Soho, 503 Broadway

Why we care: Just like Muji, the international brand that's already well-represented in Manhattan is getting us excited about its biggest location here to date. We're expecting to find every a broad selection for every merchandise category, and crossing our fingers that home goods makes an appearance.
When to expect it: Its massive construction facade reads "Coming Soon" right now, and it'll likely debut in the next few months.

The construction facade at Saks Fifth Avenue in Brookfield Place

Bonus Section: 2016

Sure, we'll be buying new calendars before we're buying anything in these stores, but that hasn't stopped us from thinking about them on a fairly regular basis.

The Row: When news first broke that the Olsen twins would open up the luxe brand's second-ever store in an Upper East Side townhouse, they were aiming to open by the end of 2015; now, more recent reports point to "early next year."

Karl Lagerfeld Paris: The Chanel designer is reviving his defunct contemporary label (not to be confused with his eponymous line) with a New York flagship, the location and debut of which have yet to be disclosed.

Tory Sport: While we'll first get a first taste of the Tory Burch's first activewear line at the Elizabeth Street store during Fashion Week, its permanent store won't arrive at Flatiron's 129 Fifth Avenue until March.

Barneys New York Chelsea: It's been nearly a year since we heard that the department store was planning to open its downtown flagship this coming January, so we've reached out to the brand for an update and will let you know when we hear back.

Saks Fifth Avenue Brookfield Place: The crown jewel of this Financial Districtshopping center has been gunning for a spring 2016 opening since it was first announced. Its Brookfield Place page, however, just says "Coming Soon."