Viyet.com, an online consignment shop for designer furnishings, is hitting up a new market – Los Angeles.
The New York company will be expanding its services this week to allow Angelenos to sell their high-end home furnishings through the company’s website.
Elizabeth Brown, Viyet’s chief executive, said the expansion also gives the retailer a chance to offer more merchandise to shoppers.
“Los Angeles is the biggest West Coast design hub,” Brown said in a statement. “It was the natural next step for Viyet as we seek to further expand our merchandise selection and community of design-savvy consignors and buyers.”
Viyet launched in 2013 and partners with interior designers to help curate collections while also giving designers and clients a platform to sell their luxury furniture. It sells some of the top designers and brands such as Jonathan Adler, Campana Brothers, Philippe Starck and Knoll.
Customers in Los Angeles will be able to call on a team of local curators for help. The team ensures clients receive a “white-glove selling experience” by physically evaluating each piece, photographing it and coordinating pickup and delivery of the merchandise to the buyer.
As part of this week’s launch, Viyet will be releasing about 500 items consigned by L.A. showrooms, interior designers and individuals.
French Meets Downtown
Husband-and-wife restaurateurs Frederic and Fabienne Soulies sold everything and left their home in France to start Pitchoun, a French bakery and pastry shop that opened last week.
The venture is located at the PacMutual building near Pershing Square and features an outdoor seating area.
Fabienne Soulies said that after attending school in San Francisco almost 20 years ago, he knew that one day he wanted to come back and make California his home.
Pitchoun, which translates roughly as “kiddo,” offers diners homemade pastries and artisan breads that are made at the café. There is also a grab-and-go area featuring soups and salads. And, of course, there are shelves filled with homemade French pastries, such as macaroons, and candied fruits.
The décor features crafted chairs imported from France and wine barrels repurposed into tables as well as a large fireplace and more than 100 French books for guests to read.
Guests will also be able to order breakfast and lunch items. Pending liquor license approval, it expects to carry more than 80 organic niche wines.
Revolving Doors
Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance has announced that retailers Zara, H&M and Victoria’s Secret will be opening there this fall. … Indian restaurant Mint Leaf opened in Pasadena this month. … Barrel Down, a downtown L.A. beer hall and restaurant, is expected to open this month. The bar will have 40 taps of American craft beer as well as cocktail and wine selections. … Brentwood’s interval-training studio Burn 60 has opened a second location, at shopping center Lakes at Thousand Oaks. It also expects to open another location, in West Hollywood, this summer. … Wal-Mart expects to open a store in Compton next year, which will offer produce, home goods and pharmacy services. … Cava Grill, a Washington, D.C.-based Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant, plans to expand outside its home market to Los Angeles this year after receiving additional funding. An exact date has yet to be announced. … Fast-casual restaurant Picnic LA will be opening this month in Culver City with an emphasis on seasonal vegetables and salads. … Nike opened its redesigned store at Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade last month. … Vernon denim manufacturer True Religion Apparel Inc. opened its first flagship store in New York’s SoHo neighborhood last month. It’s the company’s largest retail location, at about 3,000 square feet.
At Your Service
Digital invitation and social planning website Evite in West Hollywood has named Perry Evoniuk chief technology officer. Evoniuk previously was director of information systems for Amgen. … Miracle Mile’s Umami Restaurant Group has named Gregg Frazer vice president of operations. Frazer previously served as chief operating officer and corporate chef for VooDoo BBQ.
Staff reporter Subrina Hudson can be reached at [email protected] or (323) 549-5225, ext. 251.
