New store openings: What’s coming in 2015

“All these new store openings are slowly removing the thrill of traveling,” my friend Ginggay noted.
“Wala pang Ikea,” I said.
“Ikea would be the game changer,” Ginggay said.
“We would no longer be third world,” I said.
While waiting for Ikea to come here, here are eight stores you can look forward to in 2015:

1) Ladurée
What: French luxury bakery and sweets maker known world-famous double-decker macarons
Where and when: May 15 at Lopez Tower, Rockwell
Owner: H&F Retail Concepts, Inc.
https://www.laduree.com/

2) PB Teen
What: Teen version of Pottery Barn offering an entire collection of furniture and decor just for teens. Expect an exclusive range of furniture, bedding, lighting, accessories and gifts for every teen’s bedroom, study area, lounge space and more.
Where and when: Mid 2015 at Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Pasig
Owner: Stores Specialists Inc.
http://www.pbteen.com/

3) West Elm
What: Launched in Brooklyn NY in 2002, West Elm offers a complete assortment of products for the home including furniture, bedding, bathroom accessories, rugs, curtains, lighting, decorative accessories, dinnerware, kitchen essentials, and gifts.
Where and when: Between second and third quarter of 2015 at Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Pasig
Owner: Stores Specialists Inc.
http://www.westelm.com/

4) Maisen
What: Old school tonkatsu restaurant close to my heart because it is in the heart of Aoyama (walking distance from my friend Sayoko Hokazono’s store. Known for its deep-fried pork cutlets and sandwiches, the Aoyama restaurant has a variety of rooms including Japanese rooms, bars, and high-ceilinged western-style rooms.
Where and when: Opening third quarter of 2015 at SM Megamall, followed by SM North Edsa and Bonifacio High Street
Owner: Suyen Corporation/Bench group
http://mai-sen.com/

5) Pablo
What: Originally from Osaka, people line up for its Baked Cheese Tart, which has a gooey creamy center. Choose your preferred firmness—medium or rare.
Where and when: Opening third quarter of 2015 at SM Megamall, followed by Robinsons Ermita and Greenbelt
Owner: Suyen Corporation/Bench group
http://www.pablo3.com/

6) Danish Bar
What: Founded in Japan in 2010, it is known for its baked goods—either cigar-shaped dough or balls that come in different variants—with apples, sugar, maple, hotdog, macadamia, chocolate, cinammon, and more.
Where: Opened this January at SM North Edsa’s Main Mall, near National Bookstore
Owners: Andrew and Beryl Ong
https://www.facebook.com/danishbarSHOP

7) Dean & Deluca
What: First opened in 1977 in SoHo, New York, the specialty food store has evolved into a café setting with additional locations in the US, as well as Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea and The Middle East.
Where: Opening this February in Rockwell
Owner: Caroline Tanchay
http://www.deandeluca.com/

8) Linda Farrow
What: Luxury eyewear brand established in 1970, known for its cutting-edge designs and collaborations with some of the world’s most acclaimed designers (Dries Van Noten, Oscar de la Renta, The Row, Matthew Williamson, Kris van Assche, Jeremy Scott among them).
Where: Now open at City of Dreams Manila
Owners: Simon Jablon and Tracy Sedino
https://int.lindafarrow.com/