Where should a young brand that specializes in travel-themed jewelry (and general wanderlust) set up shop? In New York City’s Grand Central Terminal, of course.
So went the wise thinking of Nicole Parker King, founder and chief executive officer of emerging fine and demi-fine jewelry brand Jet Set Candy. The brand opened its first-ever retail store within the bustling, increasingly high-end retail walkways of the iconic train station on July 25. It sits in a great spot—right next to upscale luggage store Tumi and across from bougie candle and perfume purveyor Diptyque.
King, a sixth-generation New Yorker, founded Jet Set Candy in 2014 and tells JCK that from the moment she conceived of the brand, she’s dreamt of opening a store in Grand Central. “Since Jet Set Candy is completely travel-centric, there is no place on the planet that would be more ideal for a flagship store than Grand Central Terminal,” she says. “Some 750,000 people a day pass through the iconic structure—and during the holiday season that number swells to a million a day. There’s also a wonderful mix of tourists, as well as New Yorkers and commuters, and we have plenty of designs that represent the city and, of course, the world, so we have something for anyone walking through.”
The interiors of the 316-square-foot space reflect the color-drenched playfulness of the brand. Bright, candy-toned hues are splashed about everywhere—the ceiling is mint-green, and there’s a 6-foot-tall hot pink Statue of Liberty. Travel quotes cover the walls, and the custom-designed backlit cash wrap is swathed in a map of the world.
Jewelry—crafted in 14k gold vermeil, sterling silver, and solid 14k golds—ranges in price from $40 to $2,000. To celebrate the store’s debut, the brand launched the Passport Stamp collection, composed of charms modeled after the passport stamp designs of countries around the world.
Top: Jet Set Candy’s New York City charm collection (all photos courtesy of Jet Set Candy)
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