"Restoration Hardware has buzz, goods, but no permit" by Mark Shanahan | Globe Staff, March 18, 2013
Even after the over-the-top party and a photo-op ribbon-cutting, the lavish store in the heart of the trendy Newbury Street shopping district isn’t open. And it’s not clear when it will be.
The packed party on March 6 caused a sensation, which apparently is what Gary Friedman, the silver-haired CEO emeritus of Restoration Hardware, was hoping for. At the meeting with consultants the day before, when the executive was cautioned that the building could be overrun, he was unbothered, according to people in the room. With approval to host 1,200 guests, party organizers had mailed invitations — many in a black box containing an iPod Shuffle — to more than 5,000 people.
While Restoration Hardware had a permit for its party, city inspectors say it won’t be open for business until issues related to the building’s fire alarm, exhaust system, and the store’s unique — and uniquely complicated — elevator are resolved. For now, the alley behind the building remains cluttered with ladders and hydraulic lifts, while well-heeled would-be shoppers can only peer through the oversized doors at an elegant showroom stocked with statues, urns, and vintage camelback chairs.
“Bringing a building of this historic age up to code is not a typical process,” a store spokeswoman said in an e-mail this week.
According to city officials, the opening — the real one — is still weeks away.
“They may have gotten a little ahead of themselves in their enthusiasm to show the world what they’ve done with a very significant building in Boston,” said Bryan Glascock, commissioner of the city’s Inspectional Services Department. “At this point, the ball’s sort of in their court. They can let us know when they’re ready for final inspection.”
It was nearly two years ago that Restoration Hardware — now branded simply as RH — announced plans to move into the historic Berkeley Street building, the 150-year-old former home of the New England Museum of Natural History and, more recently, the luxury emporium Louis Boston....
The party started at 6:30 p.m. and within 20 minutes the first floor was so crowded guests could barely move in any direction. People were entering through doors on Berkeley and Newbury streets, while others bypassed the long lines outside and were led in through the catering entrance. Hemmed in, helpless servers held aloft trays of purple artichoke and green garlic risotto, port-soaked figs with goat cheese on flatbread crisps, and mini lobster rolls. Cipriani Bellini cocktails served in champagne glasses would appear and immediately be grabbed by grumbling and bewildered guests.
Yeah, some people aren't affected by hunger or the Grand Depression.
Remember when that scum John Edwards said there were two economies back in 2004? His presidential aspirations were soon over; however, he proved to be a prophet.
As for this article, it is obvious that this reporter was invited. That's why it is on the front-page.
As for the Globe itself, I'm sick of Jewish supremacism and elitism passing itself off as news; however, I shouldn't be surprised. The simple fact is the Globe is only serving it's dwindling readership.
Six Zionist Companies Own 96% of the World's Media
Declassified: Massive Israeli manipulation of US media exposed
Operation Mockingbird
Why Am I No Longer Reading the Newspaper?
Oh, now my newspaper makes perfect sense!
Back to the party:
“I thought I was at the seafood show and this was the sardine can exhibit,” said Charles Hotel owner Dick Friedman.
“This will go down as one of the all-time worst planned events in Boston party history,” Janet Prensky, a partner at the Boston PR firm Aigner/Prensky Marketing Group, tweeted the night of the party.
By 7:30 p.m., police and fire officials were on the scene shooing people from the doors and ordering the store to pull the plug on the music and cease food and drink service.
“It was a happening event. There were a lot of people obviously very interested in the store and the location, and that’s a good thing,” said Thomas DeSimone, a partner in W.S. Development, one of the building’s owners....
Despite the violation of building codes?
Joyce Kulhawik, the former TV reporter who’s something of a fixture on Boston’s social circuit, was on the party’s host committee. She arrived early with Marilyn Riseman and found a cozy seat on one of RH’s expensive couches. Her husband was not so lucky.
“He never made it inside. When he got to the door, [the police] told him, ‘This party is over,’ ” she said, laughing. “You might not deliberately plan to do a party that way, but at least everyone’s talking about Restoration Hardware.”
And it’s not even open.
I regret opening a Globe every day.
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UPDATE: Restoration Hardware to take second crack at opening Saturday
I think I'm just going to let this story decay, folks.
UPDATE: Iconic Cambridge hardware store holds its last sale
