New Jersey’s “very own slice of Beverly Hills,” a shop that brings rodeo drive to both red bank and deal
by Laura D.C. Kolnoski • Photos By doug polle
An alluring destination providing a full sensory adventure, CoCo Parì’s flagship location in the heart of downtown Red Bank offers discerning fashionistas an experience within an experience. A catalyst for the transformation and resurgence of the hip borough along the scenic Navesink River when it opened 16 years ago, the store has evolved with Red Bank, becoming one of its most popular draws in an area often referred to as “Soho of the Shore.” Many who enter its doors make shopping there part of a multi-day visit, staying at waterfront hotels like The Molly Pitcher and Oyster Point, attending theatre events, and festivals, and enjoying eclectic, exciting dining at dozens of nearby restaurants.
The designer shoes, clothing, handbags, and accessories at CoCo Parì also make guests swoon. Men enjoy watching their significant others try on the latest alluring footwear by sought-after designers including Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Saint Laurent, Gianvito Rossi, Giuseppe Zanotti, and Valentino, to name a few. The boutique of choice for special occasion shoppers, CoCo Parì is also the go-to preference of professional women seeking to acquire complete wardrobes in one place. Those heading on vacation also steer here first for the perfect items to turn heads, regardless of their destinations.
Many customers travel from Bergen County, Staten Island, Philadelphia, and New York City to immerse themselves in CoCo Parì’s luxurious yet edgy boutique and its millions of dollars of inventory. Long-distance fashionistas have also fallen under the spell. With 250,000 Facebook fans, its positive buzz circles the planet, with clients in Europe, the Middle East, China, and Russia.
“Our loyal clientele knows VIP celebrity status is ready and waiting here in our version of upscale Manhattan or Beverly Hills shops,” said Kimberly Landau, owner and sole buyer of CoCo Parì. “They crave the energy and interpersonal interaction we provide, which cannot be experienced in department stores or between the shopper, a computer mouse, and the Internet. They enjoy our elegant yet hip ambiance, and revel in being pampered by our young enthusiast fashion consultants. CoCo Parì is about letting go and enjoying the experience of being spoiled.” They also enjoy the boutique’s awe-inspiring famous 50-foot shoe wall. Likened to a three-level townhome, the three-level, 10,000-square-foot flagship store is renowned for its personalized service. Landau selects only the most passionate, savvy style consultants and personally trains each to provide guidance and expert advice that glorifies each client’s style via an intimate and individualized approach. She stays on the scene to fully understand what customers want, too, which enhances her buying ability. The New York Post’s Page Six agrees, called the location “a hybrid of Bergdorf Goodman and Intermix.”
The boutique’s energy is enlivened by the staff’s fashion-forward enthusiasm and their own love of shopping for the best of the best. These personal shoppers help each customer find the ideal clothing and accessories, and excel at assisting family and friends in selecting surprise gifts. Staff guides visitors through the store, explaining sizes and styles, and when they sense the time is right, encourages taking chances, if only in the dressing room.
“The clothes must work for real women leading busy lives,” Kimberly said, adding new fashions arrive daily. “Here, you don’t have to search for what you seek or wave down a salesperson like in other stores. We won’t let you leave with something that doesn’t look great.” The goal in both the Red Bank and seaside Deal locations is to provide clothes, shoes, and accessories suitable for every occasion. The result is a retail fashion destination like no other.
Consultants guide customers through a highly edited collection of a wide range of the latest designer offerings from Hervé Léger, Valentino, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Yigal Azrouel, Victoria Beckham, Alexis, Chloe’ and Jitrois, the last brand one of the sexiest and most coveted leather lines in Paris (and exclusive to CoCo Parì), worn by Hollywood elite like Jennifer Lopez and Heidi Klum. Recently, certain select and lucky gentlemen were able to score Jitrois men’s blazers, and while upscale men’s clothing and shoes are not typically available at the store yet, that may soon change, Landau confided.
Every aspect of the high fashion haven reflects the owner/buyer’s keen eye and personal touch. Its distinctive décor is enhanced with chandeliers, animal prints, granite floors, large mirrors, and comfortable dressing rooms. Frugal shoppers get the royal treatment, too, she added; they can visit the store’s popular lower level, where a plethora of designer rarities and shoes are offered at up to 50% off.
Landau, a former model and Holmdel native, opened the original CoCo Parì in Deal at age 20, following a vacation to Miami’s South Beach with her husband, where she was enamored by the nightclub vibe and high level of service at the hip, chic shops there. She wanted to mimic that in Red Bank, but the town wasn’t quite ready for her retail concept. Despite not having a physical location, Landau purchased inventory from South Beach boutiques and wholesalers on the spot, and opened in Deal nearby, which turned out to be a great fit, literally and figuratively.
Two weeks after opening, Landau’s inventory completely sold out. Amazed and excited, she returned to South Beach to re-stock. Over time, she increased her sources by combing local boutiques and showrooms. She was among the first to “discover” trendsetting brands and young up-and-coming designers like Jimmy Choo and Yigal Azrouel, and the young entrepreneur began attracting attention. Major brands soon began calling her to carry their lines.
Deal’s success fueled the couple’s fire to turn their area of suburbia into a Las Vegas-Beverly Hills-Miami-type experience and make Red Bank’s downtown a desirable destination. Landau was determined to give women everything they need under one roof. Along with a savvy area real estate partner, they bought the building CoCo Parì currently occupies. That real estate family was also responsible for opening Wisteria, the beauty mecca and day spa that shares space with Landau’s boutique. Under Wisteria’s new owners, the vision is continuing and expanding into spa services.
They soon began purchasing real estate along Broad Street, and convinced major brands like Tiffany & Co. and Urban Outfitters to join Red Bank’s resurgence. Other retail establishments and restaurants followed, including Femme by Ashley, Catch seafood restaurant, and Gotham, a unique speakeasystyle eatery that doubles as an art gallery and turns into a nightclub in the evening. The area is now so popular, it requires valet parking at night. And unlike many borough retailers, CoCo Parì stays open until 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays to offer visitors a complete shopping/dining/entertainment experience.
Combining the boutique experience with all Red Bank has to offer has been a home-run, Landau said. Voted the third “Best Small Town in America” by Smithsonian magazine, the charming, historic borough has also won People’s Choice Awards for its downtown, arts district, riverside parks, marinas, and entertainment hub. Red Bank has two theaters, along with art galleries and live performances year ‘round, all walking distance from the store. The borough’s population (now an estimated 12,445 in just shy of 5,000 households) has experienced a steady rise since 2000, after a twenty year span of residential decline. Smithsonian, in its nomination announcement, referred to the area’s journey from “some lean, mean times” to “an astonishing cultural and economic comeback.”
“Red Bank is vibrant, exciting, and romantic, whether going to a restaurant like Patrizia’s for a family dinner or coming for a romantic getaway,” Landau said. “It’s so energizing here, you can feel it in the air, especially at night with a nightlife scene that’s just on fire at the moment.” Landau and her husband continue their mission as local boosters, and wield some serious clout (when they reached out to Tiffany & Co. as a prospective retailer, representatives returned the call within minutes).
“We want Red Bank to be the best downtown in the world, and actually for all New Jersey’s hot spots to be recognized,” she said. “Other towns can go through the same positive transformation Red Bank has; that is our main goal. It’s our mantra and yours [industry] to elevate the entire state and help New Jersey’s economy.”
With a smile, Landau’s parting advice to men was, “A happy wife is a happy life,” and that nothing makes women happier than designer shoes, especially from the luxury landmine known as CoCo Parì.
CoCo Pari
17 Broad Street, Red Bank / 732.212.8111
270 Norwood Avenue, Deal / 732.517.1227
cocopari.com