New York - October 31, 2005

It Takes Two

Lolli Boutique

Going into business with your significant other? A potentially lethal business plan. (Tina and Ike. Tom and Kat.)

But designers McCarthy and Simmons seem to be doing pretty well for themselves. The duo behind handbag line Lolli has just opened a new retail shop (of the same name) showcasing knit pieces, hand-cut leather jackets, recreated vintage ready-to-wear, accessories, and a beautiful collection of reworked furniture.

You can spend a whole afternoon hanging out in the boutique. In fact, McCarthy and Simmons encourage loitering. They’ve set up cushy chairs and chaise lounges, a display of vintage fashion mags, a comic book figure collection, and a sweet Xbox. Between costume changes, feel free to hang out with their pet birds or Snoofy, their Chihuahua.

Some might call it mixing business with pleasure.

We call it a good business model.

Lolli, 85 Stanton Street, between Allen Street and Orchard Street (212-529-2030 or lolli-reincarnation.com).