Assouline just opened its first-ever U.S. store inside the Plaza Hotel. Not a bad choice: The shop overlooks the storied building's lobby—full of foreign tourists enjoying the weak dollar, of course—and is conveniently across from the Rose Bar, which will deliver Champagne as you browse. Knock back a few while checking out everything from the brand's Humidor Library to a one-off Goyard suitcase that comes stocked with pre-selected tomes, not to mention (of course) the brand's signature art titles. But the highlight is a vintage library curated by founder Prosper Assouline—with every title, from Barbie's Fashion Success to Babar Comes to America, for sale. In fact, only one thing inside the 1,000-square-foot location isn't available for purchase: that hippo skull in the picture.
768 Fifth Avenue, (212) 593-7236, NYC, assouline.com