I need to preface this by saying that there is an inordinate number of clothing stores that have started decorating with books these days, and I always have the same reaction: I’m walking past, and my gaze is pulled towards them, like a magnet, checking out the shelves – English or French? New or used? And then I realize that the books are for all intents and purposes being used as fancy wallpaper, like the empty books in The Great Gatsby, and that the only thing being sold is clothes. And I’m disappointed.
And while Merci is also using books as décor, somehow, it doesn’t bother me quite so much.
Merci is a multipurpose space that is at once trendy design concept store and café.
The books line the walls of the street-facing café itself, but the back of the space offers several shopping sections with jewelry, clothes, and home goods.
Plus, you can shop under a tree. I don’t love shopping, but I’m always game for shopping under a tree.
The store continues downstairs, where there is a second café dubbed the Cantine – more of a restaurant than the upstairs outpost – and further shopping options, including this industrial-looking space that I quite like. There’s also a cinema café next door (though still part of the Merci) family, that projects a classic movie on the wall every day.
(It’s kind of like someone sifted through seventeen-year-old me’s mind and built this space with the pieces.)
That said, while all of Merci is pretty awesome, I always tend to gravitate towards that little book nook over there.
(Seriously, though: How perfect is the book nook?)
Not only are you surrounded by books, but they put mint in the water and they have fancy teas. Honestly, what else could a girl ask for?
Merci -Â 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003