Independents

See Broken English’s New York City Expansion

IndependentsMay 10, 2023

See Broken English’s New York City Expansion

The Downtown Manhattan jewelry store has set up shop just a few doors down from its previous location.

The new Broken English store in Downtown Manhattan
On the same block as its previous location, the new Broken English store is a brighter, lighter, and more luxurious version of its predecessor. (Image courtesy of Kathryn Wirsing)
New York—Broken English may have started in Los Angeles, but Downtown New York City is firmly part of the jewelry store’s DNA.

So much so that its new Gotham location is just a few doors down from its previous outlet opened nearly a decade ago on Crosby Street in the SoHo neighborhood.

“It was only supposed to be a three-year pop-up,” founder and owner Laura Freedman explained of the original Crosby Street storefront, which connects to an AllSaints clothing store, though the concept was so successful that it stuck around.

At the approximately 400-square-foot jewel box New Yorkers could experience Anita Ko, Foundrae, Buddha Mama, Colette, Graziela, and Sevan Bıçakçı, among others, in person.

20230510_BrokenEnglish-2.jpg
Broken English owner and founder Laura Freedman pictured in the new Broken English location at 42 Crosby St. in Downtown Manhattan.


The bustle of designer stores and fast-fashion shops in the shopping mecca that is SoHo keeps foot traffic reliable, but the comparative quiet of Crosby Street with its romantic cobblestones has a way of funneling out the hordes of tourists most interested in the Nike store.

In short, the location was, and is, ideal for a jewelry store.

Even as Broken English stayed on past its original three-year timeline and outgrew the space at 56 Crosby St., Freedman couldn’t imagine the New York outpost anywhere other than its current block.

She patiently waited for the perfect spot to open up and, now, her patience has paid off.

Moving a few storefronts south has breathed new life into the store, designed by architect Armand LeGardeur and decorated entirely by Freedman herself to feel like “an extension of my home,” she said.

20230510_BrokenEnglish-1.jpg
A vintage Murano glass “Palmette” chandelier is an arresting central design element of the new store.


More than double the previous space at 900 square feet and illuminated by large windows that make the most of every inch, a vintage pink Murano glass “Palmette” chandelier provides a central focal point around which showcases and built-in shelving seem to revolve.

Vintage Negro Marquina credenzas and a Fontana Arte umbrella stand punctuate the main gallery, which, in addition to Broken English’s many designers, features home items Freedman has been helping to design for the last several years as well as the antique and vintage jewels she curates.

“It’s much more open,” Freedman said of the new location. “It was time to really elevate [the store] and have the ability to have parties, host designers, and have a VIP room to meet with clients.”

The VIP area, separate from the main show floor and accessed via a hallway adorned with mid-century J.T. Kalmar lighting, amplifies the new space’s luxurious aesthetic with its impeccable furnishings, like a Carlo Nason pendant light and sconces, Tobia Scarpa “Soriana” couch and chair, an antique Persian rug, Mastercraft coffee table, and Paul Evans credenza.

20230510_BrokenEnglish-3.jpg
The 42 Crosby St. space has a private room for helping clients.


“It was really important for us to have this space that was inviting, really unarming, something where everyone felt welcome,” Freedman said of her overall design mission.

For the store owner who opened her shop in 2006, luxury should feel warm rather than intimidating.

“It’s a little bit of a nod to old-school glam but not too precious. We want people to feel comfortable in the store and not feel like it’s overdone or over stylized. I want everyone to feel welcome.”

The new Broken English opened its doors late last month. It’s located at 42 Crosby St. Broken English’s Los Angeles location is at Brentwood Country Mart. 

 Related stories will be right here …

The Latest

QVC Group Inc. logo
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.

The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.

Coconut Grove Jewelry & Watch Show
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in Florida

The debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.

The Jewelry Symposium (TJS)
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor Shortage

The roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.

bench jeweler 1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They Deserve

Bench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.

Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann Collection Bracelets
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry Collection

The “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.

Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Graphic for What Do We Mean When We Say “Recycled” Gold webinar
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?

Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.

Mindi Mond Clarity Earrings
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in Diamonds

Diamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.

Facets-of-Fire-Difference-You-Can-See.jpg
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean More

Natural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.

Lashbrook ring
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With Acquisition

The Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.

Bulgari and LVMH Watches CEO Jean-Christophe Babin
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH Watches

The longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.

Surveillance footage of robbery
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry Store

Authorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.

Nephrite and Jadeite by Heinrich Fischer, Richard W. Hughes
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in English

Lotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.

LÖF The Valentine Ring
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ Ring

The ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.

Eggs on a shelf
SurveysMar 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls in March Amid ‘Gloomy’ Outlook

The Conference Board’s index fell as consumers continued to worry about the impact of tariffs, the labor market, and the price of eggs.

Richard Rainsford memorial ring
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction

However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.

Austin Butler
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand Ambassador

The Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.

ICA Congress Brazil 2025
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress

The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.

Bulova 150 Art Deco Miss America Watch, 150 Art Deco Pocket Watch
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco Watches

The “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.

Alex Wellen
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New President

Alex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.

Jewelers of America’s new logo
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative

The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.

Christies regent kashmir sapphire and regal Burmese ruby
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat Ruby

The ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.

Diamond earrings held in gloved hand
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft Recovered

The two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.

Emmanuel Raheb CEO of Smart Age Solutions
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More Jewelry

The time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Pomellato Nudo High Jewelry Campaign
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic Design

From striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.

Jamie Singleton, Bill Brace, Rebecca Wooters, Bill Luth
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid Turnaround

The jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.

Sothebys Watchcheck
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair Services

The auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.

Swarovski lab-grown diamond Galaxy earrings
FinancialsMar 21, 2025
Swarovski Says Its Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Doubled in 2024

The company also noted record sales in the United States and a strong performance in its jewelry category.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy