Founded | October 2005 |
---|---|
Founder | Phoebe Cates |
Headquarters | , United States |
Website | bluetreeny.bigcartel.com |
Blue Tree is a boutique on the Upper East Side of New York City, opened by former actress Phoebe Cates and Lisa Matlin,[1] with Ivana Callahan, store manager.[2]
"Phoebe Cates Kline was so fond of the Upper East Side branch of gift store Penny Whistle[3] that when it closed, she simply had to replace it.[4]
The store sells chocolate, diamonds, jewelry, clothing, antiques, perfume, candles, art, photography, books, vintage LPs, and stuffed animals.[5]
The New York Times referred to the store as "a version of Elizabeth Street for the Carnegie Hill crowd, a little oasis of downtown aesthetic at Ladies Who Lunch prices," and said that "the celebrity boutique is a way for famous people to admit the civilian into their universe; it is a presentation of themselves, their likes and desires, their preferences—and does not require them to step in front of a camera."[5]
Cates stated "I always wanted to have a general store." Cates also said that some of her customers tell her that she looks like Phoebe Cates, and that she responds to them by saying "I get that a lot."[6]
The name of the store was suggested by Kevin Kline, Cates' husband.[7] The store's name is a reference to the blue trees in Fauvist paintings;[8] with the idea being that just as blue trees seem out of place in a forest, a store like Blue Tree seems out of place on the Upper East Side.[6]