Lifestyle in Vienna:

New Openings 2014 - Concept Stores

December 15, 2014

I travel a lot, and over the past couple of years, I have been observing the renaissance of concept stores around the world, a trend which is on the rise in Vienna as well. The concept store is a great shopping experience, letting you pick from a mixture of different products and/or services under one roof.

Supersense

© Supersense

In accordance with its name, this dream location satisfies all five senses. Opened by the co-founder of Impossible (manufacturer of instant photography equipment and materials), it combines camera store, music shop and café. You can buy analogue films, take an instant photo, taste regional delicacies and visit a small laboratory devoted to scents, which has been developed in cooperation with artist Sissel Tolaas.

Supersense also features workshops, a live music space, and an analogue recording studio, all exhibited within a 19th century Viennese palace. Analogue fans will be smitten by the Instant Lab and an exclusive range of products including film and a new range of cameras from Impossible, as well as refurbished cameras.

Open: Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Nearest underground stop: Pratestern U1 or Nestroyplatz U1

Sneak In

© Sneak In

If it was in Berlin, this store wouldn't be big news, but it is the first of its kind in Vienna — a place where retail meets café. Sneak In has a likeable approach to fashion. People who like to be, as Austrians would call it, 'fesch', but don't make too big a fuss about it can find here “rare goods” as RANSOM, US versus THEM as well as other street style brands like Y-3, Filling Pieces, etc. The café also leaves a nice impression with an assortment of sandwiches, dips and plates of fruit or vegetables for health-conscious fashionistas, along with a good list of cocktails and spirits for the later hours. I think that the choice of location is brilliant, as it is really in tune with the whole Spittelberg vibe.

Open: Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. - 12:30 a.m., Friday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Nearest underground stop: Museumsquartier U2 or Volkstheater U3

Passt gut

© Passt gut

Combinations of all sorts of retail and services are a new city craze. Here the fashion store with cool street wear labels and coffee shop come in nice symbiosis. Coarse wooden coat stands displaying brands like Einstein & Newton, Cuckoos Nest, Anticulture, All About Eve, Merc, Hey Pilgrim blend nicely with a coffee bar; the interior is according to the notion inspired by funky street fashion with key factors in industrial creativity and a straight forward functionality. As the story goes the founders combined their love for coffee and fashion and it does “fit well”; as merchandise selection reflects the personal taste and coffee with homemade cookies contribute to amicable atmosphere. Passion rules us all, but to succeed one has to be loyal to its own desires and then it becomes a reality.

Open: Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 6.30 p.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Nearest underground stop: Thaliastrasse U6

Radlager Palazzo

Radlager Palazzo © photo Bengt Stiller

A different, endearing mix can be found at Radlager – it's a bike shop and café in one. Bicycle enthusiasts can wonder around the display of classic vintage racing bikes and modern steel frame bikes; or just check out the lovely accessories; try the wonderful espresso prepared with a Faema espresso machine; or pick from a cleverly put together menu of salads, sandwiches and delicious cakes and brownies. Service is friendly and fast, both in-store and in the café; the design of the interior with nicely grouped small tables, old bicycles as wall décor and generously proportioned windows reminds me of New York and catches the eye already from the outside. On summer evenings, one can sip a cocktail in the lovely Schanigarten. On top of all this, you can buy the finest Italian coffee, either just in vacuum packs or in funny round boxes.

Open Monday-Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., Thursday-Friday 8 a.m. – 12 a.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 12 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Nearest underground stop: Karlplatz U1/U2/U4

Addicted to Rock

This space is about fashion, styling and music, plus there is a café and bar, all located on premises of more than 300m² in the centre of Vienna. You can get a stylist advice if you really need one, otherwise have fun choosing from international brands like Diesel, Rockstars & Angels, Scorpion Bay, Convers or special Addicted to Rock line of clothing and accessories. Although I am not exactly a rock chick, I definitely enjoyed my time in the café. You can choose from wine, beer, spirits, a vast cocktail list, or taste regional specialities served a la tapas. The décor is in line with the concept: it includes a long bar in the middle and high wooden tables with comfy leather sofas next to large windows, which is quite cool for bigger groups. The crowd is young, and so are the staff who are very caring and friendly. Additionally, they host live acoustic concerts and DJ sets.

Open: Monday – Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 12 a.m., Thursday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 2 a.m., Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. – 12 a.m. Nearest underground stop: Museumsquartier U2

Info

Addicted to Rock
Getreidemarkt 11
Vienna 1060
Phone: +43 1 581 2647 - 0
Supersense
Praterstrasse 70
Vienna 1020
Phone: +43 1 96 90 832
Sneak In
Siebensterngasse 12
Vienna 1070
Phone: +43 664 14 55 101
Passt gut
Lerchenfelder Straße 95-97
Vienna 1070
Radlager
Operngasse 28
Vienna 1040