Louis Vuitton to move

Louis Vuitton, one of the luxury boutiques that has helped make Galena Street Aspen's little version of Rodeo Drive, will make the leap to Mill Street next spring, according to the Paris-based chain's corporate office in New York.

The store will relocate to the Mill Street Plaza, where a gallery and interior furnishings store are now located, after the space is renovated. Louis Vuitton will reopen at its new address by late spring or early summer.

Filling in Louis Vuitton's existing space in the Brand Building, at the corner of Hopkins and Galena, will be Christian Dior, which will expand from its space next door to give it more room as well, said Heather Vandenberghe, vice president of marketing for Louis Vuitton.

Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton are both owned by parent company Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, as is Fendi, which also has a presence in Aspen.

The move for Louis Vuitton will allow the Aspen store to expand on its present line of leather goods and accessories, Vandenberghe said. The new store will feature men's and women's shoes, a larger selection of watches and jewelry, and perhaps more, she said.

"This will facilitate some new product, which we're very excited about," Vandenberghe said.

Louis Vuitton, which opened locally at Christmastime in 1997, is among a number of luxury retail chains that have found a home in Aspen, much to the chagrin of some locals but to the delight of many of the resort's shoppers. A cluster of the boutiques can be found in property owner Harley Baldwin's Brand and Collins Block buildings.

"Aspen's a very important market to us," Vandenberghe said. "It's a small town, but it's a town that welcomes luxury and we have a strong following there."

Several high-end boutiques already line Mill Street, including Fendi, Frette, Brioni and Bulgari in the Collins Block building. Louis Vuitton will move in across the street.

Janet Urquhart's e-mail address is janet@aspentimes.com