Palm Beach's New Worth Avenue Definitely "Worthy"

Yes, there is Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, Rue du Fauborg Saint-Honoré in Paris, and the Via Veneto in Rome, but shopping on Palm Beach's Worth Avenue is an exercise in finding the very best of the very best. When Badgley Mischka opened last summer on Bellevue Avenue in Newport, they (and their fabulous dresses) were fleeing a reconstruction of Worth Avenue that would've allowed customers entry through the back door only. "We couldn't have that" said the charming James Mischka. (See www.newportseen.com/archived-news/badgley-mischka-brings-couture-to-bellevue-avenue/)

Angela Moore's new store fronts directly on Worth Avenue

Happily, Badgley Mischka is open for business on the newly refurbished Avenue, which is also home to the Everglades Club, antiques shops, the wonderful indoor-outdoor Renato's restaurant, and charming alleyways lined with European-style shops. Newport's Angela Moore has opened her shop directly on Worth Avenue from an off-the-avenue location, and it is doing brisk business. Newport Seen dropped in just as actress Susan Lucci was leaving, arms loaded with bags of jewelry and clothes.

Also on the Avenue, which now features a beautiful park in the middle of a connecting street, are Gucci, Tiffany, Stubbs & Wootton, Tourneau, Polo, Giorgio Armani, Jimmy Choo…….The Grand Amie military antiques shop is a welcome foray into objects from the past.

The renovation of a side street

At the head of the Avenue, the giants Neiman Marcus and Saks hold sway. Neiman Marcus, with its valet parking, is always beautifully decorated, but an artistic grouping of hanging white butterflies made the experience of going up and down the escalator pure delight. At 150 Worth, anchored by Saks, a "millionaire's mall" includes Pucci, Vuitton, and Keiselstein-Cord.

According to Ruth Young of The Colony Hotel, "no one comes to Palm Beach to earn money, simply to spend it," as a wag once recounted to her. The opportunities are so many.

It's definitely Worth the trip.