I went to the opening today at 12:20 (they opened at 12) to get my free gift (first 500 customers were promised a gift). Once I got in after waiting in line for 25-30 minutes I realized that there was another line wrapping around the whole store just to pay.
I still wanted my gift so I started looking around.
I was surprised at the prices of some items, more expensive that I would have thought. Then I was also surprised that most of the stuff I was picking up was made in China not Japan.
I picked up a simple 2008 poster-style calendar for $4.95 and waited in the second line. Another 30 minutes later, I got my free tote bag and box of colored pencils complete with sharpener.
Though appreciative of my freebies... I almost feel like their stint with MoMA was better publicity for the brand than the Flagship store. Maybe there's something special about not being so easy to get and buying it in the museum context.

Nonetheless- Congrats to MUJI, welcome to New York, lower your prices just a tad (esp. the $27- made in china- gloves that i want), and cant wait to see the holiday collection.

Watachi wa Ashton.
Hajimemashite.

Had to be in the area this afternoon so I walked in and walked out. Can you say BEIGE?! And it's such a small store. I was surprised.

I went into CB2 next door to get some wine glasses and no line in sight.

IMHO, too much hype for Muji.

Looks like a small department store. I love design, but I hate how much we consume, do we really need all the stuff? I also have to wonder why people aren't more concerned about buying products made in china, considering all the toxins being found in children's toys. How safe do you think the pots and pans that we're cooking with everyday.
As far as consumption, most of this "stuff" ends up in a landfill after a couple of years. Quite the legacy we're leaving to future generations.
Sorry about the rant, but I think we need to think about the products we buy and ask ourselves if it's going to actually improve our quality of life or if it's just more stuff.

"flagship store their opening"...you have got to be kidding...

Considering how long we've been waiting for Muji to come to this country, there may not be enough hype. Either way, I just hope it dies down by the next time I visit nyc so I can do my shopping in peace.

No visit for me yet, but still not getting it.

I think the arrival of CB2 is/was bigger news.

Please please please fix the first sentence. "they're" not "their"

Thank you.

I went last night at about 5:30, it was packed. I wandered around the store squeezing my way through all the crowds to look at all the stuff. Honestly... I was a bit underwhelmed... The prices aren't a bargain really. The merch is nice, but not exceptional. Basically, I feel as though it is a store full of minimalist aesthetic merchandise in white and beige. Not that I don't like that, but it didn't seem all that special.

I had heard that they had watches, and was planning on buying one before I even got there... But after looking around I didn't see any. When I asked a sales person, he said "Ummm, no, but we sell clocks, they are over there." Yeah, like I am gonna strap a clock to my wrist... Helpful, really helpful. I know they exist.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/travelstar/91795371/

In the end, I bought two bookends and an umbrella, got my canvas bag and went to CB2.

I will go back, the store has potential, but one can only use so many pencils and notebooks.

heathermg
I am wildly concerned about all this mass consumerism of products made in China. Check out CB2 next store to MUJI for even more. At least 80% of their stuff is made in China and as I said in an earlier post, what, pray tell is the big deal with CB2. It all looks mass produced to me and b.l.a.n.d. Talk about hype.

for shame! AT has been posting about the opening of this store for days. DAYS. sad. this was the first post about this store i've actually opened (curiosity got the better of me). i was expecting something rather profound... boo.

What's the big deal about Muji?! Their products are cheap, as in cheaply made, yet overpriced. I think it is laughable that so many people stood in lines just to get in and buy a few crappy items. In a city where we have so much, it is sad to see consumerism run amuck.

Oh . . . the best part of standing in that stupid line was getting to speak with Amel Larrieux, the neo-soul singer, who was also standing in line and nice enough to share her stories of falling in love with Muji while doing gigs in Japan.

Time wasted going to Muji . . . an hour and a half
Meeting Amel Larrieux . . . priceless

too
many

people

If the dollar wasn't so weak, their prices would be in synch with the quality of their stuff.

I don't get the hype. There are nice accessories here and there - but that is equally true of CB2.

I think MOMA does a better job of editing their line.

Their clothing struck me as a Japanese version of Old Navy.

Uniqlo is more old navy. Muji is a bit nicer quality. It's staples, in the best sense of the word. Nice quality basic design that you don't have to think about. Again, I had a (probably 9$) binder for nearly 10 years. I am still using a train pass/wallet from 4 years ago (again, less than $10 and beautiful in it's simplcity)

completely agree with heathermg about the consumerism issue. had never heard of muji until the overposting and hype here, and can only hope their store is better than their website. good design is important in websites, too--difficult to find product information, slow loading, rather unspectacular altogether.

i went at 7 on friday night, and i was underwhelmed, but kind of shocked at how expensive the (lackluster) clothing items were. oh well!

I do a lot of work in Taipei and Tokyo and have been visiting Muji there for ages. I haven't visited the store in New York yet, but I look forward to seeing what they've decided to bring and what they've decided to leave off. I have Muji dishes and utensils, bath salts and umbrellas, and even a suitcase or two (I have treated none of these items as disposable, just fyi--all have come into my home for the long haul). I have always been impressed with the quality of the items relative to their price points in Asia, which are probably slightly lower than here. The thing about the stores in Japan and Taiwan, however, is that they often have cafes and a small supermarket area--the flagship in Tokyo, for instance, has always been more a place to spend some time hanging out than a place you'd just run into for an item or two (not that this doesn't also happen, of course). In any case, I agree that there's been a bit too much hype here--Muji is more or less ubiquitous in East Asia and was only really considered a super special place when it first opened.

All that said, I look forward to seeing what they've brought here for clothes. I often love the designs (and especially the shoes!) at the stores in Taipei, but my big American butt rarely fits!

I don't understand the "first in line" mentality with those who went (and stood in line) on opening day. Um, can't you still get small translucent "school supplies" like, oh I don't know, a WEEK later??

Pierre, I love Amel Larrieux!! I have every one of her CDs. I would have stood in line just to talk to her but I don't think I would have purchased anything. Muji looks like the GAP of housewares...just bland.

Maybe Muji over there is different to over here...the quality is great here. I personally love the place...but I do get my Mums comment about it being the place to buy boxes to store your boxes in! Ha. Very Japanese.