For years, the narrative around brick-and-mortar retail has focused on its decline—disrupted by e-commerce, pressured by shifting consumer behavior, and challenged by rising real estate costs. Today, a different story is unfolding: leading brands recognize that today’s consumers want more than products—they want connection, storytelling, and memorable spaces.
Retail spaces are evolving into immersive, experience-first destinations that draw customers in, not just to shop, but to engage. At L&K Partners, we believe thoughtful construction makes all the difference.
We’ve partnered with some of the most innovative brands to build out retail environments that don’t just sell products—they tell stories. Here are a few recent examples that exemplify this shift:
Framebridge
We led construction on the build-out of several Framebridge locations across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Connecticut, each designed to deliver a hands-on, design-forward experience. These stores go beyond traditional retail, offering customers a place to browse, collaborate with in-store designers, drop off art, and refine projects. The spaces feature thoughtful details like white oak millwork and measurement tables, recessed lighting, vintage-inspired brass accents, richly painted plaster walls, and the signature Framebridge gallery wall—creating an inviting environment that reflects the brand’s identity while redefining how customers interact with custom framing.
Warby Parker
Our collaboration with Warby Parker showcases how physical spaces can seamlessly blend service, technology, and brand identity. Customers can explore the brand’s eyewear collection in custom recessed millwork displays, receive in-person eye exams and consultations, and engage with virtual try-on kiosks and touch-free measurement stations for a digitally enriched shopping experience. The project required adapting existing design standards to the space, ultimately delivering a space that elevates both customer engagement and the brand’s presence in a competitive retail landscape.
Café Joyeux
To establish their first U.S. location, not-for-profit Café Joyeux enlisted L&K Partners to deliver a space that supports their mission — to employ and train staff with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The 2,500 square-foot café-restaurant warmly invites customers into its open space, where everything is “served from the heart.” The café’s vibrant yellow accents, combined with a safe, functional layout and a blend of modern and cozy aesthetics, create a welcoming atmosphere for both staff and customers.
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Experiential retail isn’t just a trend—it’s a strategic pivot that’s helping brands reestablish meaningful physical connections in a digital-first world. L&K Partners is proud to be a part of this evolution, delivering construction management services that bring these high-impact spaces to life with precision, creativity, and efficiency.
Interested in transforming your retail vision into reality?
