Find the Luxury of a Florence Perfume Shop Without Leaving the US
Many travelers who have visited Florence, Italy are familiar with the Farmacia Santa Maria Novella, an amazing perfume shop and former apothecary selling traditional products using top quality raw materials. Although often a stop on a Florence itinerary, what few may realize is that alternate locations quietly thrive in bustling American cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Dallas and Bal Harbour.
One of the oldest pharmacies in Europe, the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella was first established by Dominican monks in 1221, where they used herbs cultivated from the church gardens for medicinal use in the convent’s infirmary. In 1612 the pharmacy opened to the public and by the 18th century its fame had expanded to regions beyond Italy. Today a stop in the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy is an experience akin to visiting a museum, where visitors are witness to the premises’ historic frescoes and can purchase incredible perfume and skincare products made following traditional artisanal methods.
The operation is not limited strictly to Florence however, with outposts throughout Italy and shops located internationally in major cities such as London, Paris, and Tokyo. The brand has also found a place for itself in the United States, spanning coast to coast from New York City’s Soho to Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, with locations in Dallas, Texas and Bal Harbour, Florida to round off the American venture. The Santa Maria Novella shops are ideal for an American shopper seeking distinctly Italian wares, even when the trip to Italy remains a work in progress.
New York:
285 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10012
(212) 925-0001
http://www.lafcony.com/SantaMariaNovella
Los Angeles:
8411 Melrose Place
Los Angeles, CA 90069-5307
(323) 651-3754
Dallas:
66 Highland Park Village
Dallas, TX 75205
(214) 522-8880
Bal Harbour:
9700 Collins Ave
Bal Harbour, FL 33154
(305) 865-3334