After eight years of operating as a culture-driven streetwear and lifestyle label, Sundae School has officially opened its first standalone retail location in New York City. The Korean American brand selected Manhattan’s Chinatown neighborhood for the project, placing the store just a short distance from the apartment where founder Dae Lim originally launched the label.
Located on Hester Street, the new flagship moves away from conventional retail design and instead embraces a more immersive architectural approach. Designed by Nohar Agadi alongside artist and sculptor Andy Kim, the compact 500-square-foot space draws inspiration from the layout of traditional Korean Buddhist temples. Layered curtains, industrial metal structures and divided transitional areas create a meditative atmosphere intended to separate visitors from the intensity of the surrounding city environment.
At the center of the store sits a reimagined altar-like installation built from restored office furniture left behind from the building’s previous use as an accounting office. The interior also features contemporary artwork from South Korean artist Honey Kim, incorporating visual references to historic Korean hemp textiles through modern materials such as aluminum and acrylic.
Although Sundae School is widely associated with cannabis-inspired fashion and wellness culture, the new Chinatown location will focus strictly on apparel, accessories and community experiences. The space will not sell products from the company’s wellness division, Sundae Flowers, but instead aims to serve as a creative meeting point for independent designers, collaborative pop-ups and local cultural programming.
The opening represents a major milestone for the brand’s continued growth, giving its community a permanent physical destination while reinforcing Sundae School’s blend of fashion, heritage and alternative contemporary culture. Customers visiting the flagship can expect access to current collections, limited in-store exclusives and future creative events hosted within the space.
