Beijing Would be Perfect If ... : 10 Stores and Restaurants Missing From Beijing

We don't really like to complain about food or shopping in Beijing, because there is just so much out there. But haven't you ever craved something from home or from a travel destination? If, like us, you have encountered this before, you may have scoured the web for store locations, hoping to find one near you, only to be disappointed by a dead end. This has been the case for us on multiple occasions.

The following ten stores are some brands that we think would complete Beijing. Almost all of them have several locations around the world already, and it would be feasible for them to launch in Beijing too. With the city expanding toward becoming an international capital, it makes sense to see the growth of global influences. Hopefully we’ll be able to see the following names on the streets of Beijing soon.

Food

Ladurée (pictured at top)
Founded in Paris in 1862, this bakery and tearoom fuses together the Parisian lifestyle with a myriad of pastries and French cuisine, all in a sophisticated boutique. You can enjoy lunch or dinner inside their luxuriously decorated restaurant, or grab a box of macarons to-go in their patisserie. From classic to limited edition macarons, these delicate treats will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth and transport you from the pollution to the city of lights in a moment.

Nando’s
Travelling across continents, we reach South Africa where Nando’s was founded in 1987. The casual dining restaurant specializes in flame-grilled chicken marinated in their special PERi-PERi sauce, inspired by Portuguese flavors. They operate over 1,000 stores worldwide already, and we believe it’s about time Beijing got a taste too. Cheeky Nando's, Beijing?

Ben and Jerry’s
With a rich history, this ice cream store has come a long way from being located in a gas station in Burlington, Vermont. Their legendary chunky ice cream is addictive and, with new non-dairy vegan flavors, even more people can enjoy their ice cream. However, they’re a rare find in supermarkets in Beijing. We can only hope they open a store soon so we can try more of the 114 flavours listed on their website.

In-N-Out/Shake Shack
This one might be a bit of a stretch, considering they’ve barely expanded across the East and West coast in the United States. I’m not going to delve into the debate about which burger chain is better, but let’s just say the Beijing food scene would be more lively with either one of them. There might be a higher chance of Shake Shack opening, as they have already recently unveiled locations in five other countries, whereas In-N-Out is currently only found in the US.

Georgetown Cupcakes
Beijingers are no strangers to cupcakes, but where do you go for the best of these bite-sized desserts? There are a few decent bakeries in this city, but none can compete with Georgetown Cupcakes. If you’ve ever had one, or if you’ve seen their hit TV show, you’re bound to have fallen in love with their mesmerizingly perfect icing swirl, which is a signature of the two sisters who founded the bakery in the neighborhood of Georgetown in Washington, D.C. It might be some time before they can expand internationally, but we can all dream right?

Shopping

Primark  
Founded in Ireland in 1969, this retail manufacturer has expanded widely across the United Kingdom with 178 stores currently. Prices may have to be adjusted if Primark were to open in Beijing, but this bargain-hunter's haven prides itself on affordable trendy items. It’s unlikely they would risk losing customers by hiking up prices, as they compete strongly against other low cost retailers such as Zara and H&M. Last September, Primark opened their first American store in Boston. It became the talk of town for at least a month, with everyone rushing to get themselves something from the massive four-floor store. They have already opened up four more stores in the US, and their success shows the potential they could have with the Chinese market.

Topshop 
Also a British fashion retailer, Topshop produces clothing, accessories and makeup for the trendy and modern girl with an edge. They currently have an outlet in Galeries Lafayette in Xidan, but it only carries a fraction of what their brand offers in-store in 45 other countries across the world. Arcadia group, the company that owns and operates Topshop, has been known to test out their stores by opening up smaller boutiques first. Recently, Topshop’s menswear subsidiary, Topman, opened in Galeries Lafayette, which hopefully means that it won’t be long before we will be seeing a storefront in Beijing. Until then, we can order from their online store that is updated with 300 new products weekly.

Banana Republic  
Perfect for the working woman or man, this American brand is known for its mainstream upscale clothing that is oriented for the young working professional. They have over 500 stores in the US alone, and their popularity continues to rise as they expand internationally. They have been rebranded as a luxury outlet after being acquired by Gap, but they remain reasonably priced for their quality. Whilst all their products maintain a theme of tailored casual clothing, customers have a wide choice between several collections at different price levels.

J.Crew
This American retailer takes a youthful spin on formal clothing, offering refined garments with a chic touch. They believe everything is left imperfect and rules are overrated. Hence, they style suits with sneakers and winged eyeliner with jeans. In stores, you'll find an array of color blocking and mixed prints. They also style suits with sneakers and winged eyeliner with jeans. The versatility in their clothing is why I believe they can be a hit in a city where people are quickly becoming more fashion aware. Their clothes are on the slightly pricier end, but investing in a piece from J.Crew is worth it once in a while.

The Kooples
This is one of my favourite French brands, because it speaks Paris to me and their clothing represents just that. Their designs are inspired by music, street culture, nightlife and life in the city. Their clothing is distinctive for its subdued colours and subtle detailing, such as lace paneling, crochet cutouts, and minimal metal embellishments. They use high quality materials to create sleek rocker-inspired looks that are feminine for womenswear and tailored for menswear. What’s interesting about their clothes is that, depending on how you style it, you wouldn’t be able to tell whether the wearer is coming from work or from drinks at a bar. Similarly to Topshop, The Kooples currently have an outlet in Galeries Lafayette, a French department store, but it’s a shame that they haven’t opened a store in Asia yet.

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