Sundae School Opens Its First Permanent Store in NYC’s Chinatown

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Summary

  • Korean American lifestyle brand Sundae School is opening its first permanent physical store in May 2026, located at 117 Hester Street in Manhattan’s Chinatown
  • Designed by Nohar Agadi and Andy Kim, the 500-square-foot space is modeled after a traditional Korean Buddhist temple, utilizing metal pillars, gates, and curtains to create a sequential, calming retreat
  • The flagship will carry the brand’s latest apparel collections and in-store exclusives, while also serving as a dedicated community hub for indie brands, pop-ups, and creatives

After starting as a creative idea eight years ago in a small New York City apartment, the Korean American clothing brand Sundae School is opening its first official store. The store will be located in Manhattan’s Chinatown, at 117 Hester Street—just a few blocks from where the founder, Dae Lim, originally came up with the idea. This is a significant milestone for the brand, which focuses on building community and blends streetwear with influences from Korean heritage and cannabis culture.

Okay, so I checked out the new Sundae School space, and it’s seriously unlike any store I’ve ever seen. Forget the usual retail vibe – it feels more like stepping into a peaceful, modern temple. The designer, Nohar Agadi, and artist Andy Kim completely rebuilt this old office. It’s only 500 square feet, but they used this really cool layout inspired by Korean temples to block out all the city noise. They’ve got these curtains, metal pillars, and gates that create these little sections you walk through, like passing through different areas. It’s designed to feel like a journey, and it ends at the back where the main ‘altar’ is – which is actually where they’ve put their desks, decorated with these cool Chinese talismans! It’s their headquarters now, and the whole place just feels really intentional and calming.

The space also celebrates Korean culture with artwork by Honey Kim, who creates modern pieces inspired by traditional Korean hemp fabrics using materials like acrylic and aluminum. Though Sundae School is known for its hemp-focused products, the new store on Hester Street isn’t a shop for those items, nor will it sell products from Sundae Flowers, their wellness brand. Instead, the store is designed to be a peaceful place for relaxation and genuine connection.

Lim, the founder of Sundae School, was surprised to see their initial idea grow into a successful eight-year brand, culminating in a store opening just steps away from where it all began in Chinatown. They credit the brand’s success to its strong community and are thrilled to finally meet customers face-to-face. The new Chinatown store, which opened earlier this month, offers the latest Sundae School collections and exclusive items. More than just a store, it’s designed to be a space for events and collaborations, continuing the brand’s focus on diversity, creativity, and challenging the status quo.

Sundae School
117 Hester Street
Manhattan, New York City

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2026-05-11 07:56