FROM COATS TO CONDO'S: RIVER ISLAND BRANCHES OUT

a dress from river island. gives me shades of forever 21, but wearable. (photo from dailymail.co.uk)

a river island storefront. busy really isn't the word to describe the windows...(photo from touchwood-solihull.co.uk)

london--my u.s readers may not know river island, but it is a pretty good "high street" store in the united kingdom. think joyce leslie or forever 21 with marginally better clothing. after doing more making a killing in the crowded retail market, they are now branching into something totally different: real estate. according to media reports, the lewis trust, the company founded by bernard lewis which owns river island, is planning a $200+ million dollar luxury apartment complex in barbados. the property will have about 49 beach front apartments and is set to be completed by the year 2010. i sorta like this. i can now buy a bikini and a one-bedroom from the same place. one stop shopping on crack.....