Grand slam

A Somerville square gets a little less so

By DAVID LEVIN

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It's about 15 degrees outside as I limp towards Grand's brand new storefront in Union Square, bracing against a wind that seems to come from all sides. But as I approach the all-glass facade, it's not just the thought of escaping the cold that quickens my pace. Even through the window, the store exudes a glow that's immediately inviting and comfortable. Its minimal display stands, clean gray concrete floor, and two-tone wall murals make you feel like you've just walked into an art gallery—or perhaps that Billyburg loft you've been drooling over in the pages of a glossy design mag.

Co-owners Wendy Friedman, Adam Larson and Jonathan O'Toole have worked hard to give it that sort of vibe. They pull their eclectic selection of clothing and accessories from a growing pool of little-known designers: screen-printed tees from Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, space-age watches from Nooka and tote bags from Artgoodies are some of the highlights from the store's more unique and affordable items. Grand's stock of footwear, while somewhat smaller, is still downright cool—they are the first store in the US to carry Feiyue (pronounced "fay-woo"), an absurdly comfy Chinese martial arts sneaker that's gaining popularity in France and the UK.

But O'Toole says the store's mission is to be more than just a boutique. Located in a former auto glass repair shop, Grand is blessed with ample floor space for other neighborhood functions. O'Toole and friends are already discussing the possibility of hosting in-store music-listening parties and record releases for local artists, as well as other potential events in the near future.

If you haven't yet made the trip to burgeoning Union Square, now is a good time to start—let's just say it's experienced quite the Grand opening.

[374 Somerville Ave., Union Sq., Somerville. 617.623.2429. grandthestore.com]