Summerlin’s shopping scene gets exciting with Tivoli Village

The retail gods have finally shown Summerlin a little mercy. Tivoli Village's first phase opens today and brings a few new kids to the block, but you'll notice some familiar faces, too. At least one of those familiar faces could have Summerlin shoppers rethinking a trip to the Strip for their fashion fill.

Vasari has shut its doors at Boca Park and opened up shop across the street. As it turns out, the new Tivoli digs (near the upscale Queensridge community) were impressive enough to completely transform the fashion lineup here.

Co-owner Ardi Najmabadi can now line his racks with labels such as Chloe, Haute Hippie, Alice + Olivia, Halston Heritage, Royal Underground and John Varvatos. According to Najmabadi, each of the in-demand, cutting edge brands took one look at Vasari's new locale and jumped onboard.

"It's just higher end here. There's a total different sophistication that Boca (Park) couldn't bring us," he says. "Tivoli will bring us to where Summerlin needs to be."

The architecture, designed to capture the look of a "centuries-old European village," features intricate stonework, fountains and rich landscaping. Six buildings comprise the first phase, the second of which is scheduled to open in December 2012. Parking is abundant with 3,400 underground spaces and the dining options create a comfortable environment for extended shopping trips.

Najmabadi, who now co-owns Vasari with Vanessa Chamberlin Houssels, says the enthusiasm from his new stock of fashion brands doesn't stop with a retail commitment. Most of them have expressed interest in trunk shows. Alice + Olivia's is in the works, and the equally trendy and charitable footwear brand TOMS comes to the store May 21.

J Brand jeans, Diane von Furstenberg, Brian Atwood designer shoes and luxury fragrance line Bond No. 9 will also be sold here. The inventory speaks for itself.

"We will be the premiere fashion store in Summerlin," Najmabadi says.

Just down the granite street from Vasari is Roc Republic, a boutique focused on denim. You'll find brands such as William Rast, 1921, Paige Premium Denim, Blank, Rock Revival, Cult of Individuality, Miss Me and more. Owner Gaston Garcia is fully aware these brands aren't anything new to Vegas. "It's not necessarily something they haven't seen as far as the product," he says. "It's the concept."

Similar to his other stores in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Omaha, Neb., Garcia has divided the 5,500-square-foot space into three parts: designer, midlevel and modest pricepoints. The price tags and the design distinguish each of them. Black and white deco covers one area, another is moody with lots of woods and the third boasts blue lighting and concrete.

A DJ spinning what he foresees will mostly be house music will accompany the shopping. Eventually Garcia hopes to partner with DJ's promoting events around town.

Originally from Argentina, he started Roc Republic as a kiosk in Michigan nine years ago. Today marks his third store opening. He also has Tampa, Fla., and New York boutiques currently under construction.

Garcia recognizes the $300 denim days disappeared in '08 and won't come back anytime soon. His success, despite that, is easy to sum up. "Department store options, diverse prices and a boutique feel," he says.

Hopefully, for Jennifer Frederick of Ritual Salon & Spa, Tivoli visitors will crave some pampering after a long day of shopping. The spa director has one location already in Henderson. She calls the new one, which officially opens May 9, "a little more Beverly Hills."

Aside from the posh deco -- chandeliers, marble flooring, copper ceiling fixtures -- Ritual has brought in higher-end products to appeal to the new, image-conscious clientele. Eminence Organics, Epicuren, Pure Fiji and Bumble & Bumble are just some of the new skin and hair care lines. Ritual also added Little Green, an organic line for kids and a new $200 contour body wrap that promises a 14-inch weight loss.

Frederick says the new spa may serve a different customer, but some things will never change. "We want (the spa) to look beautiful," she says, "and we want to make people feel beautiful."

Tivoli Village is located at 440 S. Rampart Blvd.