Gap says bonjour to Merci

Gap opened up its latest concept shop yesterday in cooperation with the French boutique Merci, next to Gap's flagship store in Midtown Manhattan. I went to check it out, and wasn't surprised to see the tiny space on Fifth Avenue flooded with local and out-of-town shoppers.

Merci Gap is open for a limited time only, until October 4, and the collaboration marks the inaugural Merci boutique in the United States.

Inspired by the original Parisian boutique, the Merci Gap concept store is offering a mix of Merci's signature products in addition to limited-edition Gap specialties.

The store also ties in a touch of Parisian culture by having its store greeter say, "Bonjour" and "Au Revoir" to each person who passes.

Though, of course it's done with a noticeable New York accent, which makes the attempt even more endearing.

All profits from Merci Gap, after production costs are deducted, will go to various children's charities and to provide work for impoverished youth in Madagascar. The same is true for the original store in Paris.