New Madison Avenue Gagosian Store

The ever-expanding Gagosian Gallery is bringing the global art dealing brand to the monied masses with a new Madison Avenue shop selling art catalogs, books and other publications produced by Gagosian.

The store is slated to open next Monday, Sept. 14, according to a gallery spokesperson.

UPDATE: Just notified that the shop will open at the end of next week, not Monday.

The gallery’s Upper East Side branch, which operates from several sleek floors at 980 Madison Avenue, has taken over a large corner space on 77th and Madison.

Facade New Gagosian Shop at 988 Madison Avenue

The expansion is bright spot on an otherwise grim retail scene. The ritzy avenue is most noticeable for the proliferation of “For Rent” signs. A few doors down, at 984 Madison, a rental banner covers a window pane in a space until recently occupied by the David Findlay Galleries.

For rent sign in window of former David Findlay Galleries, next to Fortuna

Gagosian’s windows were covered with white paper yesterday afternoon, but inside construction workers painted walls white.  A colorful mid-century Eames bookcase was stationed by the front door. A source said Richard Prince was doing a special item for the shop but the gallery couldn’t confirm this information.

Art collector Aby Rosen is a principal in RFR Realty LLC which owns 980 Madison. Rosen was rebuffed in plans to top the commercial building with a Norman Foster designed condominium in 2006. He re-introduced the plan last year.

Gagosian recently opened a branch in Athens, Greece. The dealer is also considering opening in Paris and Geneva, according to sources.