Juicy Bedbugs Close Store

Talk about putting a damper on holiday shopping.

The Manhattan flagship store of Los Angeles-born Juicy Couture was closed after bedbugs were discocvered Monday night. The 15,000-square-foot store at 650 Fifth Ave. was shuttered on Tuesday to get rid of the mighty insects. An exterminating company removed the merchandise for treatment and took care of the store. The company, now owned by Liz Claiborne Inc.,said the outlet was scheduled to open on Friday, Dec. 3.

I was at that store this past weekend, checking out the window displays, which were paltry compared to the pumped-up windows at Bergdorft Goodman. I was tempted to go inside to peruse the merchandise but resisted.

Now I'm glad I did. I could have come back with our own stable of bedbugs. Bedbugs have popped up all over New York City, at places such as the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, Elle magazine, and retailers Hollister and Victoria's Secret.

For now, California is safe. Or so they say.