Louis Vuitton to expand at International Plaza

TAMPA — Louis Vuitton, the French luxury leather goods maker, will almost double the size of its store in International Plaza.

Vuitton will move this summer into space next to Ballard Designs in the mall center court that spread over three stores including Coach, Caswell-Massey and Swatch, according to mall co-owner Taubman Centers Inc.

The current Vuitton store will then be converted into designer Tory Burch's first lifestyle store in the bay area.

One of IP's first tenants when the mall opened in 2001, Vuitton will use the bigger space for expanded selections of shoes, accessories, a handbag bar and monogram service.

Found in 1854 as a Paris luggage maker, Vuitton since 1987 has been a part of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world's largest luxury products maker. LV has developed a double-edged status symbol reputation as the most counterfeited of all luxury brands with more fakes in circulation than any rival including Chanel.