That rumor about Al Abayan, formerly of Number (N)ine on Washington, launching a shop in the old Intérieurs space at 149-151 Franklin, was true. He just emailed, explaining that after Number (N)ine stopped producing globally, he continued to consult with the designer, Takahiro Miyashita. “But the new project on Franklin Street is new venture for myself and partners. It will be a lifestyle store of women’s, men’s, and interior items all curated by myself (and it will carry Takahiro’s newly launched line called The Soloist). We plan to open early 2011.” The store will be called The New. UPDATE: It’ll be called Patron of the New, or just the New for short.