Shopping in New York City
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Evolution
A great cabinet of curiosities, this old-fashioned storefront sells natural-history collectibles of the sort usually seen in museums. This is the place to buy – or just gawk at – framed beetles and butterflies, bugs frozen in amber-resin cubes, stuffed parrots, zebra hides and shark teeth, as well as stony wonders, including meteorites, fragments from Mars and 100-million-year-old fossils.
reviewed
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Brooklyn Flea Market (Fort Greene)
On the grounds of a school in Fort Greene, some 200 vendors sell their wares, ranging from antiques, records, vintage clothes, craft items and enticing food stalls stuffed with a smorgasbord of tasty treats. In winter, the market moves indoors to a gorgeous art deco space in the former Williamsburgh Savings Bank building at Flatbush near Atlantic Ave.
reviewed
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B&H Photo-Video
Visiting NYC's most popular camera shop is an experience in itself – it’s massive and crowded, and bustling with black-clad (and tech-savvy) Hasidic Jewish salesmen. Your chosen item is dropped into a bucket, which then moves up and across the ceiling to the purchase area (which requires a second queue).
It’s all very orderly and fascinating, and the selection of cameras, camcorders, computers and other electronics is outstanding.
reviewed
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Sustainable NYC
Across from Tompkins Square Park, this ecofriendly shop offers all sorts of home and office gear for living green. Organic T-shirts, shoes made out of recycled auto tires, compost bins, biodegradable beauty products, recycled stationery, and books on going green are all on hand. The store itself sets a fine example: the interior is built from 300-year-old reclaimed lumber and fixtures are recycled (and for sale).
A small cafe onsite sells snacks and fair-trade coffee.
reviewed
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FAO Schwarz
The toy store giant, where Tom Hanks played footsy piano in the movie Big, is number one on the NYC wish list of most visiting kids. Why not indulge them? The magical (over-the-top) wonderland, with dolls up for ‘adoption,' life-size stuffed animals, gas-powered kiddie convertibles, air-hockey sets and much more, might even thrill you, too.
reviewed
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Daffy's
Two floors of designer duds and accessories for men, women and children (as well as a random handful of homewares), with prices that can be blissfully low. And the tags – like those at most discount shops – show you the item's suggested retail price on top of Daffy’s price, which, at an average of 50% off, just gives you more incentive to buy.
reviewed
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Bloomingdale Soho
A little more avant-garde than the 'real' Bloomies uptown, this Soho offshoot skews to the young, covering everything from beachwear to club duds.
reviewed
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Apple Store Midtown
reviewed
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Little India
Once you leave the comfort zones of Manhattan and Brooklyn, the best way to approach shopping is by area, looking at, say, a stretch of several blocks on one street as a mini bazaar, with a collection of various shops that you can wander into aimlessly, either laying down cash or simply taking in the otherworldly vibes. In Jackson Heights, Queens, the stretch of 74th St that begins at the Roosevelt Ave subway station is a good example. The Little India strip is chock full of shops selling saris, like India Sari Palace (718-426-2700; 37-07 74th St at 37th Ave; 10:30am-7pm); 24-karat-gold jewelry, at spots like Mita Jewelers (718-507-1555; 37-30 74th St at 37th Rd;…
reviewed
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Everything Goes Clothing
In Staten Island, Ganas – a rare NYC commune of about 90 people – runs one of NYC’s best-kept shopping secrets: a collection of vintage shops called Everything Goes. Run as cooperatives, each location specializes in a different sort of item: there’s Everything Goes Clothing (718-273-7139; 140 Bay St; 10:30am-6:30pm Tue-Sat); Everything Goes Book Café (718-447-8256; 208 Bay St; 10am-7pm Tue-Thu, 10am-10pm Fri & Sat, noon-5pm Sun); and Everything Goes Furniture & Gallery (718-273-0568; 17 Brook St; 10:30am-6:30pm Tue-Sat), which features eclectic artwork, antiques and collectibles. For directions to each store, which are all within walking distance from the Staten…
reviewed
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Brooklyn Industries
This is where the cool kids shop for hooded sweatshirts, silk-screen T-shirts and slinky knit dresses. It may be a chain but this one has the cachet of actually being in Brooklyn.
reviewed
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Marc by Marc Jacobs
With five small shops sprinkled around the West Village, Marc Jacobs has established a real presence in this well-heeled neighborhood. Large front windows allow easy peeking – assuming there’s not a sale, during which you’ll only see hordes of fawning shoppers. Here’s the layout: on Bleecker St, you’ll find the women’s line at No 403-405, women’s accessories (fun wallets, rubber boots and T-shirts) at No 385 and the children’s line (Little Marc) at No 382. Men should head one block over, where they’ll find the men’s collection at 301 W 4th St and men’s accessories at 298 W 4th. For men’s and women’s apparel from the Marc Jacobs Collection (the priciest stuff of all), head…
reviewed
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Strand Book Store
Book fiends (or even those who have casually skimmed one or two) shouldn’t miss New York’s most loved and famous bookstore. In operation since 1927, the Strand sells new, used and rare titles, spreading an incredible 18 miles of books (over 2.5 million of them) among three labyrinthine floors. Check out the staggering number of reviewers’ copies in the basement, or sell off your own tomes before you get back on the plane, as the Strand buys or trades books at a side counter on weekdays.
reviewed
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Flushing, Queens
On and around Main St in Flushing, Queens, you’ll find a wonderfully hectic array of items both Chinese and Korean. The Flushing Mall (718-762-9000; 133-31 39th Ave at Prince St; 10am-8pm) is an indoor collection of East Asian items, though the excellent food court is the real draw. Browse the area outside, stopping at spots like Magic Castle (136-82 39th Ave), packed with Korean pop culture such as stickers, CDs, hair clips and jewelry, and Shun An Tong Health Herbal Co (135-24 Roosevelt Ave, off Main St), one of the oldest Chinese herbalists in the ’hood. Take the 7 to Main St–Flushing.
reviewed
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Trash & Vaudeville
The capital of punk-rocker-dom, Trash & Vaudeville is the veritable costume closet for singing celebs like Debbie Harry, who found their groove in the East Village when it played host to a much grittier scene. On any day of the week you’ll find everyone from drag queens to themed partygoers scouting out the most ridiculous shoes, shirts and hair dye.
reviewed
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Dressing Room
The Dressing Room is a creative hybrid that’s equal parts indie fashion boutique and low-key neighborhood bar. On the 1st floor, you’ll find a rotating mix of local and emerging designers with pieces ranging from clever graphic T-shirts to flouncy black dresses and wildly patterned knits, while downstairs is a small selection of vintage clothes.
Adjoining the space is a casual bar with a regular lineup of DJs, film screenings and shopping parties. The drink-shop combo can be quite handy for some couples who can’t quite resolve their disparate interests in looking at clothes versus swilling martinis.
reviewed
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Babeland
This women-owned sex shop is the queen bee of sex toys, aflutter with open and supportive staffers who will gladly talk you through the chore of picking out the very best silicone dildo or butt plug, matching it with an appropriate leather harness and inspiring you to toss in a quality vibrator while you’re at it. But it’s also much more: it’s a purveyor of sex-related books, magazines, adult DVDs, flavored lube and Babeland tees, and an educator, with a constant roster of how-to lectures, for all genders, from the knowledgeable staff.
reviewed
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Citystore
This small, little-known city-run shop stocks all manner of New York memorabilia, including authentic taxi medallions, manhole coasters, silk ties and baby clothes bearing the official ‘City of New York’ seal, Brooklyn Bridge posters, NYPD baseball caps, and actual streets signs (‘No Parking,’ ‘Don’t Feed the Pigeons’). There’s also a great collection of city-themed books.
reviewed
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Harry’s Shoes
Around since the 1930s, Harry’s is a classic. It's staffed by gentlemen who measure your foot in an old-school metal contraption and then wait on you patiently, making sure the shoe fits. If your feet are killing you from all the walking, you’ll find sturdy, comfortable brands (Merrel, Dansko, Birkenstock) as well as Earth, a vegan brand.
reviewed
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Tiffany & Co
This fabled jeweler, with its trademark clock-hoisting Atlas over the door, has won countless hearts with its luxe diamond rings, watches, silver Elsa Peretti heart necklaces, crystal vases and glassware. Swoon, drool, but whatever you do, don’t harass the elevator attendants with tired ‘Where’s the breakfast?’ jokes.
reviewed
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New York Yankees Clubhouse
It's on Schermerhorn Row, a block of old warehouses bordered by Fulton, Front and South Sts, that you'll find this commercial shrine to America's mightiest baseball dynasty. Salute the ballpark legends with logo-pimped jerseys, tees, caps...even dog bowls. Hardcore fans will appreciate the booty of signed bats, balls and posters. You can even purchase fee-free game tickets.
reviewed
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Idlewild Books
One of the best new indie bookshops to open in recent years, Idlewild is a great shopping destination when planning or even daydreaming about travel. Books are divided by region, and cover guidebooks as well as fiction, travelogues, history, cookbooks and other stimulating fare for delving into a country. The big windows overlooking the street, high ceilings and world globe display (all for sale) add to the charm. Check ‘Events’ on the website for Idlewild’s lineup of readings and book-launch parties; sometimes with drinks, music and dance.
reviewed
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Little Shop of Crafts
Head to New York’s largest craft house when you’re in the mood for something crafty, and want to make it yourself. You can opt to paint ceramics (which they provide and then fire for you), create beaded jewelry, assemble a mosaic (picture frame, mirror etc), or even build your own stuffed animal. Friendly staff members guide the way. Go on a weeknight (when there’s wine and good tunes playing) to avoid the child-parent crush on weekends.
reviewed
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Aji Ichiban
This Hong Kong–based chain, the name of which means ‘awesome’ in Japanese, is a ubiquitous sight in Chinatown, as this is just one of five locations here. And though it is a candy shop, get ready for something a bit more exciting than malted balls and peppermint sticks. Here’s where you’ll find sesame-flavored marshmallows, Thai durian milk candy, preserved plums, mandarin peel, blackcurrant gummies and dried guava, as well as savory snacks like crispy spicy cod fish, crab chips, wasabi peas and dried anchovies with peanuts.
reviewed
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Off Broadway Boutiques
Dressing divas since 1970, Off Broadway's clothes are sparkling, vivid and far, far too garish for almost everyone's taste – and yet somehow this thrift shop has stayed in business for 40 years. Maybe it's the odd gem or two tucked into the back section, called Re-Runs, that keeps people flocking in: hidden in the bins are vintage finds by Yves St Laurent, Dior and others. The owner also scours the globe for emerging designers and features their clothes in the front of the shop. There are real bargains to be had, but you'll have to search for them.
reviewed