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Bloomingdale's
It's big and brash and full of attitude - beloved Bloomie's is where New Yorkers go to get a major shopping fix. While the store carries plenty of high-end names, it also likes to bring in new designers and right-off the runway collections that won't break the bank.
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Bluestockings
It's rundown and ramshackle, but full of history and fueled by the alternative attitude that once permeated the Lower East Side. A hold-over from the freewheeling '70s, Bluestockings offers books on a range of radical topics, including gender studies, black liberation theory and plenty more.
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Bobby's Happy House
Part of Harlem history, Bobby's specializes in deep gospel sounds. The owner, Bobby Robinson, worked with Elmore James and produced Gladys Knight & the Pips, whom he also named. The store has R&B, blues and just a few funk albums to go along with the gospel.
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Bond 07
Selima Salaun's graceful glasses are the big draw, although Bond 07 also doubles as a chic boutique. Many a celebrity hides their orbs behind her perfectly-tinted, boho chic styles. With more than 100 in stock, she can fit a pair to any face.
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Bond 09
If you visit New York, you gotta smell like New York - that's the rule at Bond 09. It makes custom perfumes named after local nabes, like Eau de Noho, Chinatown and Chelsea Flowers. Don't worry - the fragrances actually smell good.
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Books Of Wonder
It's never too early to infect your children with book fever - and this is the place to do it. Among the first-edition signed Maurice Sendak's you'll find all the most popular kid-lit of the day, with options for even the youngest kids. It's a hands-on environment with patient and informed staff.
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Breakbeat Science
Pick up the equipment and the clothes you'll need to be an effective DJ at this LES shop. It stocks turntables, DJ tees, hoodies and the requisite bling, as well as DJ sling bags, record-cleaner kits and even DJ toy figurines.
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Brooklyn Industries
Its stores are all over Williamsburg, and this brand of urban chic has cracked Manhattan. Started by two artists who turned their love of fashion into a million-dollar business, these hip clothes, with their catchy Brooklyn skyline label, are comfy, casual and fun.
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Buckler
Producing cult menswear that blends 'roguish American icons with British edge,' Buckler's famous for brash and boyish denim designs. If you like the way Lenny Kravitz and Iggy Pop dress, you've found the perfect store.
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Canal St
A bustling, busy and perpetually congested avenue, Canal Street is packed with treasures and junk; sifting through takes a keen eye and loads of patience. Or you can simply walk around, taking in the strange creatures flopping in the food markets, the homeopathic drugstores with Chinese remedies, and the sound of a thousand tongues speaking at once.
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Carlos Miele
A bright store for bold shoppers, the design of Miele's flagship boutique is almost as eye-catching as his sexy, sultry, Carnaval-inspired Brazilian dresses. Great for glamorous gowns that leave you room to dance.
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Catherine Malandrino
Fun, refreshing looks that make the most of curves are the watchword at Malandrino's two stores - one in the Meatpacking District and the other in Soho. Her breezy blouses and feminine spaghetti-strap sundresses are must-have items for a summer in the city.
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Century 21
Welcome to New York's worst-kept secret. Deep discounts on really high-end couture line the racks of this square-shaped downtown department store. Most of the time it's a mob scene, but you can walk out with some gorgeous designer duds.
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Chelsea Girl
Small but catchy, Chelsea Girl has racks of vintage wear from past decades in all shapes and sizes. You never know what you'll find in the mess; Pucci prints have been pulled from under stacks of old records. It's a browser's dream.
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Chelsea Market
Gourmet food fans will think they've entered the pearly gates once they've stepped into this 800ft-long shopping concourse, part of a larger, million-sq-ft space currently home to the Food Network, Oxygen Network and the local NY1 news channel. The prime draws for locals are the more-than-25 market food shops, including Amy's Bread, Fat Witch Brownies, The Lobster Place, Hale & Hearty Soup, Ronnybrook Farm Dairy and Frank's butcher shop.
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Chocolate Bar
It's all chocolate all the time at this tiny storefront. You can create custom gift boxes of fancy artistic chocolates (flavors from chocolate mint tea to pistachio marzipan) by Brooklyn Willy Wonka Jacques Torres, stock up on rich bricks of the stuff or simply hover over a steaming cup of some of the best hot cocoa ever.
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Co Bigelow Chemists
There are cheaper and more efficient drugstores all over the city, but none have the charm of Bigelow's, America's 'oldest apothecary' if you believe the managers. It's still got a working pharmacy, but it's most famous for its organic beauty products like witch-hazel salves and honey-bee balms.
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Colony
Do you dream of hearing Frank Sinatra sing live? Well, that's not going to happen, but you can buy a real ticket to one of Old Blue Eye's shows here - the rock memorabilia and posters round out what could be the world's largest collection of sheet music anywhere. Charlie Parker and Miles Davis used to shop here, as did the Beatles.
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Conran Shop
Find slick kitchenware and tableware, linens, furniture and home accessories at this sleek emporium, nestled in a marvelous space under the Queensboro Bridge, from British design king Terence Conran. Browse through streamlined sofas, Missoni china, Ducati pens, retro Jacob Jensen alarm clocks, Rob Brandt tumblers, Mandarina Duck luggage, Lucite photo frames and much more.
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Daffy's
Two floors of designer duds and accessories (and a random handful of housewares) for men, women and children, with prices that can be shockingly low. And the tags - like those at most discount shops - show you the item's suggested retail price, which, at an average of 50 percent off, just gives you more incentive to buy.
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Dear Fieldbinder
Located on big-name Smith St, this white-walled store more than holds its own with some big name designers - A Cheng, for one - while making sure to showcase some raw talent too (Wendy Hil, Para Gabia, Tom K Nguyen). The clothes are eclectic, but classically feminine.
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Destination
In this all-white space, you'll find hard-to-get jewelry from European designers including Les Bijoux de Sophie, Serge Thoraval and Corpus Christie. Then there are the military chic fashion pieces - funky leather boots with buckles by Gianni Barbato, sailor-inspired pants by John Rocha, cargo bags by Orca - all mixed in with whimsical vests and jackets, bags from Mik and Comptoirs de Trikitrixia shoes (with scented soles, no less!).
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Drama Bookshop
Broadway fans will find treasures in print at this expansive bookstore, which has taken its theater (plays and musicals) seriously since 1917. Staffers are good at recommending worthy selections. Check out the website for regular events, such as talks with playwrights.
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East-West Books
With a calming effect that takes place upon entering, this groovy bookstore stocks a wide array of books on Buddhism and Asian philosophies, plus chill-out music, yoga mats and earthy-crunchy jewelry.
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Economy Candy
Known as the 'Nosher's Paradise of the Lower East Side,' this second-generation family store has an amazing - no, make that astounding - selection of old- and new-style nibbles. Jelly beans, halva, pez, swedish fish and so much more grace the shelves of this corner candy shop.
