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Elizabeth & Vine
Step gingerly in this independently owned liquor store that lacks space but has excellent depth when it comes to wine selection. You can find anything from table plonk to around US$300 bottles from the world's best vintners. Check out the 'manager's choice' rack in the front that offers insider gems at bargain prices. Chilean and French wines are specialties.
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Essex St Market
A mix of Jewish and Latino (just like the neighborhood), this 80-year old market is a noisy pleasure. Stop by the Essex St Cheese Co if you like milky Comte - it specializes in the French fromage . Schapiro Wines, the city's oldest winery, founded in 1899, is the spot for kosher vino. Just follow your nose through stalls selling pickles, meats, olives and homemade bread.
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FAO Schwartz
The toystore giant, where Tom Hanks played footsie 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 consumerist) 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.
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Filene's Basement
This outpost of the Boston-based chain is not actually in a basement, but three flights up, with a tremendous view of Union Sq. You'll find labels up to 70 percent less than regular retail outlet prices. It has clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, cosmetics and some housewares (such as bedding). Fashionistas willing to go on painstaking searches could unearth treasures, including apparel from Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors, Versace and more.
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Foley + Corinna
This vintage store with a few of its own unique designs is pure girly romance. Delicate dresses, tees, tanks and blouses matched with flirty skirts are the signature style, along with Corinna's unique shoe and jewelry designs.
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Footlight Records
Home to a well-chosen collection of out-of-print Broadway and foreign-movie soundtracks, Footlight is a must-visit for vinyl hounds, show tune lovers and anyone searching for a particular version of a hard-to-find cabaret song.
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Forbidden Planet
Card-game lovers match wits and luck in the upstairs room of this sci-fi favorite. It stocks comix, video games and any kind of figurine you could want (Star Wars to William Shatner).
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Ghostown
A used and gently worn clothing store that also doubles as a club on certain nights of the week, Ghostown carries men's and women's streetwear from local designers and brands. The parties come and go; check in with the owners while you're in town.
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Ghurka
Take the hassle out of buying luggage with a visit to this specialty store that crafts carry-on and full-sized bags out of high-quality leather and other materials. Most bags also have nifty rollers that pop out of nowhere and other thoughtful additions that make organizing a breeze.
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Harry's Shoes
While not specifically for children, with an extensive collection of fine European brands sized for the wee ones, it'd be a shame to overlook Harry's. Plus, it makes a great first-time experience for a tot; the salespeople still use the old-style classic metal rulers to take clients' foot sizes.
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Housing Works Used Book Cafe
Relaxed, earthy and full of fabulous books you can buy for a good cause (proceeds go to the city's HIV-positive and AIDS homeless communities), this spacious café is a great place to while away a few quiet afternoon hours.
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Issey Miyake
Gorgeous skirts, pretty pleats and tons of snazzy, silky shirts line the racks at Issey Miyake's downtown store. The merchandise fits in perfectly with the neighborhood, but the prices are more uptown than downtown.
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J & R
Anything and everything related to technology, video games, sound systems and music can be found in J&R's three multi-story stores between Ann and Beekman Streets.
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Jacques Torres Chocolate
Serious chocolatier JT runs this small European-style store with three-table café, filled with the most velvety and innovative chocolates ever crafted. Take a few to the nearby Empire Fulton Ferry State Park for a snack and a view between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges. The shop also does a brisk Internet business, and makes its delicacies available at Chocolate Bar in the West Village.
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Jeffrey New York
Come to the store that started it all - Jeffrey's was one of the first major design emporiums to brave the Meatpacking District's cobblestone streets, and it stays on top of trends to this day. Valencia, Prada and more sold here, with some cosmetics.
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Jimmy Choo
To understand the appeal of Jimmy Choo's, you've got to like high heels (as in sky-high heels - even the sandals have stilettos). You can find thick leather boots, closed-toe pumps, and ethereal, flirty sling backs in satin or leather at this uptown store.
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Jumel Terrace Books
Housed in a historic private home, this new shop specializes in tomes on Africana, Harlem history and African American literature. You've got to call to set up an appointment, but if you're fascinated by rare books, and rare opportunities to shop at a beautiful home, it's worth it.
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Jutta Neumann
These handcrafted leather accessories by German-born Neumann get snapped up as soon as they hit the shelves. Wallets, bags, sandals and coats can be custom-made, or given a special design twist just for you (at a price, of course.)
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Kentshire Galleries
There are three floors of 18th- and 19th-century Georgian and Regency period pieces at Kentshire, but the real must-see items are in the jewelry collection. Check out the vintage Van Cleef & Arpel's gold watches, and delicate drop-pearl Edwardian earrings.
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Les Pierre Antiques
You can browse through three floors of beautifully refurbished French furniture, mostly from the 18th and 19th centuries. Mostly heavy wood pieced, the massive armoires and solid dining tables will make you crave a country home.
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Liberty House
A 1960s grassroots cooperative designed to promote the work of American artisans and farmers, Liberty House retains its eco-friendly mission even in today's global economy. Women and children can pick up organic, natural fiber clothes (no sweatshop labor here, thank you very much!) and its imported goods are bought directly from artists and artisan collectives who use only recycled or non-endangered woods and materials.
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Loopy Mango
The brainchild of crochet designer Waejong Kim and artist Anna Pulvermakher, Loopy Mango features Waejong's one-of-a-kind crochet clothes and accessories, and Anna's series of woodcuts and crochet jewelry and accessories. The two women, both artists, opened a second DUMBO store on Front St; they carry other designers like Cynthia Rowley and Vera Wang.
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Love Saves the Day
In a city awash with gentrification, it's nice when some things stay the same, like this store's campy polyester clothes, fake fur coats, glam-rock spiked boots, Star Wars '77 figurines and other dolls and vintage toys. Not much has changed since Rosanna Arquette bought Madonna's pyramid jacket here in Desperately Seeking Susan .
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Luca Luca
Italian designer Orlandi Luca achieves what so few can: sultry, sensual clothes that can be worn by women of all ages. Famous for glittery, flowing evening gowns that cling in all the right places, Luca Luca also has a stellar line of separates for day.
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Macy's
Mind your fingers on the old wooden elevators, a highlight of a Macy's trip. The store's goods, mainly linens, clothing, furniture, kitchenware, shoes and more, are affordable and basic. You can lose yourself for hours here, the world's largest department store.
