-
Malcolm Shabazz
Enjoy some alfresco shopping at this popular marketplace, where you'll find items including African crafts, essential oils, incense, traditional clothing, CDs and bootleg videos. The fish market next door is also a popular snack stop for Harlemites who like the catch of the day deep fried with a side of French fries.
-
Manny's Music
Manny's sells musical instruments, not music, but if you take your licks seriously you'll want to see where Jimi Hendrix had his (right-handed) Stratocasters re-strung. Everyone from Dizzy Gillespie to the Beatles shopped here, leaving behind pictures to prove it.
-
Marc Jacobs
Still going strong, even after years on the scene, Marc Jacobs' three monster stores dominate Bleecker St. Leather bags and accessories at 385; menswear at 403, and his celebrated women's collection holds court at 405.
-
Mary Adams The Dress
You can pick a lacy, romantic Mary Adams off the rack, or ask the designer to make one just for you - prices start at around US$1500 . Adams' designs are eye-catching and innovative while remaining classically romantic. She's a favorite among those shopping for wedding gowns.
-
Mayle
Lush fabrics and classic cuts give the clothes at this Nolita hideaway a vintage feel - but nothing could be further from the truth. They're made on-site with the best modern materials. The big, boxy coats, straight wool skirts and tight-waisted frocks are one-of-a-kind, just like the store.
-
McNally Robinson
Zone out in the cozy café (with wi-fi) inside this fully-stacked indie store that has books on every conceivable subject - food, fiction, travel, architecture, LGBT, to name a few - as well as magazines and newspapers from around the world.
-
Murder Ink/Ivy's Books
The city's first shop devoted to crime and mystery fiction has been stocking everything of the genre, plus stacks of out-of-print titles, since 1972. Its space-partner, Ivy's Books, carries a broad selection of new and used books, with tasteful journals, greeting cards and kids' books in the mix. Gus the dog works here.
-
Murray's Cheese
Founded in 1914, this is repeatedly hailed as the best cheese shop in the city. Owner Rob Kaufelt is, to put it kindly, obsessed with finding the best fromage from all over the world, be it runny, firm, mild, sharp or full of holes. There's a Murray's at Grand Central Terminal, too.
-
Music Store
The East Village stop for new and secondhand instruments of all tenors and tones. Repairs are done on-site for most instruments, and you can pick up accessories and sheet music.
-
Nellie M Boutique
Located off Madison Ave, this inviting boutique carries upscale-but-hip clothing from smaller designer labels (such as Rebecca Taylor) that are found at most Upper East Side (UES) giants. There's also plenty of evening wear and accessories, as well as more sporty finds.
-
Advertisement
-
Orchard Street Bargain District
Back in the day, this large intersection was a free-for-all as Eastern European and Jewish merchants sold anything that could command a buck from their pushcarts. The 300-plus shops you see now aren't as picturesque, but it's a good place to pick up some cheap shirts, tees and jeans. If you like to haggle, take a shot at bargaining over the price.
-
Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop
The world's oldest bookshop geared to gay and lesbian literature (open since 1967) lives in a lovely red-brick townhouse and stocks both new and used books, a fine range of magazines, rainbow flags, bumper stickers and other gifts. Its founder went on to create the Gay Liberation Movement after the 1969 Stonewall Riots.
-
Other Music
An indie-run store that carries new and used offbeat lounge, psychedelic, electronica, indie-rock and more, staffed with helpful, friendly music geeks.
-
Otto Tootsi Plohound
All the labels you love - Miu Miu, Cynthia Rowley, Helmut Lang, Paul Smith and Prada Sport among them - dangle like candy before your eyes. Otto Tootsi's comfy Soho store takes window design to a new level--it's worth stopping by just for the 'wow' factor.
-
Pearl Paint Company
An institution in art circles, Pearl Paint sticks out a mile on Canal St. Taking up four floors of a sprawling warehouse, it's got an obscene amount of space and it's all filled with anything and everything needed for painting, drawing, arts and crafts, gold leaf, glitter, glue and more.
-
Penny Whistle Toys
A small, indie, old-fashioned toy store, this bright shop is full of quality fun stuff, including display-worthy kites, Brio train sets, Czech marionettes, puzzles, costumes and collectible dolls.
-
Pieces Of
Owned by the husband-and-wife duo who opened the first Pieces in Brooklyn, this new outpost has the same eclectic, handpicked collection of clothing and accessories from local and national designers. Find funky, sexy halter dresses, flouncy blouses and Pucci-like tunics, plus a range of hip accessories and unique outerwear.
-
Plaza, Too
If Harry's Shoes is a bit too practical, find your high-fashion footwear at this brand-new outpost of the suburban favorite - it's the first and only NYC location. They've got fancy footwork from the likes of Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Adrienne, Cynthia Rowley, Sigerson Morrison and many more, and the prices are frequently reduced by nearly half at fabulous sales events.
-
Prague Kolektiv
Red-lacquered chairs and chrome-trimmed tables are just two of the retro Czech styles you'll find at this furniture store specializing in 1920s and '30s Eastern European designs.
-
Ralph Lauren
Housed in a beautiful 1890s mansion (one of Manhattan's few remaining residences of that era), Ralph's flagship store is worth the long stroll up Madison Ave, even if you've already stocked up on Polo gear elsewhere. There's a big selection here, with an emphasis on more formal wear, particularly for men.
-
Advertisement
-
Rebecca Taylor
On a block full of fun and funky clothes, this boutique's peek-a-boo designs stand out. Flirty and girlish frocks, swishy skirts and no-cling pants are big crowd pleasers - half of neighboring Nolita is dressed by Ms Taylor.
-
Rebel Rebel
This is a tight-fit, tiny music store with CDs and rare vinyl defying the limits of space. Ask for what you don't see as there is loads more in the back, out of view.
-
Ricky's
This is one of the few times in life when stocking up on mundane essentials like toothpaste and hair gel is actually fun - Ricky's is a drugstore that thinks it's a nightclub, so expect pounding music, hot-pink toothpaste tubes, and lots of glitter, faux-color, and outrageous hair and wardrobe selections. In the back you'll find sex toys, of course.
-
Rizzoli's
This handsome store of the Italian bookstore and publisher sells great art, architecture and design books (as well as general-interest titles). There's also a good collection of foreign newspapers and magazines onsite.
-
Sahadi's
Kalamata olives, fresh hummus, sweet figs and dates, and briny pickles - all sorts of Middle Eastern treats are sold at this specialty store, run by a Middle Eastern family.
