Shopping in New York City

>>  New York City does provide a lot of shopping opportunities. When you visit for a short time, however, the proliferation of bank buildings in former shopping areas and the increased presence of chain stores in the city make it a bit difficult to find truly unique products. Hopefully, Littleviews can help you discover new items as well as interesting things to do, taste, and see.

I judge a good shopping opportunity by whether the shop itself is appealing, the area surrounding the shop is interesting, and, of course, the products in the shop are unique. I do not look specifically for bargains, but I keep an eye out for reasonably priced items.

Of course, we all shop for good eating experiences. My dining and candy recommendations are based on whether these businesses are housed in exceptionally attractive settings and/or their food is unique. Although high-quality, tasty food is a consideration, I do not recommend products based on relative standards of excellence. Instead, I look for good presentation.

All that said, you might want to check my list of New York City's Best Chocolate and Candy Shops.

Note: This shopping column displays the last six months of recommendations. If you remember a special shop from sometime in the past, just ask, and I'll dig it out for you.

Questions? Ask away . . .
Karen Little
March 10, 2010

Pastel, pretty, and slightly old fashioned - Billy's Bakery March 2, 2010: Billy's Bakery is yet one more place where you can buy those coveted, New York City-style cupcakes and this pastel-colored shop is one of the best. During the summer, long lines of shoppers queue past the door, so take advantage of the cooler months to pick up a treat. I am especially impressed with the way individual cupcakes are packaged! Consider buying them for host or hostess gifts, instead of bringing a bottle of wine. Pictured is their 184 9th Avenue by W. 21st Street, which is very near the new High Line park. A second location (which I haven't seen) is at 75 Franklin Street, between Broadway and Church Street.

Chocolate cafe and boutiques next to Bryant Park in New York City February 5, 2010: Unique, New York-type shopping is reappearing next to Bryant Park on 6th Avenue and on West 40th. During February, I'll highlight the area's exciting places to browse, plus will publish an article on the stunning SoHo Woman Boutique. Watch for them! This shopping tip is about the delightful Lily O'Brien's Irish Chocolate Cafe, a charming, year-old cafe featuring chocolate drinks (plus other beverages), chocolate desserts, and handmade chocolate candy. The candy I've sampled is firmer than most, making it easy to nibble when paired with coffee. Flavors change weekly. Individual chocolates are $1.20 each and the pretty treat you see here came to $5.23, including taxes. 36 W. 40th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues For more information about the shops around Bryant Park, see our article entitled Browse Along Bryant Park on 6th Avenue and 40th Street in New York City.

Cute hats and scarves in New York that you might not find January 21, 2010: I hope you find this trove of lush scarves and beaded baseball caps (among many things). The problem is that they are offered for sale in a temporary store named Legato Boutique at 109 E 42nd Street, next to Grand Central Terminal. The boutique itself is small, but not tiny, letting you consider most of its wide selection of unusual headgear and accessories at a glance. Its permant shop (which is a distributorship) is named American Headwear, and, according to its business card, it is located on 1030 6th Avenue. That said, I have not been there to check it out and the website provided on that card is not in service. But what the heck...if you are a scarf-buff, check out both places and hope that one or the other still exists. If they do, you'll see scarf and accessory styles not commonly seen elsewhere, selling at a reasonable $20 to $35. And while their wide-range of casual hats are also worth seeking out, it's their jeweled baseball caps ($35 to around $350) that steal the display. These caps are perfect for women-who-like-to-have-fun, and make great headgear for friends who travel in "gal's night out" packs.

Visit the o-mah-gawd Fred Leighton Jewelry Store January 8, 2010: I love over-the-top, sparkly, worthy-of-old-time-royalty, and just plain lovely jewelry. To get my fix, I drop by Fred Leighton to see what appears to be a museum-load of bejeweled treasures. I plan on writing an article about this store in February, but even without that article to guide you, I encourage you to see it for yourself. Do you still harbor an inner princess (or, for that matter, prince)? This is the place to supplement your fantasies. For fun, check Fred Leighton's website: www.FredLeighton.com. Wait several seconds for it to start moving (it takes a long time to load). Websites, however, are *never* better than the stores they describe. Physically standing next to cases of glittery, wearable art provides most people of like mind with a treasure-trove of experiential pleasure. 773 Madison Avenue.

Enjoy fresh, perfect hamburgers at HB Burger January 4, 2010: Yesterday, while walking west on 43rd Street from Grand Central (to stay out of 42nd Street's icy wind), we discovered HB Burger. Well, we were slow to discover it as this restaurant opened in early 2009, but were glad we did. In the shadow of its sister restaurant, Heartland Brewery & Chop House, HB Burger is a charming, full-service restaurant. I recommend that you try it. Unlike Heartland Brewery's other restaurants (all of which feature its famous Brooklyn-brewed beer), HB Burger focuses almost exclusively on burger preparation. Are you on a tight budget? Its $7.50, tender, half-pound burger is enough for two. Dinners (which include fish, chicken, and salads) range from $14 to $17. I like my burgers plain and rare, so its HB Beef fits my needs. Other popular burgers include Buffalo-style, Kobe beef, Prime steak, and the unusual free-range bison. If you are new in town, venture off Time Square's Broadway at 43rd Street, heading east to 127 43rd Street. There, you'll find this restaurant, plus New York's famous Town Hall stage and the Henry Miller Theatre.

Tips on 2009 holiday shopping December 17, 2009: I recently posted two articles that may interest you and your holiday shopping. They are: Visit The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park Visit the New York Public Library Gift Shop

Lee's Studio on 57th Street December 14, 2009: The Time Warner Center area is always a "must" to visit when you are in New York City. The building is stunning, it is across the street from Central Park, is next to periodic holiday fairs, is near Lincoln Center, and is only a short distance from 57th Street shopping. That said, one of my absolute favorite places to shop in New York is Lee's Studio - Lee's Art Shop on 57th (near Broadway), where I've purchased furniture, gifts, art and craft supplies, and books throughout the years. As an art supply shop, it has everything, which is handy for students of The Art Student's League just down the block. As a gift shop, you'll find unique items for as little as $5, many between $45-$60, and even more over $100. You'll see many paper-based products, pen and desk accessories, artificial flowers, novelties, handbags, ornaments, frames, and jewelry (to name a few things). It also has a toy shop with equally unique items. Despite being a first-class place to shop, its three websites do not always work correctly. That said, these websites represent: Lee's Studio Home: This site features a catalog of furniture, home accessories, seating, tables, and lighting. Lee's Studio - the shop This site provides an overview of Lee's multi-story shop. Lee's Studio - Art Shop: This site provides more information about Lee's Art Shop and products, along with many broken links. 220 W. 57th Street, Between Broadway and 7th Avenue

See Beautifully Decorated Holiday Windows, Stores, and Lobbies for Free in New York City December 3, 2009: Check out windows and stunning interior decorations at: American Museum of Natural History Holiday Tree: Suggested donation to take a peek, or free if you ask. Central Park West at 79th Street. Barneys New York: 600 Madison Avenue at 61st Street. Bergdorf Goodman: 5th Avenue at 57th Street. Grand Central Kaleidoscope Light Show: Floating light projection patterns on grand walls! Grand Central Terminal on 42nd Street. Holiday Train Show at Grand Central: Check out the New York Transit Museum Gallery display! Grand Central Terminal on 42nd Street. Macy's Herald Square: Famous windows! 34th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. Henri Bendel: 712 5th Avenue at 56th Street. Lord & Taylor: 4424 5th Avenue between 38th and 39th Streets. Metropolitan Museum of Art Christmas Tree: Suggested donation to take a peek, or free if you ask. 100 5th Avenue at 82nd Street. Saks 5th Avenue. Also pick up free New York travel guides! 5th Avenue at 50th Street. Time Warner Center - Under the Stars: Climb to upper floors and watch the star-studded lobby turn colors. Columbus Circle, Broadway at 60th Street. Trump Tower: Holiday decorations, plus a breath-taking waterfall. 5th Avenue and E. 56th Street. UBS Building: Mechanical window display. 299 Park Avenue at 49th Street. And peek into... : Make a point of checking out grand hotels and business buildings!

2009 Winter Holiday Gift Bazaars in New York City - NYC December 1, 2009: New York City's holiday gift bazaars open around Thanksgiving and stay open through December 24th. Here's the list: Bryant Park: In the evening, this bazaar is my favorite shopping extravaganza. It features shops cast as cabins, a skating rink, an antique merry-go-round, a fountain, an abundance of hot chocolate, the stunning Bryant Park Cafe, and the famous main New York Public Library. 42nd Street at 6th Avenue Grand Central Holiday Fair: Here you'll find high-quality gifts and crafts, with American craftspeople represented. While not a juried crafts fair, it is similar to one. Nearby treats include Grand Central's first-rate restaurants, fresh bakery, and its "taste of NYC" food court. Eating "in" is a nice touch when its cold outside. 42nd Street, between Vanderbilt and Lexington Avenues Holiday Market at Union Square: This huge bazaar primarily features imported crafts. On Fridays and Saturdays, it is complemented by a large Greenmarket where you can buy veggies, flowers, maple candy, yarn, jams, wine, and other locally produced goodies during the day. This thrilling location attracks tens of thousands when weekend weather is beautiful, so if shopping is your mission, sharpen your elbows, otherwise, browse during bad weather. Broadway, between 17th and 14th Streets Holiday Market at Columbus Circle: This is organized by the people responsible for the Union Square Holiday Market and features many of the sparkling vendors found in other holiday markets. Broadway and Columbus Circle between 58th and 60th Streets Holiday Gift Shops at St. Bartholomew's: This is the smallest of New York’s holiday bazaars. With the exception of sterling silver jewelry, I've found that the items being sold here are similar to what you'd find in a street fair. It improves each year, so if you are in the neighborhood, check it out. Park Avenue, between 50th and 51st Streets

Burgers & Cupcakes, the best burgers (and cupcakes) in NYC November 11, 2009: Michel London is a professional caterer known for excellence in food, much of which is produced at Burgers & Cupcakes, his shop on 9th Avenue. Excellence in preparing burgers and cupcakes is, of course, subjective and is a topic hotly argued from time to time by foodies at TimeOut New York. My "best" vote goes to both delicacies made at London's shop. His burgers have always been perfectly done to my request and are covered with a bun that doesn't overwhelm the meat. At $6.50, they beat everything in town. Complete your meal with a $2.50 or $3.50 cupcake. London's moist, freshly-baked cakes are topped butter cream frosting that does not leave an aftertaste. Indulge your inner glut and order two small cupcakes so you can sample contrasting flavors, like vanilla and chocolate. Connected to this shop is London's pizzeria, which specializes in cracker-crisp crusts. Note that this is not a fast food joint. Service and meals are leisurely. If you dine alone, you'll like the fact that there is a convenience store nearby where you can buy newspapers. I usually choose the NY Post because it features breezy articles and often runs valuable Macy's coupons. 458 9th Avenue between 35th and 36th Streets (No website)

LaDuca Shoes - dancing shoes for women of all professions November 6, 2009: Do you get excited when you see uniquely styled, handcrafted shoes made from glove soft leather by Italian craftsmen? And do you like to dance? Stop by LaDuca Shoes, where you will see 5th Avenue styles sold on humble 9th Avenue. These dressiest-of-dress shoes are made for the feet of professional dancers (female and male), actors, and commoners, alike. While there, thrill to the sight of numerous photos of America's top stars who signed their images thanking owner Phil LaDuca for his merchandise. Pricey? Well, these shoes are far more reasonable than what you might buy at Saks, and quite possibly, more comfortable, too. LaDuca's website (www.LaDucaShoes.com) doesn't begin to visually describe what you'll see in this small, but well-heeled shop. It is located in an interesting-yet-gritty area on 9th Avenue, near the NY NJ Port Authority, several cool (and affordable) restaurants, and the famous Cup Cake Cafe. For more information on owner Phil LaDuca and many of the celebrities that wear his shoes, check this 2005 TheaterMania article. 534 9th Avenue at 39th Street

Dedicated gifts of paper October 25, 2009: Stop by PrintIcon to browse through an amazing selection of paper-based items, including paper rain coats and messenger bags! While you can check out their website (which, unfortunately, does not always behave as it should), you *must* stop by their store. It is a beautifully decorated, full-service printship that also features a wide array of decorative items. Among the best are an exclusive selection of cardboard products that are locally manufactured across the Hudson River in Union City, New Jersey. These cardboard products (many of which are not on their website) include human-sized furniture, space dividers, unusual wall hangings, and various types of vases, all of which you can decorate yourself. Best are children's toys such as you see here. These sturdy cardboard toys include a rocket ship, TeePee, lemonade stand, playhouse, chair, doll house, and airplane (plus more). Ranging in price from $40 to $95, they are perfect for home, daycare centers, or classrooms. After assembling the toys, just give kids paints, felt tip markers, and perhaps glue and glitter to finish them properly. 7 West 18th Street, New York - www.PrintIcon.com

Finding a good deal in New York City October 22, 2009: If you are a bargain hunter, you'll find a huge difference between what is truly a "good deal" as compared to what is "cheap," "discounted," and/or "free when purchased with a related product or service." Many people wrongly think that what they see sold on the streets of New York City are bargains. The truth is that only a few are. Most products (such as pleather handbags) cost far less at places like Target, Kohls, and Walmart. You actually pay a premium for street pushcart merchandise, while thinking you got a deal because of low overhead. Want to buy "street scarves?" Yes, at $5 each, they are inexpensively priced, but you can buy far better quality scarves for very reasonable prices in regular stores (especially discount-type stores such as Loehmann's or Century 21) if you know what "quality" is. Hint: Look at the edges. Are they firm and secure? Not puckered? Stitched by hand? Love to shop at holiday fairs and street fairs? Seek truly unique items, or, if you understand merchandising, look for distributors who are introducing or dumping products. Generally ignore hype that contains one or more of these words: bargain, discount, cheap, deal, door-buster. Avoid altogether "knockoff." Love resale? Beware that in New York, some resale prices are set higher than when the items were first introduced (often true for jewelry), or are set at standard sale prices for new items. A good deal is the price you can afford for what you want to buy as compared to the price you'd normally pay for the product's highest quality. The best bargain-hunting strategy is to regularly shop where the highest quality merchandise (or service) is available. Start on top, then work your way down, making comparisons along the way. If you start seeking deals at the bottom, you will generally pay way too much for what you buy, even though you think they have low prices. When you use this strategy, you'll begin to see when all prices at a certain level are being adjusted (not "discounted") lower to a level where more sales can be made. A seemingly once-in-a-lifetime buying option, then, might continue for some time, thereby increasing its affordability and selectability. Note that during price adjustment periods, you might also become aware that quality is also being lowered. In this case, snap up the best quality, older merchandise immediately. Buy stunning leather handbags, for example, and not inexpensive pleather (no matter what designer brand name it has). The more you know about quality and related buying options, the better you can discriminate between choices and stretch your buying power!

Glamour, spandex, Patricia Field, and naughty bits October 22, 2009: It's a fairly short walk from Union Square to Houston Street and then to The Bowery. Patricia Field's boutique is near the corner that's anchored by a giagantic Whole Foods (which is close to the cool Sunshine Cinema). Here you'll find her large boutique, which is a place where girls-(and a few boys)-who-want-to-have-fun shop for their partywear. You may know Patricia Field as the award-winning costume designer for Sex and the City. Patricia's fashion and retail roots, however, have always been in partyware; wild and wonderful. Her shop's outdoor signs poke fun of the neighborhood, which at one time was known as the restaurant supply district (it still is, but not as much). Browse here for bustiers, tiny minis, metallic tights, and a little something that no women should be without - a sequin strap bondage dress. Expect to see fun, fashionable, and naughty things. Her website does not do justice to the variety of her merchandise, murals (hummm!), or to her colorful sales staff. 302 Bowery, near Houston Street - www.patriciafield.com

Suarez Handbags - designed in New York and made in Italy October 20, 2009: When you are in the mood to shop for beautifully made, originally designed handbags and leather goods, stop by Suarez Handbags at 5 West 56th Street just off 5th Avenue. Handbags are designed by Matthew Suarez (a member of this multi-generational, family-owned operation) and are constructed in Italy by traditional craftsmen. Most bags are made of finely tanned leathers, including alligator and ostrich. Prices range from $300 to $3,000. Need your hair done? Suarez is next door to Sassoon. And what is around the corner on 5th Avenue? There you'll see BVLGARI, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Bergdorf Goodman, to name just a few places where lovely handbags can be found. Please browse everywhere! Oh, and while you are at it, make a point of comparing prices. While you are in the neighborhood, admire the beautiful interior of Trump Tower (and perhaps take advantage of its equally stunning public restrooms).

My favorate place to shop for clothing - Bolton's September 25, 2009: Actually, my favorite places to shop are Bolton's, Saks 5th Avenue, and Bergdorf Goodman's, but I'll tell you more about all that on another day. My heart and wallet, however, goes out to Bolton's. Have you ever seen the bumper sign "Caution! I stop at rummage sales..."? Well, whenever I walk by a Bolton's, I stop in, no matter what my clothing needs are. I simply love hunting through its racks for something exceptional at an equally exceptional, rock-bottom price. Bolton's is an overstock, odds 'n ends shop filled with interesting brands and styles. It is not a high-end designer discount shop, so don't expect to see Gucci or Giorgio Armani. Their merchandise quality, however, is always higher than what's provided through mega-retailers, such as H&M, Forever 21, and stores of that type. As Bolton's display only a few pieces of each item, approach their inventory as a treasure hunter, rather than as someone trying to acquire wardrobe staples. Are you visiting Manhattan? You'll find snooping through these shops worthwhile. Bolton's features American sizes 12 and below, and like anywhere in Manhattan, the smaller you are, the better the selection and bargains. For locations (and there are many), see www.BoltonsStores.com.