Century 21 or Find Outlet?
 

We are visiting NY this weekend to shop with teenagers (girls) with somewhat limited time. Which would appeal more to teens - Century 21 or Find Outlet - or are they about the same?

Hi smccrary4, although Century 21 is known for bargains, this weekend is supposed to be quite cold in NYC.

If you're open to it, Jersey Gardens Outlet Mall could provide a few hours of shopping fun in an indoor setting (nice and warm). Not sure how you're getting to NYC, but it's not difficult to take the Bus directly from NY Port Authority Bus Terminal to JG in Elizabeth. I think it takes about 40 mins on the bus each way to get there. JG is not far from Newark Airport.

Please do not leave NYC to shop. That's ridiculous. Teens love H&M, and there's a huge new one right next to Bloomingdale's on Lexington Avenue. H&M's prices are rock-bottom.

Another option is Canal Street in Chinatown (knock-offs) and lower Broadway north of Canal -- plenty of stores that they'll love.

Century 21 is a great place to find bargains -- but from a style point of view it has no more appeal to teens than any big department store.

Century 21 is also complete zoo on the weekends. It is cramped, very crowded, and there are not enough dressing rooms, and you will wait forever for one.
My daughter and I enjoyed Pearl River mart in Soho (and just walking the streets and cool shops in that area; then we walked over to Little Italy to eat). I bought some clothes at Pearl River, she got purses and hair things, and the browsing is very fun.
I never had Find Outlet recommended to me for our shopping trip, have no idea on that one.

Gekko, it's not that rediculous a suggestion to leave NYC for shopping...especially outlet shopping.

It's a good tax break too. Only 3% at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth.

It just depends on what kind of shopping experience you're teens are looking for.

Is there really a place called "Find Outlets". I've never heard of it. I've lived in the area for 33 years.

H&M is a definite. I think our time contraints preclude us from going to the Jersey Gardens Mall - maybe another trip. I think we will try Broadway between Houston and Canal. Any suggestions for fun/affordable lunch in this area - preferably near Houston St. ?

Pearl River Mart is on Broadway just north of Canal, on the west side of the street.

Regarding lunch, you'll see plenty of options, or if you'd prefer something a little "better," check out Jane on Houston between LaGuardia and Thompson. It's very popular, particularly for brunch (which New Yorkers eat up 'til 3pm or so on weekends).

Enjoy!

There are about 6 H&Ms in Manhattan -- check out their web site and go prepared with a list of addresses so you can visit the ones that are near the other things you're doing. I spent a week in NYC with my 18-year-old daughter last summer and we hit at least 4 H&Ms. But she was an H&M employee at the time and had to see how the other stores did things! She got a kick out of Pearl River, Kate's Paperie and other Soho area stores. I can't imagine traveling to NYC and then shopping at an outlet mall. Don't they have those things in every state?

I was checking my map - are we talking about W. Broadway or Broadway?

Pearl River Mart and the stores I think your teens will enjoy are on Broadway.

(West Broadway is great, but it's definitely more upscale in terms of price.)

I would agree about Century 21, it is very crowded and I don't think will appeal all that much to teens.

I would suggest staying in the 34th St area, H&M, and for TEENS Conway is a great place for jeans, tee shirts, sweaters etc, low prices and lots of options.

H&M has 2 large stores there on 34th and 6th and 34th and 7th. Macy's is certainly worth a trip and Daffy's is across the street on 6th and 34th and will be a hit with the teens as well.

As far as lunch, there are a few places around Houston near Broadway, and you are close to the village, so head west on W 4th St to all the cafes, which are near NYU.

Have a great time while you are here.

I'm chiming in to say that Century 21 would only appeal to teens who know and appreciate high-end fashion labels. The things will be marked down drastically, but many are still not cheap by, say, Gap standards. I'd go with H&M and Pearl River and then budget some time for browsing boutiques in the Village or SoHo, if weather prmits.

Century 21 is not just high end. The 3rd floor does have high end and some very high end. The 2nd floor has an area for juniors with inexpensive to moderate, more comparable with what you'll find in H&M.

Other stores teens like (although they can be found outside of NYC too), are Wet Seal, Urban Outfitter, Forever 21 & FCUK (French Connection UK). Besides Century 21, other discount stores are Daffy's, which has stores all over, and there's a store on Lafayette, south of Canal St that has designer closes, mostly for the younger crowd) at a discount. There also are many little stores on 8th st between broadway and 6th avenue.

smccrary4, Broadway.

WHat is this FInd Outlet anyway??

I have read about Find Outlet online and in Fodor's. It's in Nolita on Mott and sounds like a perhaps not as overwhelming Century 21 with trendier clothes?

MFNYC, I googled " Find Outlet" out of curiosity. Aparently it's a store at 229 Mott Street that sells discount clothing.

From the NY Times Online listing:
"These outlets are like year-round sample sales. Both locations stock up-and-coming and established designer merchandise for 50%-80% off the original price. It's easy to make finds on a regular basis, as the stock is replenished daily. For a wider selection visit the Chelsea shop; it's open only Thursday through Sunday, however. Other location: 361 W. 17th St., between 8th and 9th Aves., Chelsea, 10011, PHONE: 212/243-3177."

Anybody ever been there?

What about Daffy's? There's enough locations, for one thing.

Thanks for all the suggestions - so many choices! Never heard of Teens Conway but it sounds good - Completely forgot about Macy's - and with H&M and Daffy's in the same vicinity we may just concentrate on the 34th St. area. Any suggestions for lunch around there?

Macy's is huge and famous, but are they really of special interst to a teen, or anyone else?

Macy's is a big department store with a large selection of clothing appealing to teens.

Also great sales in January.