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.

Okay, Find Outlet does indeed exist, and carries clothing that you'd find at Barney's Coop (SEE by Chloe, Mon Petit Oiseau, etc). Most of the clothing is by young, up-and-coming, hip designers. The prices are generally really great, and they frequently get new items. If the teenage girls are into young, hip, designer clothing, they'll love it. Find Outlet basically carries sale merchandise that represents the kind of clothing that H&M knocks off. There are two locations: one is in Nolita and one is in Chelsea (17th between 7th and 8th if memory serves). The Chelsea location is a little, with more merchandise and less crowds, but the Nolita location is more useful for Chinatown/SoHo access.

Here's what to do: go to SoHo and hit H&M and all the rest, and then wander only a few blocks East and you'll be at Find Outlet (and loads of other hip boutiques (all of these streets, from SoHo to Bowery are excellent).

Oh, and for the record, taking a bus from the Port Authority to go to a Jersey mall is insane. That's like leaving a unique Paris bistro on a bus so that you can eat an Olive Garden off an interstate.

I suspect you didn't come to NYC for a Jersey mall.

Thanks for all the advice. Think we'll stick with the 34th St. area as it fits in with husbands plans - but will definitely check some of the other areas out next trip!

Gekko & gummo66 - I should thank you both. In the future I will be more concious of my own answers on these threads, as I can now feel the sting of having my sincere advice rebuffed by Fodorites clearly more knowledgeable on a topic than myself.

I was giving a sincere option to OP with the JG suggestion. After thinking they were looking for outlet shopping. (I'd never heard of "Find Outlet", and thought OP was asking should she "find an outlet" instead of going to Century 21). I offered an option only. And as the thread progressed, she got better options...that's fine. What isn't fine was the rude way you both reacted to my simple suggestion.

I personally don't shop at JG, but it seemed like a reasonable option for teenage outlet shopping.

Thanks for reminding me to be concious of my own tone in future posts.

You're welcome, tpatricco. Glad we could help you. I'd suggest in the future, if you're not <i>sure</i>, or if you're confused, simply don't comment. That way you'll avoid the &quot;sting.&quot;

Smccrary4, the 34th Street area is a good choice if you face time constraints. And don't forget, you're very close to Times Square for sightseeing or a meal before or after shopping.

Enjoy NYC!

Agreed, Gecko. tpatriccio shouldn't baselessly send unfamiliar travelers to random sites. It's always better to err on the side of caution, since people asking for advice are searching for solid information.

All the best for a good trip, smccrary4!

tpattrico, I interpreted Find Outlet the same way you did thinking it meant find AN outlet. There was nothing wrong with your advice, I have read the same advice several times on Fodors. Don't feel bad okay.

Thank you to those who have educated me on &quot;Find Outlet&quot;. Chelsea location is convenient for me and I should like to drop some bucks when I go there tomorrow. :D

gummo66, I didn't baselessly suggest anything random at all.

Although I don't typically shop at JG even though I live 10 mins away, I have been there and did (and still do) think it is a reasonable suggestion for teen outlet shopping near NYC.

And it's t-pa-tric-co. Not t-pat-ri-cci-o. If you're going to direct comments at me or in reference to me, the very least you can do is spell my name right.

Whoa! what is this?? GEkko and Gummo ( twins? Marx Bros?) why such venom when someone sincerely posts to help. That is , in case we forget, what Fodors is about..when someone asks a question, we all get to chime in with our thoughts, opinions and advice. But to attack her because you do not agree with her advice is just plain nasty.
I hope you do not turn new posters off with this behavior.. I would certainly think twice before answering a question if someone might be as snide as what I see here...

And you should think twice before answering if you don't know what you're talking about or are confused.

&quot;When in doubt, leave it out.&quot;

Despite the anonymity of this board, people actually follow the advice they read. Bad advice should be called out immediately and is not an &quot;attack.&quot;

It most certainly is &quot;ridiculous&quot; and &quot;insane&quot; for NYC tourists with limited time to take a bus to an outlet mall in New Jersey. As gummo66 said, it's &quot;like leaving a unique Paris bistro on a bus so that you can eat at an Olive Garden off an interstate.&quot;

Gekko, why are you taking this so personally?
I lived in NYC for years and years, up until last Jan, this does not bother me nor does it seem to upset the many other NYers who post here.
BTW- I have seen many people ask on these boards about coming to NYC but wanting to go to Woodbury Commons etc, so it is not unheard of.
Time to take a deep breath?

Conway has several locations in the 34th St area, one right next to Macy's at 35th and Broadway. Inexpensive knockoffs of higher priced items and LOTS of jeans also well priced.

Along 34th between 5th and 6th they should find several stores to shop, including Express, Ann Taylor Loft, Strawberry, and LOTS of shoe stores.

Also Herald Center has a Daffy's on the top floor and next to that is Manhattan Mall with a Charlotte Russo, which they will also LOVE.

On 14th St we stumbled recently onto a NEW Filene's Basement, (in the old Bradley's location for other NYCrs), and a DSW (shoes) .....(FINALLY in Manhattan, although there is one in Battery Park but have not been there)

Filene's takes up 3 or 4 floors of the building so there should be lots of good shopping there as well.

You asked about eating lunch in the 34th St area, it's mostly fast food, but you might try the food court at Manahattan Mall.

Also right across the street is a burger place that has the best burgers and fries. It's right on the corner of 32nd and 6th.

If you want a fun place to shop, you might try Jack's. The entire first floor is $0.99, and there is a huge selection of all kinds of things.

On 34th St again is a huge Old Navy and I'm sure they will also like that.

So you won't have a problem finding stores the teens will like and you should get some great prices on everything.

Have a GREAT time.

Ok Gekko, since you brought up the sayings...how about &quot;When you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.&quot;

Best of luck to you smccrary4 &amp; your teens with your shopping expedition in NYC, please post a trip report and let us know all the great bargains you find in the Big Apple!

Thanks for all the advice - wish we could have hit all the stores suggested but we did have limited time....When presented with the suggested options, our group voted to check out Broadway between 8th Ave and Canal St. as some also wanted to see NYU. We took the subway to 4th St., ate lunch at Cafe Henri (formerly Le Gamin) and enjoyed hot chocolate and wonderful crepes! Then walked around Washington Square. We found some really cute shoe and handbag / accessory shops on 8th with great buys, and Broadway was full of cool stores! Shopped so long in some we didn't get to check them all out....maybe next time! We then took the subway to Century 21 for the last hour before it closed at 7. Felt like there were plenty of bargains to be found but it would take more time and energy to dig them out than we had at that point. Also had a chance to check out an H&amp;M where we also found some great buys. Thanks again for the tips!