NYC Shopping
 

One Day to Shop til I drop, uptown too spread out. Loved Daffy's and Century 21 last time in NYC. Looking for neighborhood with close together shops, thrift stores funky stuff, no GAP or Old Navy Puh-lease. Also any open air food or flea markets last weekend in Oct. 2003??

thanks

If you head over to 5th Ave from 14th to 18th you will find some fun stores, and then head over to 6th Ave to Filene's and TJ Maxx, then up 6th to Burlington Coat Factory, and continue up 6th to the flea markets around 25-26th Sts, and off 6th AVe in the area as well. There are a few shops between there and 30th st that you might find interesting, lots of leather coats, and of course Daffy's and Macy's at Harald Square.

Have a great time and enjoy your shopping.

Even though I live in NYC I"ve never been to Century 21. Can someone please tell me what they sell there? I know clothes but what kind, and anything else of interest? Plus, is the store still down by Ground Zero? Thanks!

Abby -- Century 21 sells pretty much everything. They sell lots of designer clothes, handbags and shoes at discount prices. They also have a decent selection of toiletries, hair care products, etc. It is hit or miss. You might find a great suit or a nice cocktail dress or you might find nothing. I still regret not getting that Bally bag that was only about $150 instead of $600 or so.

Thanks lisette! Is there a website? What kind of brand are we talking about here? I'm not a huge label person but there are some that fit me better than others, you know??? Thanks again.

Think of Century 21 as a TJ Maxx or Syms. They do deal buys with suppliers and pick up other stores excess merchandise. If you have the time, you can find some good buys. (I recently saw an Armani mens' suit that still had the Dillards tag on the inside. Wasn't my size.)

Lisa, Soho is always a good bet. Plenty of small shops and some brand names. My wife usually comes back from her Soho excursions with interesting items.

You're looking for <b>Broadway</b>, from Canal up through SoHo. Yes, you'll walk past some chains, but there's plenty of great &quot;funky stuff&quot; packed together along the way.

Or, if you truly mean &quot;funky,&quot; check out <b>St. Mark's Place</b>, between Third Avenue and Avenue A.

For outdoor markets, there's always one on Broadway at 4th st (near tower records) and Spring St &amp; (I think) W. Broadway. Also check for street fairs (see www.nycstreetfairs.com/sched.html).

Century 21 is much much larger than any other discount department store. It is comparable in size to the other NYC giants and has a huge selection.

Lisa, most vintage places can be very overpriced so please know what you are getting before you buy.

One of my favorites is H&amp;M. Prices similar to Old Navy but cutting edge fashion.

Here's a thread about vintage/second hand clothing stores.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34390660

IMO you won't fine one neighborhood for everything you want. Noho (the area just north of Houston) has the Antique boutique &amp; some funky shops. There was a recent thread here on thrift shops but can't seem to find it. There are a number on the upper east side in the 70's around 3rd ave &amp; Lexington-one name is Spence/Chapin.

Best open air food market is Union Square. Flea market on 6th ave in the 20's thta's been mentioned is good.

Wow! I am overwhelmed with the response. Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply. I'll post a trip report after I get home with all my bargains. Oh, also, anyone know of any beading/jewelry supply stores, preferably wholesale for purchasing jewelry making supplies?

thanks so much,
Lisa

Always love these nyc shopping threads!

Where is the best place to find QUALITY leather jackets at the best price?

Thx!

Re: beading and jewelry supplies..I get some great interesting beads and things at a place in Soho called LeKahn (the spelling might be off) on Mercer..the district where you can go from manufacturer to manufacturer would be in the 20's-around 26th. Street. That is the best place to get findings.
Also-small shops in the Village, Elizabethe Street, even around Canal street, you can find interesting beads being sold. Have fun !

The beading stuff you are looking for you might try on Broadway between 34th and 23rd. All the stores say wholesale, but don't worry they sell, if you have the cash. I bought a beautiful 14K necklace and bracelet there recently and have never seen anything like it anywhere else. Also you can bargin if you like something. Lots of watches too. There are also a few shops like this off 6th Ave in the same area.

The big flea markets are on and just off 6th Ave again in that same area.

17th St from Broadway to 6th Ave have several good thrift stores.

There is also a farmer's market in Union Square all day on Sat.

Have a GREAT time.

I am getting so excited! Thanks again to everyone. I have the bead stores on my ever growing list. Thanks to MFNYC for the street fair site, apparently there will be one at Washington Sq. Does anyone know what time the Union Sq. Greenmarket opens? I would like to/need to start early. What can I expect from the street fairs?

Funny you should ask, I just noticed a sign at the park this morning. The posted hours for Union Sq market are 8am-6pm. Early in the morning is the best tine to go.

Many street fairs have the same kinds of things but some are much bigger than other, and there is some variety. Expect inexpensive silver jewelry, handbags, watches, T shirts, food vendors of all kinds, inexpensive clothes, makeup, sunglasses and usually there a few unique vendors selling something handcrafted. I've picked up many great little goodies (earrings, necklaces, purses, not knockoffs, but original designs, some clothes) at street fairs and people always ask about them.

Ah yes the Union Sq market...passed it this morning also on my way into work....they seem to have it on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. It's mainly homemade cookies, breads, pastries and the like, along with other goodies such as cider, honey and spices. There are also people selling plants, and various other things on occasion. I have also noticed some flea markets that pop up on Broadway near downtown, around the village and SoHo, but these are mainly for funky clothes.
My favorite place for &quot;funky&quot; stuff is Ricky's. There are many locations throughout the city.

The current issue of New York magazine is allabout shopping. Try to get a copy if you haven't already made your trip.

One word for U - SOHO!