Places to shop (not luxury or big dept store) in Manhattan and Brooklyn; also info re neighborhoods
 

I will be in NYC for eight days - will be staying in Brooklyn but will definitely spend a lot of time in Manhattan.

I am a NY newbie and would like some info about shopping (for household items, funky jewelry, home decor, quality crafts and lower priced art galleries) I really like to explore neighborhoods and eat at low to medium priced cafes and restaurants and love all kinds of food.

Could anyone recommend areas in which I could find above. Would love to find several such neighborhoods where I can look around in shops and get a great lunch.

I am really not interested in Macy's or other national chains. Thanks for any help.

Pam

Century 21 (clothing, bedding, housewares)
Fish Eddys
ABC Home
Pearl River

While you're at C21, there's a really cool store called Trunkt in Tribeca that's a short walk (Greenwich and N. Moore). They carry really pretty jewelry and interesting housewares, purses, stationery, etc. Here's the website if you'd like to take a look.

www.trunkt.com

Lot's of good dining options in that neighborhood if you'd like to spend time there.

Don't know where you're staying in Brooklyn but there's a good and interesting stretch of stores along Smith Street in Carroll Gardens. My particular favorite is a place called Swallow -- www.swallowglass.com.

Thanks - these are exactly the kinds of places I am looking for. Please keep them coming! As well as any restaurant recommendations in the areas. Actually I am staying in Carroll Gardens so will be sure to check out Swallow Glass

Pam

I like a little shop called Extraordinary. There is one in Brooklyn and one on E. 57th. They sell very fine handmade gift items. Everything is a work of art at a reasonable price. They stay open late (10 pm I think?) and every item has a story -- just ask!

If you're staying in Carroll Gardens you'll have no problems finding places to eat either. The Grocery is right there, and a ton of others.

Also make sure to hit NoLita in Manhattan. Tons of small boutiques along Elizabeth, Mott & Mulberry Streets just south of Houston. Another place where you will not starve.

There's a West Elm store in DUMBO right near the Brooklyn Bridge. There's a Bubby's near there too.
http://www.bubbys.com/

Moss in Soho is fun for browsing. More like a museum.
The weekend flea market in Chelsea (25 st & 26 st. b/w 5th & 7th) can be fun.

DOMUS is in a surprising location near the theater district and has some nice, inexpensive home decor.
http://www.domusnewyork.com/catalog/index.php

You'll find some fun, original jewelry here
http://www.edgeny.com/designers.php?id=104#

There's a MacKenzie-Childs on W. 57th St. They offer some very beautiful & unusual items.

Housewares--Sur la Table, corner of Spring and Crosby St., steps from Balthazar. There is also a jewelry stand near Balthazar that has lots of "funky" jewelry. Actually, you will see lots of people selling jewelry and art on the streets in Soho (South of Houston).

Kate's Paperie on Spring St. sells all kinds of paper and some home-decor products.

ABC Carpet and Home (Broadway and 17th St.) This place is a treasure chest of home decor items. VERY expensive.

There are a few home decor places on Mercer St., between Houston and Prince St. One place (can't remember the name) sells beautiful Buddhas and Chinese laterns.

Crate and Barrel on the corner of Broadway and Houston, next to Angelika Film Center.

Pam have you already gone and returned from your trip? Can you tell us where you went and what you purchased, if anything?

Here is an interesting place you might like to check out:

www.johnderian.com