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The Low-Down on the Funky Places to Shop in New York

Everyone knows about the shopping opportunities along New York’s 5th Avenue.  But what about the other, less expensive and more funky streets of the city?  I myself, found one of my most treasured material objects in an open air market in Alphabet City…a green, butterfly, choker necklace filled with jewels–costume jewels but it sparkles none the less.  And it was only ten bucks.  Along the streets of the Financial Disctrict and Lower Manhattan, close to many a boutique hotel in New York, sits some of the larger named companies such as Ann Taylor and Abercrombie & Fitch.

While these are fine stores, they are not exactly “funky” in nature.  Go a bit further into Chinatown and you will find unique shops with unique and eclectic items.  This is a good place to shop for electronics and items such as DVDs and CDs, but to be honest, it’s best to stick to the items of art and fashion, toys and house decor.  The Orchard Street Shopping District has many a deal on items such as shoes, luggage, fabric and linens.  Many artists have been coming into this neighborhood in recent years, not only to live but to sell their creations as well.  It is becoming hip and increasingly upscale, so to find the great deals, it is best to get there soon as it may go the way of Chicago’s Wicker Park, with Starbucks on every corner and chain restaurants the name of the game.

Soho, sadly to say, has become a yuppie mecca, albeit with fashionable stores–but expensive stores.  Nolita is the place of the moment, where you can still find grassroots boutiques with stores offering fashions of India and Southeast Asia.  And of course the is always the East Village.  This has, and will always represent the bohemian, artistic, hip and funky side of Manhattan.  Regardless of the neighborhood, there will be something to bring home, and that something will no doubt, be a funky something.

Related posts:

1. Berlin in New York

Tags: boutique hotel in New York, Chinatown, Nolita

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