When it comes to shopping, few cities can compete with New York. Whether it’s high-end department stores like Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman you’re after or concept stores full of unusual finds, whether you’re on the hunt for vintage treasures or contemporary designs by up-and-coming designers, you’ll find it all in NYC. Shop Latitude rounds up the 20 stores that need to be on your radar.
Totokaelo: This beloved Seattle boutique recently opened its doors in a historic Manhattan building, formerly a Germania Bank. The five-story space carries cult labels like Vetements, Acne and Jacquemus, mixed in with avant garde favorites like Maison Margiela and Rick Owens, and minimalist brands like Common Projects and Jil Sander.
190 Bowery, New York, NY 10012
https://totokaelo.com/
Kith: Calling all sneaker nerds. This massive street wear emporium with locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn carries cult sneaker styles from Nike, Vans, Adidas and others, plus athleisure from a slew of labels like Yeezy, Off-White, Adidas x Stella McCartney, Puma x Fenty as well as its own in-house line.
337 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012 and 233 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
https://kith.com/
Canal Street Market: This new take on an urban street market boasts a carefully curated selection of permanent vendors as well as rotating pop-ups that cover everything from design and retail to artisanal food and liquor.
265 Canal St, New York, NY 10013
http://canalstreet.market/
Bulletin: The original Williamsburg location now has a sister store in Nolita as well as a brand new flagship store at Union Square. Specializing in female-designed goods, it "[uses] every inch of space to support and celebrate female voices." Think slogan tees and totes, quirky sunglasses, girl power-themed stationery and more.
863 Broadway, New York, NY 10003; 27 Prince St, New York, NY 10012 and 145 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
https://bulletin.co/
ABC Carpet & Home: What started as a carpet store back in the 1960s has expanded to include home décor, an eclectic mix of local and international designers, and niche beauty and skincare brands, all with a focus on sustainability and fair trade.
888 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 and 3906 2nd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232
https://www.abchome.com/
Bird
Stop by one of this boutique’s four Brooklyn locations for a thoughtfully curated selection of indie labels, with a focus on locally and sustainably produced collections. Expect to find bold prints, vibrant colours and unusual silhouettes by designers like Maryam Nassir Zadeh, Rachel Comey and Mansur Gavriel.
Locations: Cobble Hill, Fort Green, Park Slope, Williamsburg (all in Brooklyn, NY)
Catbird
This tiny boutique on bustling Bedford Avenue is always packed with women perusing the displays of dainty jewelry (from intricate engagement rings to sleek gold and sterling silver bands), artisan beauty products like perfume by Brooklyn-based DS & Durga, makeup from Rodin and face and body products from Herbivore, as well as quirky knickknacks and gifts.
219 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211; +1 718-599-3457
Leif
With an aim to add beauty to everyday living, this sunny store in Williamsburg is stocked with unique objects for your home. Think quirky pom-pom baskets, embroidered and printed cushions, stoneware crockery, rugs and even affordable art. Insider tip: head to Devocion Café just down the street if you’re in need of a quick pick-me-up—they’re known for their specialty Colombian coffee.
99 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11249; +1 718-302-5343
Story
This one-of-a-kind store reinvents itself every four to eight weeks in keeping with a new theme or trend, so it’s impossible to ever get bored of its selection. The latest theme is Beauty, which means the store is experimenting with ideas ranging from the custom (in-house facials by HeyDay) to the cult (Korean beauty brands) to the unusual (the world’s first magnetic eyelashes).
144 10th Ave, New York, NY 10011; +1 212-242-4853
Image courtesy Experience New York
Love Adorned
This fine jewelry and lifestyle store is known for its eclectic mix of contemporary jewelry—think pendant necklaces with stones like jade and lapis and chunky rings in gold and oxidized silver—and vintage finds, like antique Cartier and Tiffany’s bands. The store also carries a varied selection of objects for the home, as well as fashion accessories like scarves and wallets.
269 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012; +1 212-431-5683
Pas de Deux
This cozy East Village boutique is a must-visit for cult clothing labels like Acne, Isabel Marant and Apiece Apart. And you can always be sure to find unusual shoes, jewelry and handbags from brands like Common Projects, Giles & Brother and Building Block.
328 E 11th Street, New York, NY 10003; +1 212-475-0075
Opening Ceremony
This massive multi-level store is beloved by locals and visitors alike for its eclectic mix of under-the-radar and established labels from around the globe like Gosha Rubchinskiy, Kenzo, Brother Vellies and Raf Simons. Don’t forget to check out the shoe gallery in the basement, as well as the menswear store next door.
35 Howard Street, New York, NY 10013; +1 212-219-2688
https://www.openingceremony.com/
The Apartment by The Line
Everything you see in this concept store, designed to look like a chic luxury apartment, is for sale – from Tenfold New York alpaca throws to Altuzarra handbags, from coffee table books on art and fashion to Broste Copenhagen tableware, from Kahina oils and serums to Maison Louis Marie candles. Warning: you’ll never want to leave.
76 Greene St, New York, NY 10012; +1 917-460-7196
Image courtesy Vienna Wedekind
Assembly
This store on the Lower East Side carries tailored, minimalist clothing from its in-house label as well as a wide range of sleek and polished accessories—shoes from Freda Salvador, designed in California and handcrafted in Spain, jewelry from Los Angeles-based Gabriela Artigas, and eye wear from Oliver Peoples.
170 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002; +1 212-253-5393
https://www.assemblynewyork.com/
Dover Street Market
Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo’s seven-floor department store carries avant garde labels like Sacai, Jacquemus, Rick Owens and of course, her own line Comme des Garcons. This mecca for fashion lovers is beloved as much for its eclectic product displays and corners as it is for its collections.
160 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016; +1 646-837-7750
http://newyork.doverstreetmarket.com/
Image courtesy Fibonacci Stone
Michele Varian
This sprawling Soho store is filled with unusual, design-focused items for the home, ranging from furniture to lighting to stationery to coffee table accessories. Jewelry, scarves, handbags and other accessories round out the collection. It's virtually impossible to leave this store empty-handed.
27 Howard St, New York, NY 10013; +1 212-343-0033
What Goes Around Comes Around
Vintage lovers can find all manner of treasures here, from Hermes Birkins and silk scarves to chunky Chanel jewelry and Louis Vuitton trunks. Browse through the racks for more unique finds like classic rock tees, vintage denim and one-of-a-kind pieces from labels like Alaia and Saint Laurent.
351 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013; +1 212-343-1225
https://www.whatgoesaroundnyc.com/
Image courtesy Racked New York
In God We Trust
Pop by either of its two Brooklyn locations—in Greenpoint and Williamsburg—for a quirky mix of minimalist clothing, sleek accessories and knick-knacks like hip flasks, card cases and candles. The in-house line, designed by owner Shana Tabor, is all produced exclusively in New York City.
70 Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11222; +1 718-389-3545 and 129 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211; +1 718-384-0700
Image courtesy Lu Parkinson
Verameat
Khloe Kardashian is a fan of this jewelry label’s eye-catching pieces (motifs include bats, skulls and anatomical hearts). Everything is handcrafted in New York out of sterling silver and 14K gold, and designed by Ukraine-born former model Vera Balyura.
315 E. 9th St, New York, NY 10003; +1 212-388-9045 and 132 N. 5th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249; +1 718-388-2400
Maison 10
This concept store in Manhattan’s NoMad district revolves around the number 10—the store features 10 products across 10 categories (like fragrances, jewelry, books and art) for a period of 10 weeks at a time, revolving around a certain theme. Previous concepts include Celebration, Passion and Equality, and the current theme is Adventure. Bonus: 10% of each sale is donated to charity.
4 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001; +1 646-590-1291