by Sara Levine
For obvious reasons, holiday shopping can be overwhelming: what to get her, where to get it, how much to spend, and what it'll mean to her (and whether that's what you meant...!). But shopping in Manhattan takes it to the next level.
First, there are countless shops with endless gifts. Then, add hordes of holiday shoppers, and it's enough to keep anyone cooped up in front of their computer surfing the web for the ideal gift. Luckily there are some retail treasures in Manhattan that offer the perfect present for your best friend, girlfriend, sister, wife, daughter, or mom. In addition, these spots are such unique shopping experiences in themselves that we suggest you pop into them just to browse. Let's take a journey to five very special New York gems, each with its own unique radiance.
Fresh
1061 Madison Ave.
(212-396-0344)
Mon-Sat 10am- 7pm
Sun noon- 6pm
57 Spring St.
(212-925-0099) Mon-Wed 10am-8pm
Thur-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun noon- 7pm
For: Best Friend, Girlfriend, Sister, Wife or Mom
The feeling that is instantly emitted is that of the shop's name: freshness. The store and its products are pure, clean, simple and tranquil. The layout is open, bright and white. It closely resembles an enormous bathroom, complete with white tiled floors and classic cabinets. The cabinets line the walls, offering products with names and ingredients such as Milk, Soy and Sugar. Soft dance/trance music plays as you take in the beautiful sights and smells of the environment. You are greeted by friendly employees who are pleased to assist in your picking the perfect Index fragrance (flavors like Cucumber Baie, Fig Apricot), body products (including Rice, Honey, Rose), soaps (gift blends like Honeydew Mint, Hazelnut Clove), incense holders, soap dishes or makeup (their newly extended line includes everything for the face). Like the atmosphere, the products' scents and packaging are not overwhelming. There is a notable Oriental inspiration. The entire experience is balanced, harmonious and almost Zen.
Dylan's Candy Bar
1011 Third Avenue at 60th St.
(646-735-0078)
Mon-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri 10am-12pm, Sat 11am-12am, Sun 11am-8pm
For: Best Friend, Girlfriend, Sister, Wife, Daughter or Mom
As you walk in you will immediately feel like you've stepped into a world somewhere between Charlie's Chocolate Factory and Hansel and Gretel's gingerbread house. It is a forest of gigantic fake lollipops and rock candy, mint stools, confection filled tables, complete with wildlife: a six-foot chocolate bunny. For your sweet tooth there are bins of every candy you could ever dream of, trees made out of chocolate treats, and of course an ice cream and soda bar. For your nose there are candles shaped like ice cream sundaes and Demeter Pick-me-up Sprays (like Brownie and Dulce de Leche). For your ears, tunes about sweets, such as Bow Wow Wow's version of "I Want Candy," as well as candy jingles from days past, play in the background. For your kids: candy-making kits (including button candy lollipops). The atmosphere is definitely surreal, but not frightening. Whether you are there to eat, buy or browse the experience will delight all of your senses with a taste for the simpler, sweeter things in life.
The Enchanted Forest
85 Mercer Street (Between Spring and Broome)
(212) 925-6677
Mon-Sat 11am-7pm, Sun noon-6pm
For: Best Friend or Daughter
The Enchanted Forest looks so much like a real forest you'll forget you're indoors! A giant tree, reaching both floors and with branches spanning the entire store, sits in the center of the room. Stuffed animals hang from branches like foliage and inhabit spotlight lit rocks. These rocks create cave-like areas that house beasts, books, and building blocks. Classical and operatic music plays softly as you look through the domestic and international toys and games. Play with puppets, marionettes (traditional Czechoslovakian designs handmade by Milos Ksal), kaleidoscopes and other imaginative items. A gift from this store is perfect for a kid or adult who wants to rediscover their inner child. This shop truly celebrates timeless tales, toys and crafts, the animal kingdom and the imagination, with which we should all reconnect.
Anthropologie
85 South 5th Avenue at 16th Street
(212) 627-5885
Mon-Sat 10 am - 8 pm, Sun noon - 6 pm
375 West Broadway
(212) 343-7070
Mon-Sat 11am - 8 pm, Sun 11 am - 6 pm
For: Best Friend, Sister or Mom
This huge space is filled with tons of shabby chic clothes and home accessories. The layout is a bit disorganized, kind of like a yard or antique sale, and that's what gives it its charm. Soft club music and a faint scent of tea rose are ever present. Much of the clothing (tops, sweaters, skirts, pants, dresses, jackets) has intricate beaded, sequined, ruffled or embroidered details. Fabrics range from silk and velvet to cotton and lambswool. Home accessories include treasures for the bedroom and living room areas. For bedding and throw pillows you can browse among Indian influenced colors and fabrics, country inspired patchwork patterns and knit scenes and vintage looking appliquŽ and beadwork. Accessories for the home include plates adorned with vintage French chocolate ads and amber beaded chandeliers. You'll also find shoes, jewelry, handbags, furniture and small gifts for her. Everything about the store is a bit feminine, sort of romantic and has an unmistakable shabby chic feeling.
La Brea
2440 Broadway
(212) 724-2777
Mon-Thurs 9am-11pm, Fri-Sat 9am-12am, Sunday 10am-10pm
1321 Second Ave.
(212) 879-4065
Mon-Thurs 9am-11pm, Fri-Sat 9am-12am, Sunday 10am-10pm
2130 Broadway
(212) 873-7850
Mon-Thurs 9am-11pm, Fri-Sat 9am-12am, Sunday 10am-10pm
1575 Second Ave.
(212) 772-2640
Mon-Thurs 9am-11pm, Fri-Sat 9am - 12am, Sunday 10am-10pm
For: Best Friend, Girlfriend, Sister, Wife, Daughter or Mom
You'll be pleasantly surprised by the enormous selection of cards, for every occasion, as well as the mood altering music that is constantly playing. As you venture through the crowded racks you'll find invitations, candles, frames, photo albums, silly novelty items and a collection of tee shirts with quotes such as "I Love New York Forever" and "Bada Bing!" If you find yourself dancing along to the music and browsing for much longer than you had anticipated, you can purchase that groove inspiring music or any of a plethora of European dance/pop albums. Pick up a disc from the Paris-based group Alabina, a Cafe Del Mar compilation from Jose Padilla from Ibiza, or a Buddha Bar mix from Claude Challe's Paris hotspot. The shop's eclectic collection of cards, gifts and world music offers the perfect gifts to give for the holidays or to keep for yourself!
