Souvenirs & Mementos
A RETAIL adventure through NYC’s Best CLOTHING, BEAUTY & HOME Stores
Bergdorf Goodman
754 5th Avenue | (212) 753-7300
When we happened upon this fashionable holy grail, their creative elite were busily erecting those famous window displays – a glimpse into the retail standard bearer at work. Inside, Bergdorf’s makes good on its exterior promise with service that is as welcoming and helpful as running into a friend (albeit one who has the inside scoop on exclusive imported fragrances and crocodile skin handbags). There’s no other store like it this side of Paris.
Go SoHo
Start at Trademark: 95 Grand Street | (646) 559-4945
End at The Apartment by The Line: 76 Greene Street | (646) 678-4908
This world famous shopping district continues to be worth the better part of an afternoon (and a great excuse for a little Jacques Torres or Olive’s pick-me-up along the way). Half the fun of being here is wandering around and exploring what’s new, but we’ve yet to leave the neighborhood’s A.P.C., Kirna Zabete or What Goes Around Comes Around outposts empty handed. We were also giddy about Birchbox’s brick and mortar entrée, Trademark’s cozy knits and the ingenious ‘shop the room down to the studs’ concept at The Apartment By The Line.
Edon Manor
391 Greenwich Street | (212) 431-3890
The magazine-worthy collection of enviable accessories from the likes of Isabel Marant, Pierre Hardy, Balenciaga and Dries van Noten will be enough to lure you in to this exquisitely conceptualized boutique. But it’s the “join me at my country estate” aesthetic, all plush antiques and proper refinery, that will send you on a mental Pinterest spree and entice you to study each carefully curated corner.
C.O. Bigelow Pharmacy
414 Ave of the Americas | (212) 533-2700
The apothecary to end all apothecaries, this 175+ year Village veteran is a beauty hunter’s dream. Fully stocked with your favorite European imports as well as their excellent in-house product line, get gleefully lost within rows of scented hand washes, lotions and lip balms.
Aedes Perfumery
7 Greenwich Avenue | (212) 206-8674
Ring the bell at Aedes Perfumery and treat yourself to its velvety parlor and unparalleled fragrance collection. You easily lose track of an hour sniffing and sampling with the savvy staff, and with Frederic Malle and his contemporaries on offer, you’re guaranteed to walk out with just the right olfactory gem.
ABC Carpet & Home
888 Broadway | (212) 473-3000
We could dedicate a full story to the wonder that is ABC Carpet & Home, and given that it is our favorite retail experience in the city, we probably should. Elevated found objects are displayed as the treasures they would be, in the home you’d love to envision. Never too precious nor too jumbled, the space strikes an ideal balance, and we suspect we’d find any excuse to spend time here were we NY residents. The idea that a decor store could also do such a masterful job with beauty (Tracie Martyn, RMS and Suntegrity are just a few of the featured brands) as well as accents (their Astier de Villatte display is truly swoon-worthy) just makes us love them all the more.
Fishs Eddy
889 Broadway | (212) 420-9020
Grandma’s apartment meets importer’s warehouse, this quirky array of collectibles and kitchenwares makes for an one-of-a-kind spree. Sets of old hotel china are displayed alongside political-themed novelties and funky dish towels, and while this is far from a traditional home store, you’ll always leave with a unique item you or your gift recipient will love.
John Derian
6 E. 2nd Street | (212) 677-3917
A Dickensian storefront on a cute-as-a-button street, John Derian is so utterly romantic, it almost feels imagined. If the designer’s beautiful decoupage designs don’t draw you in, the elite company he keeps (Astier de Villatte and Hugo Guinness to name two) certainly will.
Steven Alan Home
158 Franklin Street | (646) 402-9661
A bright and greenhouse-like space in Tribeca, Steven Alan Home focuses on minimalist home decor pieces. Asian-inspired ceramics, delicious linen sheets and one of our favorite-ever beach blankets are all available here as is a sleek selection of candles and home fragrances.
