Tazamania, but with originality
FISH EDDY: TAZAMANIA
We are classics and the souvenir cup wherever we go seems almost mandatory. So instead of taking you from New York the one that everyone has, in Fish Eddy you have models to bore you. His Brooklyn collection, or that of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty or, since we put ourselves, those of the Obama and Hillary cartoons They will be your new favorite breakfast mugs. And if you want, take the rest of the dishes. All very put together.
Everything you need to know about mugs
MoMA STORE: DESIGN WITH ART
Almost as obligatory a visit as the museum itself. Of course, recommendation: go to the one in Soho (81 Spring St) better than the one at MoMA itself. Because there are always less people (a lot less people) and your order is very well thought out to give away . Continuing with the cups, a very New Yorker gift: **the New York Coffee Cup** that imitates in porcelain the mythical glass that was given in stalls and delis in the old days. And wouldn't you like to decorate your tree with Christmas balls in the shape of ** yellow cab ** or empire state ? And already in the section books and games for children, you can go crazy, more than them.
One of the MoMA Store posters
OTHER ESSENTIAL MUSEUM STORES
Our favorite shopping universe: museum shops. After MoMA, we're left with the Whitney Museum t-shirts; the Black is beautiful designs from the Studio Museum in Harlem; subway souvenirs at the Transit Museum or endless maps and books about New York at the Tenement Museum.
Harlem Studio Museum Store
POSTERITATI: THE ULTIMATE MOVIE POSTER STORE
The good news is that you can buy online. The best thing is that his shop-gallery is a paradise for film buffs. The real, original posters from different times, from different countries, organized by actress, actor, director or genre. From about $35 to better not even think about it because you will spend it. Oh, those $900 for Casablanca in Japanese.
The Ultimate Poster Store
EXIT 9: THE EMPIRE OF THE GIFT
Much better than the overcrowded souvenir shops in and around Times Square. You will find almost the same memories and many more . And very cheap. His East Village location is a classic for gift-seeking New Yorkers. But in the Brooklyn store, as befits the neighborhood, they have been stylized, hipsterized... Come on, who have become more cuquis.
OTHER ESSENTIAL BAZAARS
Random Accessories or the microuniverse of bullshit. All the New York merchandising you were looking for in the smallest possible space. For children, for drinkers, for him and for her. Pearl River Mart is a stylish Chinese bazaar. In that already diffuse border between Chinatown and Soho is Pearl River Mart. A place you would pass by if they didn't tell you that inside are the best bargains in trinkets made in China : teas, sweets, all kinds of New York souvenirs, clothing, home decor and the origami paper section, great.
KIOSK, THE ALMOST SECRET STORE
and very cheap . On a second floor on Spring Street (Soho) is this small bazaar with curious objects from all over the world selected by its owner Alisa Grifo. Because of the variety, originality and the way they are arranged, it almost looks like a museum, more than a store. Come on, if the Museum is a museum, Kiosk could be.
The shop-museum
AC GEARS: HIGH-TECH TOYS
As useful as the best helmets on the market and as useless as a kitten-robot-piggy bank that steals your change . This brightly lit, minimalist design store is a daily pilgrimage for students from nearby NYU to pick up all sorts of gadgets and tech whims.
Only for high-tech addicts
OTHER 'TOY' STORES FOR ADULTS
My Plastic Heart : for japanophile peterpanes . We could go to the official Kid Robot in Soho, yes, a great store. But in this temple of the Japanese plastic doll you have Kid Robot and everything you are looking for. Exclusive and collector's dolls in their windows and gifts from less than $10. In addition, on the other wall of the store there is always an exhibition of illustrations that you can buy (also online).
wired pop up store : only from December 4 to 22 . The magazine for the trendiest in technology has opened a temporary store in Meatpacking, near Google and Chelsea Market, with all the gadgets that they recommend on their pages.
For Japanese peterpans
STORES TO SATISFY THE FREAKY
Series fans and couch potatoes they must make a pilgrimage at least once in their lives to their particular meccas: the NBC, CBS or HBO stores with the official merchandising of all the series. From the Game of Thrones dolls, to the Dunde Mifflin (The Office) mug or the Bazinga! from Big Bang Theory.
And superheroes must go to Brooklyn Superhero Supply to buy a new cape, the latest ray gun or stock up on krypotnite for his last battle with Superman. This cool Park Slope store is just the 'cover' for the 826NYC's "secret lair" an association that helps children and adolescents. But yes, you can buy all these must-have superhero things.
ARTISTS & FLEAS: ARTISAN AND VINTAGE FRUITS
A must visit, open all year in Williamsburg and at Chelsea Market, if you can't wait for the weekend or seasonal markets. Vintage clothing, jewelry, vinyl, glasses (rhinestones, of course) and among the latest vendors, a genius: Golly , they make t-shirts and bags decorated with pieces of old fabrics (quilts, curtains) with 20th century pop culture motifs , comic book superheroes, movies, video games.
The ultimate flea market
OTHER ESSENTIAL ARTISAN SHOPS
winter market : with the cold they have closed all the open-air markets in New York, but this year they all come together (furniture, jewelry, clothing and food stall of the smorgasburg , including the Ramen Burger) in a single large space: an industrial warehouse in Williamsburg that opens Saturdays and Sundays from 10 to 7, which competes with the traditional Christmas markets. This is the place to go in winter if you are a true hipster.
Urban Alchemist : “part shop, part gallery and part craft salon”. This is how its creators defined and conceived this place in Park Slope where a group of designers and artisans from New York sell their designs for jewelry, dolls, clothes and household items. You can be sure that everything you find here is unique and handmade.
Winter Flea Market
RIBBON, PAPER... THE COMPLETE GIFT
The Container Store, for packaging lovers. You enter and you can spend hours discovering and covering needs that you did not know or that you had. There are boxes, hangers, bags and appliques in general for anything that hadn't even crossed your mind yet. And, of course, now during the Christmas season, the section for gift wrap, bags, decorations, boxes, bows... is infinite. Be careful, it's a vice.
Greenwich Letter Press : Tell him in a letter and make it pretty, please. The passion they have in the United States even with greeting cards is only understandable by places as beautiful as Greenwich Letterpress. For all celebrations, parties (Christmas, Halloween, birthdays...) and any theme (also New York). Among the favorites: Luke Perry Forever!
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*** You may also be interested in...** - New York Shopping Guide
- Shop Damn Shop: Guide to New York Flea Markets
- The most curious souvenirs that we have found in the markets of New York
- Curious gift shops in Madrid
- Curious gift shops in Barcelona
- All articles by Irene Crespo
For crazy about packaging