Where to Shop in New York Right Now

If you’re a regular reader, you know I absolutely love the Lower East Side of New York. It’s a very cool place to shop, browse, sightsee and get terrific bargains. So I’m passing along some great shopping info that you can use right now if you want to do a holiday shopping getaway to New York.

Vintage Shopping at Its Best. The LES (Lower East Side) is considered a destination for the hottest trends in vintage.There are close to a dozen vintage shops on the LES. “Check out any one of our vintage shops, including Frock, Hairy Mary’s, Matinee, Tahir, Pippin Vintage Jewelry, David Owens, Daha, Don the Verb, Funtiques and many more.”

Fabrics for Home and Fashion. Zarin Fabrics and Home Furnishings is mentioned in the LES e-mail as offering luxurious home goods at reasonable prices. Decorator and clothing fabrics. They even make custom shirts and blouses. Sounds like a terrific one-of-a-kind gift! The e-mail also cites Harris Levy’s as a “haven for beautiful customized linens and bedding with great customer service.” Then there’s Mendel Goldberg Fabrics — a well known store for elegant fabrics. It’s not too late to make something for New Year’s Eve!

Thursday Shopping Discounts. Starting November 30, many LES stores will be opening later and offering special Thursday discounts, plus cocktails and fun. Visit lowereastsideny.com for store listings. Be sure to send for the LES Shopping and Rewards Card (pdf). You can do so here.

Free Walking Tour of LES. Sundays at 11 AM. Get to know our roots. Explore New York City’s original leader in discount retailing and the integral role of retail, shopping and more in the Lower East Side of today. Meet at Katz’s Deli (Ludlow and Houston). See lowereastsideny.com for more information on free tours.

 Don’t Forget Canal Street. While the LES site lists  innumerable shops, boutiques and other retailers, it doesn’t include those many unnamed vendors of look-alike, knock-off items along Canal Street. Who on your holiday gift list would love a Kate Spade or Gucci purse, scarf or wallet? At these knock-off prices, you can afford one for every woman on your gift list. See my earlier post on Canal Street shopping. Or view all 7 of my Lower East Side NY posts.

Getting to New York on the Cheap. Right now, Midwest Airlines helps you get your NY shopping bargains with a bargain airfare. How does $138 roundtrip from Milwaukee and $148 from Kansas City sound? But you must book by December 5 and travel between November 28 and December 12, 2006. Please use promo code GGG when booking your getaway tickets. Better yet, book your tickets through my blog — on the right sidebar under Links. You’ll also find a link there for having a New York getaway package put together for you — the ultimate no-fuss getaway planning.

Have a happy getaway — and let me know what shops or eateries you loved the best!

One More Store. Check out the Web site of ABC Carpets & H0me recommended in Fly Away Cafe. Looks like they have a huge selection of everything — antique rugs and furniture, lighting, fabric, upholstery, gifts and so much more. No far from LES.