430: A New York gift-shopping walking tour
Gift guide V of V.
This time last year, I published a “last minute gift guide” with shipping timelines and rush options that could more or less guarantee that an order would get there when it said it would. Now? With tariffs…shutdown pains…the uhh state of retail at large. If you don’t already have it in hand IDK what to tell you. Certainly not anything binding.
Your best bet is being in New York and visiting, with your physical body, one of the many pop-ups and holiday markets, or taking advantage of stores that could be considered year-round gifting sources. You might even want to make a whole day of it, and take yourself on a gift-shopping walking tour. If so:
Here’s the map link.
Below, you’ll find more info on all of the stops, including relevant dates, suggested buys, and recommendations for where and when to refuel.
It’s 35º this weekend (with a chance of snow!), can I recommend a puffer vest for under your coat? Happy holiday shopping.
Uptown
Kitchen Arts & Letters: An evergreen gift source for literate chef types.
1435 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10128Kallmeyer: Pick up the modal boxers from our Luxe Gift Guide in person.
1022 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10075Sophie Bille Brahe: Depot for fine pearls and dramatic ropes of gold and diamonds, in a jewelry-box space.
1000 Madison Ave 2nd. Floor, New York, NY 10075Vince: Hosting a fine jewelry pop-up with Kinn Studio. I wear this ring from them daily (and Vince’s cashmere crewnecks just as often).
1005 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10075Assouline at the Mark: Pick up a copy of the Derek Blasberg-penned book about the hotel, released just last night.
Assouline Boutique at The Mark Hotel, 25 E 77th St, New York, NY 10075The Central Boathouse: J.Crew’s Miracle in Manhattan Holiday Market will open for previews on December 13 (tomorrow) and opens to the public immediately after. I’ll be there wearing this pony hair leopard-print jacket.
72 E 72nd St, New York, NY 10021Zitomer: Old school New York beauty establishment with quality skin and hair care, plus kooky knick-knacks. It’s just fun to look around asking yourself, who is this for? And then buying it yourself.
969 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021
Ralph Lauren: The women’s + home and separate men’s flagships are across the street from one another (for towels, scarves, etc), and you can get your first coffee at Ralph’s to fuel for the hours of shopping that lie ahead (also those 10-year anniversary mugs make good gifts themselves).
888 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021The Row: Currently hosting a collaboration with Japanese vintage collector LAILA that unveiled at the beginning of December.
17 E 71st St, New York, NY 10021Old Stone Trade: Hosting an artisan holiday market featuring handwoven napkins by Atelier Brozzetti, one-of-a-kind tartan scarves by Acme Atelier, seastone pendants by Marlinespike Chandlery, and a capsule of après-ski sweaters by Mikiknits (as seen in our Luxe Gift Guide).
17 E 70th St, New York, NY 10021Sotheby’s: Perhaps not for shopping and dropping, but it’s Luxury Week, so you could ogle the $31m hippo bar in the Breuer building. And get coffee no. 2 at Sant Ambrous within.
1334 York Ave, New York, NY 10021Sara Japanese Pottery: A stumble-upon ceramics spot that’s on the way to the train.
950 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10021Frette: Its Italian percale sheets were a Black Friday best-seller. Touch them (and the towels…woof) in person here.
806 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10065Jessica McCormack: Cool girl-coded (Zoe Kravitz, Danielle Goldberg) fine jewelry in a dollhouse of a townhouse.
743 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10065Attersee Studio: One-of-a-kind Indian shawls by Yaser Shaw currently on view.
26 E 64th St 4th floor, New York, NY 10065Argosy Bookstore: Iconic historical prints and printed matter. I bought my mom a New Yorker from her date of birth and it was the best gift I’ve ever given.
116 E 59th St, New York, NY 10022Cafe Ginori at Bergdorf Goodman: All of Bergdorf’s is at your disposal, obviously, but buying Ginori and eating at Ginori is always a good idea around the holidays. It’s about time for a lunch break anyway.
The Beauty Level, 754 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019Creed: Recently opened in Rockefeller Plaza. I stopped in and learned that the 266-year-old brand started making fragrances to scent the inside of their leather gloves. We should never have stopped doing this!!
610 5th Ave unit st06, New York, NY 10185
Loewe Perfumes: The brand’s fragrance pop-up in the old Lodi space (RIP! I had no idea until this week). I need you to go in just to smell the Iris Root perfume. My GOD. There are also home fragrances, candles, the olfactory works.
1 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020Kalustyan’s: Spices make a great gift. And if you can’t find it at Kalustyan’s, it doesn’t exist.
123 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016
Downtown
Casa Magazines: Print is never not chic, and almost always under…$100…at most. Pick up the latest Neptune Papers as recommended in Xavier Donnelly’s gift guide yesterday, or grab a copy of my other interiors faves, Scenery and Ton.
22 8th Ave, New York, NY 10014Leset: When in doubt, the Magasin demographic would be grateful for a 2-pack of these tees.
380 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014Esenshel: Home grown, home-made, high-volume hats.
67 E 4th St #1, New York, NY 10003Crevette, Dame, Lord’s Holiday Market: The Britt-Basque West Village restaurant group’s hosting a holiday market on December 14 (Sunday! First day of Hannukah) from 11-3.
10 Downing St, New York, NY 10014
King: And since you’re in the area, you should see about getting one of King’s spicy, whiskey Christmas Cakes. Pre-order here but maybe pause for a drink at the bar at pickup.
18 King St, New York, NY 10014Makie: Sweet for kids clothes, but also some Japanese-made adult clothes that similarly praise loose fits natural fibers.
109 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012La Garçonne: A year-round gift hub, but there’s new Norlha yak khullu in store, plus a specific edit of “Thoughtful Gifts.”
465 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013Aflalo: Multi-use office, atelier, and retail space where you can shop the brand in person Wednesdays through Sundays.
56 Greene St Floor 3, New York, NY 10012Bomi: The Soho home goods store is celebrating its 2nd birthday on December 13 (tomorrow!), when the top-notch assortment of prettily-spunky home and fashion items will come with a coupe of champagne. I bought my friend a P.Nina necklace here last year and she wears it every day!
56 Greene St Floor 3, New York, NY 10012The News: The floor-through loft home of 6397 is offering exclusive items from Creative Growth and one-of-one Matthew Swope jewelry at its holiday market, opening December 13 (tomorrow).
495 Broadway, New York, NY 10012Drake’s: We’re outspoken fans of the cotton PJs. The other English-made RTW is great, too, in this tiny menswear triangle.
327 Canal St, New York, NY 10013Stòffa: The real gift would be setting your man up with a custom fitting to get a made-to-measure version of Stòffa’s well-cut, well-fabricked pieces. There are off-the-hanger options, too.
125 Grand St, New York, NY 10013Jacques: The answer to athletic wear for the guy who likes the finer things. I.e. your average Drake’s / Stòffa shopper.
21 Crosby St Unit A, New York, NY 10013Lauren Manoogian: A great gifting pit stop since it opened last year, but virtually necessary now that it’s launched men’s and home.
407 Broome St, New York, NY 10013Gem Home: Hosting a holiday market December 13 (tomorrow!) and 14, sure to feature Flynn McGarry favorites like Autumn Sonata (with whom he’s collaborated) and David Mellor (which supplies all of the flatware for Gem and Cove).
181 Mott St, New York, NY 10012Oroboro: A classic gifting spot for women who wore Caron Callahan pants in 2015. Still bangs
217 Mott St, New York, NY 10012Still Here: The best basics in the game, as we’ve impressed upon you before. They also launched a calendar of New York babes, as a more entry-level idea.
268 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012Emily Dawn Long (by appointment): Get the towel! Get spike! Get the holiday pieces she’s launching secretly all week!
195 Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002Maryam Nassir Zadeh: Insane to me that it’s finally closing. I feel like my young adulthood dies with it. Will be coming by to pay my respects, and if holiday shopping happens to occur, it’s meant to be. Closing at the end of the month.
123 Norfolk St, New York, NY 10002Gohar World: The brand’s annual holiday pop-up will be open 7 days a week until every last Lower East Sider has a Petrossian caviar spoon in their mouth.
98 Orchard Street, New York, New York 10002Colbo: Aside from the avant-leaning menswear that can be found here year round, a timely unisex robe collab with Oas provides a good enough reason to stop in. Colbo Next Door, a natural wine watering hole that opened last month, makes drink number two on this epic retail tour.
51 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002Bode Men’s: The grandfather of the Lower East Side, in many respects, now featuring such delights as these duck and rabbit slippers. See also: Bode Women’s, below.
58 Hester St, New York, NY 10002Desert Vintage: Vintage and antique clothing package with the appropriate ceremony to make precious gifts. Fortuny, Gigli, Hermés, that kind of thing. Also, very photogenic and inspiring window displays.
34 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002Old Jewelry: Where you’ll find the Zoe Mohm sterling silver pin from our Luxe Gift Guide, plus other treasures (designation not used lightly).
75 E Broadway #227, New York, NY 10002SC103: Opens today! The brand’s first ever store, and how well-timed. Link bags and chiffon weave dresses and, at long last, a restock of its sold-out fragrance Relic, available only in store.
25 Henry St, New York, NY 10002Olga Basha (by appointment): The best jeans there ever were. Unisex and will blow your / your giftee’s mind. Guaranteed to look good and last foreva!
25 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002
Vowels: Japanese basics with a hive following, but the real treat is the Research Library in the back. Can’t get an appointment at Library180? This place will serve you tea and you can hang out on the padded bleachers while enjoying archival materials.
76 Bowery Ground Floor, New York, NY 10013Agmes: Hosting some friends-of-the-brand—Liffner, Maison d’Etto, Ashlynn, Heirlome—at a holiday market open today through December 14.
79 Walker St 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10013Enlightenment Books Residency at Charles Moffett Gallery: Joint literary project between Alexandra Sheehan and Alex Delaney. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays.
394 Broadway Second Floor, New York, NY 10013Quarters: Just wrapped its pop-up with Ghia and is now welcoming Comme Si for a two-day shop from December 13 (tomorrow) to December 14. The house lighting brand, In Common With, also, as ever, for sale.
383 Broadway 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10013Beni Rugs (by appointment): A serene loft escape in Tribeca, literally the home of the founder, but an inspiring chance to see the high-end weaves in person.
35 White St fl 3, New York, NY 10013Bode Women’s: A gifting emporium for nostalgic-minded dressers. Or, if you’re Anna Wintour, a choice source for custom dog beds. See also, Bode Men’s above.
79 Worth St, New York, NY 10013
Brooklyn
Sorbara’s: The second of only three vintage stores on this list, having earned a spot for feeling especially elevated and gifty (and Armani feels like a good gift this year). Also hosting a popup with fine jewelry maker Meuchner and selling vintage (in tact!) puzzles.
326 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249Maimoun: Multi-brand store in Williamsburg with an actually exclusive buy of designers you otherwise wouldn’t be able to find in person in NY.
111 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11249Bon Studio: An event space / photo studio that’s hosting a holiday market from December 13 (tomorrow) to the 14.
199 N 8th St Unit 3, Brooklyn, NY 11211Tangerine: The ultimate evergreen gift and stocking-stuffer spot in Brooklyn.
616 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211Land to Sea: Williamsburg coffee shop hosting a holiday market on December 14 (Sunday) featuring 25 of brand friends. RSVP ahead of time and you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a bundle of pieces from the sale.
402 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211L’Ensemble: Equal parts fashion and home goods, among the higher-end multi-brand stores in Brooklyn on this list. Recently added Tekla’s Broderie Anglaise bedding collection to its lineup.
99 Water St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Hudson Wilder: Coming up on 10 years this Sunday, Hudson Wilder’s glassware and home accessories are grade-A gifting fodder, and it’s a good place to find Apartamento titles. Hosting two separate baked goods pop-ups this weekend.
142 Plymouth St, Brooklyn, NY 11201Front General Store: The final vintage store on this list, where you’ll find deadstock Americana and Japanese denim. Also excellent in-house blank t-shirts for men. They’ve expanded over the past year and now the home goods selection, including Hasami porcelain, is really built out.
143 Front St, Brooklyn, NY 11201Atlantic Ave: A stretch of avenue spanning from roughly Clinton Street to Bond Street where the cutesy holiday shopping is unparalleled in density. A few call-outs:
Sahadi’s: Brooklyn’s Kalustyan’s, where you can fulfill all of your dried fruits, nuts, halva, and spice needs.
187 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201Jao Social Club: Old-timey pharmacy (more in theme than reality) where you can find hair pomades and pretty hardware-adjacent items. I love a good tube twister or a nice-smelling hand sanitizer.
357 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217Porta: Elegant home goods stamp-sized store with a cool painted ceiling. Truly exists for this season. Hosting ‘Holiday Hamper’ weekend where you build your own gift basket and eat mince pies and Scotch eggs from Lord’s, starting December 12 (today!) through the 14.
360 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217Hannoh+: Edgy aunt clothing and incredible quality leather boots from German manufacturers you’ve never heard of.
362 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217Outline: Recently shuttered all ecomm operations so you simply have to go in, and it’s well worth it for the luxury buy (choice The Row, Colleen Allen, Cecilie Bahnsen). J.Hannah is popping up on December 14th (Sunday!).
365 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217Toast: UK knitwear and cotton “gardening clothes,” plus apt accessories. I’m wearing this festive sweater as I write this!
367 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217Primary Essentials: Serene, Japanese-inflected minimal home goods store. Good linens selection, plus very chic home fragrances, kitchen accessories, etc.
372 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217Assembly Line: More furniture-y than some other home goods stores in the area, but smaller items throughout (like drawer pulls, which we think make great gifts).
373 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217East Fork: Classic North Carolina ceramics studio that’s had a grip on New York 30-somethings for going-on decades.
377A Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217Humble House: Antiques spot that carries colorful quilts, found oil paintings, MCM lamps…
396 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217Mud: Australian ceramics store, lots of satisfyingly thin and matte multi-purpose porcelain vessels. Great for mixing and matching into your own sets.
402 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Ven. Space: Menswear mecca (the best place anywhere in the city for straight guys who find more things “too fashion-y”), currently hosting a god-sent Frama pop-up, the ultimate status soap maker, I’ve decided.
369 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
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I’m not ashamed to say I’ve already been in the Loewe pop up twice … I am very very into the special edition sweet almond candle and I don’t normally like that scent. So good.
I look forward to receiving all of your recommendations. Thank you for enriching my life!!!