New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [154]
Olatz.
Olatz Schnabel modeled her linen shop on a historic Havana pharmacy after a visit to Cuba. The black-and-white checkerboard floors and mint-green walls breathe a sort of lazy, faded elegance, a spot-on backdrop to her collection of luxurious sheets, blankets, and pajama sets, all of which have sky-high thread counts and are bordered with bold stripes or intricate damask embroidery. | 43 Clarkson St., between Hudson and Greenwich Sts., Greenwich Village | 10014 | 212/255–8627 | Subway: 1 to Houston St.
Music Stores
Bleecker Bob’s Golden Oldies Record Shop.
One of the oldest independent record stores in town, this pleasingly messy place with occasionally surly staff sells punk, jazz, metal, and reggae, plus good old rock on vinyl, until the wee hours. | 118 W. 3rd St., at MacDougal St., Greenwich Village | 10012 | 212/475–9677 | Subway: A, C, E, F, M to W. 4th St./Washington Sq.
Shoes, Handbags, and Leather Goods
Flight 001.
Frequent flyers can one-stop-shop at this travel-theme store that puts a creative spin on everyday accessories. Shop for bright luggage tags, passport holders, satin sleep masks, and even paper soap. | 96 Greenwich Ave., between W. 12th and Jane Sts., Greenwich Village | 10011 | 212/989–0001 | Subway: A, C, E to 14th St.
Lulu Guinness.
Hit this black-and-white-stripe salon for cheerfully eccentric accessories such as handbags (some lip-shaped) adorned with appliqué, beads, and bows; polka-dot scarves; and umbrellas patterned with poodles. | 394 Bleecker St., between W. 11th and Perry Sts., Greenwich Village | 10014 | 212/367–2120 | Subway: 1 to Christopher St./Sheridan Sq.
WEST VILLAGE
Books and Stationery
Idlewild Books.
Named for the pre-1960s JFK Airport, this travel-inspired bookstore groups its goods by destination. It has much more than guidebooks, though; novels, histories, cookbooks, and children’s books share each segment, giving you a fascinating look at any given locale. If those chairs look familiar, it may be because you spent a layover in one of them once upon a time in the American Airlines terminal. | 12 W. 19th St., 2nd fl., at 5th Ave., West Village | 10011 | 212/414–8888 | Subway: 4, 5, 6, L, Q, R to 14th St./Union Sq.
Clothing
Castor & Pollux.
The store’s interior signals a finely tuned balance of high taste (vintage Bergdorf Goodman display cases) and quirkiness (grass-cloth wall coverings and small horse sculptures). Hard-to-find brands like Hache are mixed with better-known names like Acne and 3.1 Philip Lim. There’s also an eye-catching in-house line of jewelry, clutches, and sweaters. | 238 W. 10th St., at Hudson St., West Village | 10014 | 212/645–6572 | Subway: 1 to Christopher St./Sheridan Sq.
Food and Treats
Chocolate Bar.
What sets this chocolate emporium apart is its midcentury modern design, which is also evident in the groovy packaging. Scoop up some retro chocolate bars, whose flavors include salty pretzel, coconut cream pie, and key lime. Or try a salted caramel bonbon and a steaming cup of spicy hot chocolate. | 19 8th Ave., between Jane and W. 12th Sts., West Village | 10014 | 212/366–1541 | Subway: A, C, E, to 14th St.
MEATPACKING DISTRICT
Clothing
Alexander McQueen.
The late designer’s New York flagship is a futuristic, podlike space—an ideal setting for the avant-garde clothing. Now under the helm of Sarah Burton, the designs are still theatrical with exquisite tailoring and a touch of softness. | 417 W. 14th St., between 9th and 10th Aves., Meatpacking District | 10014 | 212/645–1797 | Subway: A, C, E to 14th St.
Charles Nolan.
Despite the downtown location, the vibe here is decidedly uptown. Formerly an exclusive designer for Saks, Nolan offers impeccable craftsmanship: wool shirtdresses, sequined A-line skirts, and billowy white blouses. Don’t overlook the front-of-store gift selection,