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ABC Carpet & Home
The ultimate destination for the home has humble roots that go back to 1897 when Sam Weinrib started a business selling used carpets out of a cart on the Lower East Side. What a difference a century (or so) can make: today, the seven-story store on the stretch of Broadway formerly known as “Ladies Mile” is an enchanting souk, with lavish antique chandeliers hanging from exposed pipes and fur throws draped across beds. On the ground floor, an artfully curated collection of jewelry and accessories is sprinkled in for good measure. Take a shopping break at one of star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s two attached restaurants—ABC Kitchen and ABC Cocina—which have as much panache as the store itself.
Achille Salvagni Atelier
A fabulous addition to the Upper East Side's shopping scene is the gorgeous showroom of a Roman designer, Achille Salvagni Atelier.
Acustom Apparel
It doesn’t get much more cutting-edge than this new downtown men’s clothing concept that uses digital technology to create bespoke pieces. How does it work? You step into a 3D body scanner, which takes your measurements, then pick out your fabrics, stitching, details (collar, cuffs, lapels), even add a monogram. Started by a Harvard Business School grad and a physicist, the revolutionary approach to men’s clothing takes the guessing game out of sizing—and brings down the cost of hand-tailored men’s clothing. Think $600 for an entry-level cotton suit.
Albertine
This shop features glamour-girl fashions by emerging designers and must-have accessories, like metallic open-toe high heels and clutch purses.
Alex Mill
With Alex Drexler at the helm (whose father, Mickey Drexler, is J.Crew CEO) it’s no surprise that this father-son clothing shop has been a sartorial hit. Set in a converted bakery in Nolita, the boutique carries pared-down preppy pieces that make boys feel like men and men feel very handsome indeed. Specialties include well-fitting chinos and smart oxford shirts, old-school terry hoodies and worn-in indigo vests.
Amarcord
Find pristine vintage for men and women at Amarcord, which has locations in both Soho and Williamsburg. The store’s expat owners keep it well stocked with regular treasure-hunting trips to their homeland of Italy. Expect to find notable designers in the mix (Missoni, Salvatore Ferragamo) as well as other European labels that fit the spot’s eclectic, colorful aesthetic. A plentiful selection of leather bags and shoes rounds out the mix.
Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store
A fabulous source for unique gifts and toys, Annie’s moved into this Park Slope space in 2013. Come for a wonderful assortment of paper and card products, games, toys, art and old-fashioned candy. In short, it’s a one-stop shop for a cool gift from Brooklyn.
Antik
A home furnishings store with beautiful pieces, ranging from contemporary pieces to antiques from centuries past and countries near and far.
Argosy Bookstore
Argosy is one of those quirky little bookstores that can’t be replicated elsewhere. Signature items here are rare and out-of-print books—the beautiful leather-bound ones that some use purely for aesthetic purposes—and historical maps and autographs. The interior, which many say resembles an old library, has a dark, dusty feel that hard-core booklovers (many of whom are initially drawn to the heavily-discounted offerings on the tables outside) will surely find cool. To view the rarer collections located on the upper floors, you must make an appointment with the knowledgeable (and often, rather appropriately, bespectacled) staff.
Artemide
Shoppers can stock up on light fixtures at this cutting-edge shop in Soho.
Beach Bungalow
The offerings at this Sag Harbor home store are, indeed, beach-themed and include woven furniture, sandblasted driftwood branches, thatch-covered pool umbrellas and pretty shell and coral jewelry for women. The clients, though, are probably more apt to own stately country homes than tiny bungalows.
Bergdorf Goodman
Set on the corner of 57th Street and Fifth Avenue, the Vanderbilt mansion was once considered the most impressive house in the United States, with its enormous ballrooms and crenellated towers. Today, the site is home to what is possibly the most remarkable department store in the nation. The eight floors are arranged like a series of small boutiques, selling the best of everything, from haute wedding gowns to personalized stationery to a veritable shoe spectacle. BG Restaurant—designed by hotel impresario Kelly Wearstler—is the ultimate perch for the very stylish ladies who lunch, with views overlooking Central Park. The basement level is a beauty Mecca, complete with a small gem of a day spa.
Big Night
Whether you’re looking to up your kitchen game or need a last-minute wedding gift, the pieces in Big Night are always a conversation starter.
Bloom
Inside a shingled home, Bloom sells a chic curation of antiques—mostly from Sweden, Belgium and France—along with textiles, homeware and tableware. Astier de Villatte dishes are a highlight. There’s no website (and no social media presence, either), but the shop is a real-life Sag Harbor must-see.
Blue Tree
Downtown meets Uptown at this eclectic, West Village-ish boutique, known for groovy gifts carefully selected by owner Phoebe Cates (Kevin Kline’s wife).
Bonne Nuit
It’s not that common to sell women’s lingerie in a children’s clothing store but Bonne Nuit, which specializes in European children’s wear, pulls it off well.
Bookhampton
There was once a Border’s located inside the Bridgehampton Commons but it shuttered a few years ago making Bookhampton, an independent bookshop with locations in Southampton and East Hampton, the South Fork’s only bookstore “chain.” Though the stores are not huge, the selection is fairly extensive and features titles from a wide range of categories, including non-fiction, classic and contemporary literature as well as children’s and young adult. Anything not in stock can always be ordered and throughout the summer, the stores host a number of author events and book discussion.
Books Are Magic Montague
Brooklyn Tailors
Dapper gents beeline to this high-end boutique, which stocks bespoke and ready-to-wear menswear. Founded by a husband-and-wife team who started by offering custom fittings in their Clinton Hill apartment, the collection (which is also stocked by Barneys) ranges from wedding-ready tuxedos to sharp suits and casual chambray shirts.
C.O. Bigelow
Founded in 1838, this old-school pharmacy full of hard-to-locate beauty discoveries has been frequented by everyone from Mark Twain to Sarah Jessica Parker. The shop itself is like a piece of history: check out the chandeliers, which were once powered by gas, and the old-fashion wooden cases. And while some things have changed—the soda fountain is no more—the apothecary continues to sell cult products like its rose salve. Complete with vintage-style packaging, the heavenly smelling miracle cream transforms both dry skin and chapped lips.
Canine Styles
Canio’s Books
This famous used book store in Sag Harbor still hosts local author readings, and some are big, literary names since the area has been home to masters like Peter Matthiessen and James Salter and the late Kurt Vonnegut. Its aisles of well-loved volumes represent a disappearing universe where bibliophiles can browse and dream happily for hours.
Caramel Baby
Leave it to the Brits to create a children’s clothing company with such incredible craftsmanship that your kids will look like they’ve stepped out of a Jane Austin novel. Prices aren’t easy on the wallet, but with exquisite details and vintage flourishes, these are the kind of treasures that get passed down through the generations. The shop also stocks handmade blankets, pint-sized totes, and a well-curated selection of toys and books.
Carleen Ligozio
Ligozio, a former buyer for Henri Bendel and Saks Fifth Avenue, has a good eye for fashion. Her Southampton store stocks Allegra Hicks wrap dresses, Susan van der Linde appliqué hats, jewelry by Elizabeth Brady and other wardrobe essentials for the chic Hamptons women.
Catbird
This tiny and much-loved boutique, located in the heart of thriving Williamsburg, offers a meticulously curated collection of jewelry, accessories, home goods and beauty products. Amid a girly, white-walled décor, find dainty pieces from little-known local designers, non-traditional engagement rings and fantastic gifts (whimsical stationary, Rodin oils and plenty more).
Cavaniola’s Gourmet
One street behind Main Street, cheeselovers line up to sample the offerings in this tiny Sag Harbor shop, which specializes in rare cheeses, both domestic and imported, but also sells gourmet oils, honeys and savories. Owners Michael and Tracey Cavaniola also have an adjacent wine store, stocked (like the cheese shop) with unique and limited-edition finds. The plan is to hold a lot of wine-cheese tastings on weekends.
Clic by Christiane Celle
Calypso’s Christiane Celle opened this bookstore-cum-gallery right next to East Hampton’s Calypso large boutique, in a slender, all-white space. The art house book publishers on sale include a well-edited mix of Te Neues, Taschen and Aperture, among others. There are several book signings and events scheduled for every summer. Clic also has locations in New York City (255 Centre St, Nolita) and St. Barth's (Rue de la République, Gustavia).