NEW YORK CITY SHOPPING

New York City: The Perfect Antidote
For the Shopping Fever

It's that time of year again. You've packed up the winter woolens, stored away the snow boots, and decided that the whole place needs a fresh, new look. It's time for a shopping frenzy, and there's nowhere like New York City to satisfy that urge.

Browsing, bargaining-hunting and buying are some of life's greatest pleasures, and recent statistics have shown that shopping ranks near the top of the list of favorite vacation pastimes. Since New York City is where the world comes to shop, why travel anywhere else? Here, an abundance of goods from every comer of the planet are available for your delectation, tucked away in tiny boutiques or on lavish display at huge department stores.

Whether it's fashion from vintage to cutting edge, rare antiques, precious gems or housewares, it can be found here in every price range. So pack a pair of walking shoes and an extra suitcase, and be prepared for the shopping experience of a lifetime.

DISCOUNT PARADISE

The space at Canal Jeans, 504 Broadway between Broome and Spring Sts., is huge, with everything imaginable at very reasonable prices. Vintage clothing is in the basement, while the main floor features trendy, funky men's and women's wear and all sorts of oddities, like a hat with dreadlocks already attached, and $7 Manic Panic hair dye in green, pink and yellow. (212/226-1130).

The Loehmann's chain of discount stores can be found in many areas of the U.S., but none can match the store on Seventh Ave. and 16^th Street, former home of Bamey's. Head straight for the top floor for designer labels like Donna Karan, Calvin Klein and Versace. The other floors feature accessories, handbags, casual clothing and shoes at great prices.(212/352-0856).

 

NEST-FEATHERING

Felissimo is an exquisite specialty store that looks like an intimate home, located in a Beaux Arts townhouse on 56^th Street bet. Fifth and Sixth Aves. A spiral staircase winds through a garden stocked with clever tools and pots, and beautifully designed treasures for the bedroom, living room and bathroom mingle with European antiques. It's the perfect place to buy a gift for that spring or summer wedding. (212/247-5656).

You'll find almost everything you need for your home at Bed, Bath & Beyond, 620 Sixth Ave. bet. 18^th and 19^th Sts. Cookware, bed linens, shower curtains, rugs, candles, picture frames - prices are reasonable, selection is varied, and you can't beat the convenience of a one-stop shop. (212/255-3550).

The Mikasa Home Store, at 30 West 23^rd St. bet. Fifth and Sixth Aves., is well-situated in a neighborhood filled with home furnishings stores like Pier One and Pottery Barn. The store features porcelain and crystal items, and now offers linens, furniture and tableware in warehouse-sized settings. (212/206-3766).

FOR THE LITTLE DARLINGS

FAO Schwarz, 767 Fifth Ave. at 58^th Street, is still the world's most famous toy emporium, and this is the flagship store. The adventure begins as visitors are greeted by a three-story clock tower singing "Welcome to Our World of Toys," and continues through departments filled with stuffed animals, puppets, and the latest robotic action figures. It's a treat for visitors of all ages. (212/644-9400).

The beloved cartoon faces of Bugs Bunny, Tweety, Sylvester and the Tazmanian Devil are everywhere in the eight-story Warner Brothers Studio Store at 1 East 57^th St. at Fifth Ave. Adult and children's clothing, housewares, toys, watches and jewelry - even an art gallery with original cartoon eels - are available to delight adoring fans. (212/754-0300).

OUTSIDER TRADING

The Showplace, 40 West 25^th St. (212/633-6010), is like an indoor extension of the outdoor market, with a small cafe downstairs. Weekends only. The Garage, 112 West 25^th St. (212/647-0707) is just that: a two-story parking garage that transforms on weekends into yet another bustling antiques venue.

Uptown, there's Green Flea Indoor/Outdoor Markets, Saturdays on the Eastside at East 67^th St. between First and York Aves., Sundays over on the Westside at Columbus Ave. and 77^th St. Antiques and collectibles, bric-a-brac, handmade pottery, discount apparel and much more can be found here (212/721-0900).

BIG EMPORIUMS

Even though the city is a mecca of chic boutiques and trendy shopping neighborhoods,

New Yorkers and visitors alike flock to Bloomingdale's, at Lexington Ave. and 59th St. (212/705-2000). It's the mother of department stores, with sales racks full of beautiful designer clothes, extremely helpful salespeople and a multilingual staff at the International Service Desk (212/705-2098) that can arrange personal shopping, beauty services and much more. Macy*s runs the entire block of 34^th St. between Ave. of the Americas and Seventh Ave. (212/695-4400). It remains the world's largest store, and is famous as a presenter of the spectacular Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the city's annual Forth of July fireworks. Don't forget to check the New York City shop in the Cellar for Macy's logo items like teddy bears, T-shirts, shopping totes and coffee mugs or stop by Eatzis for a rest and great food. The NBA Store, located on Fifth Avenue at 52^nd Street (212/515-NBA1), carries the most comprehensive assortment of NBA and WNBA merchandise in the world, including personalized jerseys and the exclusive Logoman Collection. Basketball icons, such as a video scoreboard, a half-court (used for special events) and an arena-inspired, 170-foot ramp, are incorporated into the store's design. The store also offers multimedia attractions such as a player video wall and an interactive, virtual photography area. 

LIFE'S LITTLE LUXURIES

At Fendi's U.S. flagship store at 720 fifth Ave. and 56^th St., you'll find the entire product line of sumptuous handbags, shoes and accessories crafted by this famous Italian design company. (212/767-0100).The 47^th Street Diamond District, where diamonds are traded, cut and set, houses over 2,600 independent businesses on a single block between Fifth Ave. and Ave. of the Americas. Many have booths in jewelry exchanges, such as the World's Largest Jewelry Exchange, 55 West 47^th St. (212/354-5200).Clustered near the Diamond District are a prestigious group of internationally-known jewelers, including H. Stern at 645 Fifth Ave. (212/688-0300); and Martinique Jewelers at 1555 Broadway bet. 46^th and 47^th St. (212/869-5765). Both Wempe, at 700 Fifth Ave. at 55th St. (212/397-9000); and Tourneau, Madison Ave. at 52^nd St.(212/758-6098) are internationally known for fine watches. Fortunoff, 681 Fifth Ave. at 54^th St. (212/758-6660) offers discounts on a large variety of jewelry including engagement rings, pearls, name-brand watches, and gold bracelets and necklaces.

For information and maps, ask your concierge at New York's leading hotels or call the NYCVB at 800-NYC-VISIT or 212-484-1222.