Shop till you drop in New York City
Macy’s at Herald Square, New York
There’s no need to say that New York is a dream come true when it comes down to shopping. It must be heaven on earth for any shopaholic. As the fashion capital of the US, New York City screams for consumption and is a league of its own. This is the place where new trends are set and new products are tested. From super fancy brands and big-name labels on Fifth Avenue or Madison Avenue to small hip boutiques in SoHo or Greenwich Village, with the right money, you can get any thing you are wishing for.
I actually never had the intention to come to New York for shopping. But it's hard to ignore the enticing cathedrals of commerce and pleasure lurking everywhere across the city. It was never a planned visit when I got lost in those stores, clutching to my wallet, making sure it didn’t get too light. Those were rather spontaneous trips full of surprises. While other women might be interested in shoes and clothes or cosmetics, it had been something else that I had a crush on. Click through the galleries below to see my favourite shopping spots in New York City.
Macy’s Secret Garden
Macy’s is one of those old establishments that seem to be around forever. Founded in 1858 in New York City, it became the biggest department store chain in the US. In 1902 the company opened its number one flagship store at Herald Square. Consisting of an entire block, it is one of the largest department stores in the world and soon became one of New York’s attractions. Since 1924 it sponsors the Thanksgiving Day Parade as a major annual event, which became a New York tradition, attracting millions of spectators along the parade route and over 20 million viewers following it on television.
Department stores already had their struggles before the pandemic. But as Corona rolled in and online shopping rolled out, the future of traditional retailers became even more doomed. It is unclear, if the company is able to keep all its 512 department stores across the US alive. But Macy’s number one flagship store at Herald Square will always be detached to New York, and therefore the last castle standing in this battle.
Next to the Thanksgiving Day Parade, Macy’s annual flower show at its Herald Square flagship store is another of its highlights. In this spring event millions of plants and flowers are coordinated to bloom as they are installed throughout the store. As New York finds its way out of the pandemic, so are department stores. Macy’s is reopening with their 46th flower show, taking place between Sunday, 2nd May 2021 and Sunday, 16th May 2021.
So far, Macy’s flower show was the most impressive store decoration I ever came across in a department store. The spring flower arrangement was heavenly and a feast for the eye, turning the whole store into a floral garden. Here are some impressions of its 40th annual flower show I was able to witness in 2014, themed “The Secret Garden”.
Showdown at ABC
To my own surprise, the ABC Carpet & Home store is probably one of the biggest discoveries I made in New York City. At that time, my husband and I just moved to our new home in London. We were excited to decorate it. ABC was a great source of inspiration, if you can ever call a department store inspiring. But let me tell you, it is not just another furniture store. The New York Times called it in its series about iconic institutions of New York City “The New York Store Where Furniture is Theatre”, making shopping rather an event of discovery and creation. In deed, I seldom saw any store layout that has so much drama, where every item seems to be handpicked and exhibited like art objects. Its beautiful décor and visuals turn every corner of this three-floor store Instagram-worthy.
Everyone Becomes a Kid at FAO Schwarz Toy Store
My husband, a big kid himself and a Lego-fanatic, couldn’t resist the prospective of window-shopping for Lego when he saw this big site of the FAO Schwarz Toy Store. And boy, was it the right decision to let your hair down at this place. The Schwarz Toy Store, featured in the 1988 comedy classic movie “Big” with Tom Hanks, that tells the story of an eight-year-old boy, who became an adult over night, comes very close to a fluffy wonderland. It has that magic that only Disney can compete with. Founded by the German immigrant Frederick August Otto Schwarz in 1862, the toy company went through several ups and downs in the past, filing for bankruptcy, buying and reselling. But its New York store still remains the nostalgic magnet for all small and big kids.
Warby Parker - From Online to High Street Optician
Suppose you broke your glasses during a trip and urgently need new ones. Not a problem at all. At Warby Parker you will get them in no time. This is what actually happened to my husband, when we stayed in New York. We then bumped into this very upbeat Warby Parker store in SoHo, where we got an appointment for a check up in an instant. We ended up with a new pair of eyeglasses for him and one pair of sunglasses for me.
Warby Parker started as an online-optician over ten years ago with the idea to offer quality prescription eyeglasses to affordable prices. As the business grew, they decided not just to leave their digital footprints on the market but also as physical stores. It now has 125 shops across the US and Canada. The SoHo flagship store is probably one of the most stylish opticians in town.
Christmas all Year round in Little Italy
For those who can’t get enough of Christmas, I recommend the Christmas Store in Little Italy. At this cosy shop, Christmas is not just dated to December, but is very much available all year round. You will find anything related to the American Christmas experience here, Christmas trees, Christmas lightings, ornaments and of course Santa Clauses.
*This is not a sponsored post.