Top 15 Places for Lower East Side Shopping

No trip to New York City would be complete without some serious shopping. The Lower East Side features unique and memorable retail experiences, from designer boutiques and art galleries to cozy bookshops and open marketplaces. Plan an afternoon outing and see how many you can visit before your arms are too full to carry one more purchase. While you’re out and about, take a good look at the neighborhood. If you see an apartment for sale that catches your eye, give the real estate team at The Casagrande a call to learn more. 

Edgy style and high fashion are on display at Assembly. Designers Risto Bimbiloski, Thvm Atelier, and Raquel Allegra are featured, as well as Assembly’s line of men’s, women’s, and unisex clothing. Every designer and every piece featured is carefully selected for its design appeal and celebration of the new.

Intellectuals, social activists, political science, and humanitarians, Bluestockings is going to be your home away from home. Not only will you find books that boldly explore today’s hottest issues, but many social events, performances, book discussions, workshops, and more take place here. If you stay long enough to work up an appetite, grab a bite from Bluestockings Cafe.

Does your home crave a touch of whimsy or conversation-starting furniture pieces? Coming Soon offers both in its fantastic collection of gifts and small accessories. Geometric designs, bright and cheery colors, and occasional downright silliness will help you take a lighter look at life.

If you’re looking to grab a bite to eat while shopping, why not visit the historic Essex Market for a truly immersive experience? Looking to pick up fresh seafood to take home? You’ll find it here.  Need a bowl of soup to warm up on a chilly day? Essex has it. Craving spicy international fare?  You’ll find that here, too. 

What happens when a passion for film meets an eye for fashion and a celebration of modern culture? Extra Butter is born. Your Lower East Side shopping ventures will take you to the flagship store of this expanding retail experience. Choose from among stylish athletic shoes for every sport, apparel, gifts, and accessories. Extra Butter prides itself on outstanding customer service and superior products.

Economy Candy has been a fixture of LES since 1937 — a true family business passed down from generation to generation. To visit this confectionary palace is to step back in time and rediscover the favorite treats of your childhood and unique soon-to-be favorites. Shop candies by color, type, weight, and holiday packages to ship to loved ones far away.

The Great Frog is celebrating its 50th anniversary: 50 years of collaborating with music legends in Great Britain and America to design iconic jewelry that captures their rock star personas. In the Lower East Side store, you can select jewelry in tribute to your favorite musicians, whether The Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin (younger music fans may prefer the looks of Harry Styles and his rings).

Forget having a green thumb! Patrons of Green Fingers Market are all in for unique, exotic plants, vintage pots, and furniture pieces. Owner Satoshi Kawamoto, a master plant artist, looks for creative and life-giving ways to incorporate the aesthetics of flora into interior design. Take home a succulent, a leafy tropical plant, or a horticultural display, and bring new life into your own space.

Charming gifts, adorable toys, and modern gadgetry offer a feast for the eyes as you explore Niu Shop, an authentic collection of all things Chinese. Prepare to celebrate Chinese New Year and other festivals throughout the year with traditional decor and symbols. 

Looking to embrace New York style? As the name implies, at Only NY, you’ll find unique apparel, shoes, and accessories, and some surprising collaborations, such as Only NY’s partnership with Brooklyn Brewery to launch a collection of brewery-inspired merchandise and Only NY Brown Ale. This Lower East Side shopping destination has all the energy and uniqueness New York is known for.

An aptly named vintage boutique, Pilgrim features designer wear collected from across the globe. Born of the collaboration between stylist Richard Ives and photographer Brain Bennett, the apparel showcased here is elevated to an art form.

The LA vintage boutique Reformation has found a second home in New York, adding upcycled designer clothing, shoes, and accessories to Lower East Side shopping options. The store offers a brand-new shopping experience with every visit. 

You’ll know you’ve found this literary resale shop when you see the sheep waiting to greet you on the sidewalk. Along with collectible books, a variety of fiction and nonfiction reads, art, and photography for sale, you can also grab a jar of pickles to munch while you enjoy your new purchase. Soon you’ll be a regular at Sweet Pickle Books.

Find the perfect fabric to redo that well-worn couch or brighten your living room with new curtains. In addition to upholstery fabrics, Zarin offers an overwhelming selection of luxury and designer fabrics for every sewing project imaginable. This family business provides three floors of fabrics, unique home furnishings, and interior design services.

Careful attention to design and detail goes into every piece of classically-styled apparel in this designer studio. Simplicity. Elegance. Comfort. Effortless style. These are hallmarks of 7115 fashion.

Eclectic and amusing, posh and cozy, chic and punk, Lower East Side shopping offers everything you could hope to find in a day of retail therapy. Have you fallen in love with this historic urban neighborhood? If you have, give The Casagrande real estate team a call and learn how the Lower East Side can be more than just a destination — it can become home.