New York City Greenwich Village

Greenwich Village shopping is quirky, unique, and fun. The best stores here tend to be highly specialized, with extraordinarily knowledgeable and helpful staffs.

Village Chess Shop, 230 Thompson St. (☎212-475-9580), between Bleecker and W 3rd St. S A, B, C, D, E, F, V to W 4th St. In this dusty little chess shop, the Village’s keenest intellects face off while sipping coffee ($1) and juice ($1.50). Play is $2, or $2.50 for clocked play per hr. per person. There are a variety of chess sets for sale, including breathtaking antique pieces. Prices range from $5-10,000. Open daily noon-midnight.
Strand Bookstore, 828 Broadway (☎212-473-1452; www.strandbooks.com), at E 12th St. S 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W to 14th St./Union Sq. The world’s largest used bookstore, the Strand is a must-see, with 8 mi. of shelf space and nearly 2 million books in stock, including rare titles and 1st editions. Check the outdoor carts for $1 specials. 50% off review copies and paperbacks. Vast collection of art books. Call with the bibliographic information of the title you’d like, and the store will call back within 3hr. to let you know if it’s available. Annex located at 95 Fulton Street in Lower Manhattan. Check website for calendar of author events. Open M-Sa 9:30am-10:30pm, Su 11am-10:30pm.
Disc-o-Rama, 44 W 8th St (☎212-206-8417; www.discorama.com), between MacDougal St. and 6th Ave. S A, B, C, D, E, F, V to W 4th St. Although it won’t always have everything you want, Disc-o-Rama rarely charges more than $12 for a new CD. Such ridiculous bargains, together with an impressive used CD selection, make Disc-o-Rama a must-visit destination. Open M-Th 9am-10pm, F-Sa 9am-11pm, Su 11am-8pm. Second location at 40 Union Sq East.
Oscar Wilde Gay and Lesbian Bookshop, 15 Christopher St. (☎212-255-8097; www.oscarwildebooks.com), at 6th Ave./Gay St. S 1 to Christopher St. Founded in SoHo in 1967, this cozy shop claims to be the world’s 1st gay and lesbian bookstore. In addition to a small selection of used, rare and 1st edition books, the store stocks a multitude of DVDs, travel guides, fiction, and magazines. Open daily 11am-7pm.
La Petite Coquette, 51 University Pl. (☎212-473-2478; www.thelittleflirt.com), between 9th and 10th St. S N, R, W to 8th St./NYU. According to Rebecca, the owner of this lingerie store, “A good bra is like a good man—supportive, good looking, and will never let you down.” If this is true, then the saleswomen here are the best matchmakers in town. The prices are high (bras from $40, silk slips from $100), but you’ll leave with perfectly fitted and lovely lingerie. Come for the post-Valentine’s Day sale; most items are 40% off. You can also find some naughty affordable gifts for that special someone like a whipper and tickler ($22) or “bonding” tape ($20). Open M-W 11am-7pm, Th 11am-8pm, F-Sa 11am-7pm, Su noon-6pm.
Shakespeare and Company, 716 Broadway (☎212-529-1330; www.shakeandco.com), at Washington Pl. S N, R, W to 8th St./NYU. Carries high-quality literature, high-brow journals, and a great selection of vintage crime, art, and theater books that won’t cost you a pound of flesh. Hardbacks always 10% off; staff-selected “buyer’s pick” 20% off. Open M-Th 10am-11pm, F-Sa 10am-midnight, Su 11am-9pm. Additional locations: 939 Lexington Ave. (☎212-570-0201), between 68th and 69th St.; 137 E 23rd St. (☎212-505-2021), near Lexington Ave.; 14 Hillel Pl. (☎718-434-5326) in Brooklyn; and 1 Whitehall St. (☎212-742-7025), near South Ferry
Biography Bookstore, 400 Bleecker St. (☎212-807-8655), at W 11th St. S 1 to Christopher St. The New York Times once listed this biography-oriented bookstore as the “best place to pick someone up”—referring, presumably, to the biographies. The store also has good travel, history, fiction, drama, cookbook and GLBT sections. Hardcovers are 20% off. Outside tables hold remainders up to 50% off; they keep the best ones below the register. Open M-Th 11am-10pm, F-Sa 11am-11pm, Su 11am-10pm.
Generation Records, 210 Thompson St. (☎212-254-1100), between Bleecker and 3rd St. S A, B, C, D, E, F, V to W 4th St. All kinds of alternative, metal, and underground rock on CD and vinyl. The hard-core and industrial/experimental selections are especially impressive. Fairly low prices (CDs $12-15) and an impressive assortment of hard-to-find imports and concert DVDs. Great deals on used merchandise downstairs (CDs and vinyl $6-8). Open M-Th and Su 11am-10pm, F-Sa 11am-11pm.
The Leather Man, 111 Christopher St. (☎212-243-5339; www.theleatherman.com), between Bleecker and Hudson St. S 1 to Christopher St. The dim upstairs of this rather freaky S&M shop is dominated by rows of leather erotic apparel, handcuffs (from $15), and bondage equipment (from $30). Braving the spiral staircase takes you to a whole other level of kink. The store specializes in custom apparel made on the premises: pants and chaps (from $400), vests (from $100), boots (from $150). Must be 21+ to enter. Open M-Sa noon-10pm, Su noon-8pm.