New York City Harlem

Harlem is the place for discount clothing and an eclectic mix of records, African handicrafts, and street vendor knick-knacks. Wallet-friendly stores line 125th St. between St. Nicholas and Fifth Ave. A recent influx of upscale boutiques has made the neighborhood’s shopping more diverse. Head to Lenox and Seventh Ave. between 114th and 135th St. to browse the slew of new, high-end retail stores, many with a focus on African-American designers.

Harlemade, 174 Lenox Ave. (☎212-987-2500; www.harlemade.com), between 118th and 119th St. S 2, 3 to 116th St./Lenox Ave. For those looking to take a little piece of Harlem home, Harlemade is the place to go. The small store sells T-shirts ($18-30), bags ($25-40), and books (from $12) that celebrate Harlem and its African-American community. New products are introduced monthly. Hosts occasional readings. Call or check the website for details. Open M-F 11:30am-7pm, Sa 11am-7pm, Su noon-6pm.
Hue-Man Bookstore and Cafe, 2319 Frederick Douglass Blvd. (8th Ave.) (☎212-665-7400; www.huemanbookstore.com), between 124th and 125th St. S A, B, C, D to 125th St. One of the largest and best-known African-American bookstores in the country. Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Alicia Keys, and President Bill Clinton have all made appearances here. Frequent open-mic nights, readings, and book discussions; check website for calendar. Open M-Sa 10am-8pm, Su 11am-7pm.
Xukuma, 11 125th St. (☎212-222-0490; www.xukuma.com), between 5th and Madison Ave. S 2, 3 to 125th St. This boutique, pronounced “zoo-koo-ma,” sells one-of-a-kind accessories, housewares, and women’s apparel. There’s also a selection of men’s accessories and stationery. Show your Harlem pride with a popular Soul-Sista brand T-shirt. All T-shirts $12-25. Open Tu-Sa noon-7pm, Su noon-6pm.
Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market, 52 W 116th St. (☎212-987-8131), near Malcolm X Blvd./Lenox Ave. S 2, 3 to 116th St. This covered market, packed with stalls run primarily by Senegalese merchants, offers African clothing, crafts, masks, instruments, incense, and fake designer purses. Open daily 10am-8pm.