Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
J&R Music World/Computer World
I'm constantly surprised how often an online search for discounted elec-
tronics brings up J&R as the cheapest supplier out there. Save the shipping cost by coming in to their bustling
block-long series of stores. The staff is well informed and not too brusque (at least by New York standards). The
prices on cameras, stereos, computers, and software are excellent, and there's good music, film, and houseware
shopping as well. Check the paper or the website for dates on the frequent sales.
Along Park Row, at Ann St., opposite City Hall
Park.
800/426-6027
or 212/238-9000.
www.jandr.com
. Subway: 2/3 to Park Place; 4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall.
Fabrics
Gray Line Linen
Savvy seamsters know their way around linen, which has more than double the strength of
cotton. Those in-the-know go to this place, which offers rack after colorful rack at crazy-low prices. Linens that
high-end stores sell for $30 a yard or more hover in the $9 range here. Considering that Restoration Hardware
sells linen curtains for over $100, this is DIY bargain central.
260 W. 39th St., btw. Seventh and Eighth aves.
212/391-4130.
www.graylinelinen.com
.
Subway: 1/2/3/7/N/Q/R/S to Times Sq./42nd St.; A/C/E to 42nd St./Port Authority.
Harry Zarin Company
The fabric selection in this old-timer upstairs warehouse goes the whole nine yards, with
an overwhelming selection of textures and styles. Deep discounts get even deeper for overruns and closeouts.
Downstairs you'll find a recently remodeled conventional furniture store.
318 Grand St., btw. Ludlow and Orchard sts.
212/
925-6112.
www.zarinfabrics.com
.
Subway: B/D to Grand St.; F to Delancey St.; J/M/Z to Essex St.
P & S Fabrics Corp.
Beyond the extensive collection of fabrics, you'll find patterns, trimmings, yarn, and notions
at this cluttered downtown shop. Retail accessibility at wholesale prices makes this a great place for fashion
DIYers to stock up. Don't miss the clearance rack.
358 Broadway, btw. Franklin and Leonard sts.
212/226-1534.
Subway: J/N/Q/R/Z/6 to
Canal St.
Get on the Yarn Bus
Knitters and their ilk can widen their shopping options by trekking up to Westchester on the
Yarn Bus.
The bus connects
New Yorkers with the
Flying Fingers Yarn Shop,
which carries those tofu and bamboo yarns you have so much trouble
tracking down in Manhattan. The ride to charming Irvington, on the Hudson, takes about a half-hour, and it's totally free. The
bus runs twice a day on the weekends, leaving from various spots around Mid- and Uptown. If those times and places aren't
convenient, they'll make a custom arrangement for you. Call or e-mail in advance to reserve your place. Look for the blue
van with the lamppost-size needles piercing three jumbo yarn balls on the roof. 19 Main St., Irvington, New York.
877/
359-4648.
www.lyingingers.com
.
Gifts & ART
Pageant Print Shop
Some 10,000 antique prints and maps are packed into this tiny storefront. You can find
great New York City ephemera, as well as images of everything else humans have been interested in during the
last century. The owners, who've been in the business their whole lives, pride themselves on having the lowest
prices in the city. Don't miss the poster file, with plenty of under-$5 images for combating apartment wall white
space.
69 E. 4th St., btw. Second Ave. and Bowery.
212/ 674-5296.
www.pageantbooks.com
. Subway: F to Second Ave.; 6 to Bleecker St.
SKSK
Steve Keene is somewhere between the Henry Ford and the McDonald's of indie art. With his one-man
assembly line, he's made over 200,000 paintings. If you're looking to decorate on the cheap, you could do worse
than S.K.'s factory outlet in Brooklyn (a part of his studio). There's an array of plywood cut-outs, silk-screens, and
paintings. A $20 investment will bring you enough to decorate two or three rooms, with change left over. Open
Sundays 2 to 6pm, or by appointment.
93 Guernsey St., btw. Norman and Nassau aves., Greenpoint, Brooklyn. No phone.
www.stevekeene.com
.
Subway: G to Nassau Ave
.
I Heart New York
