Shopping - New York City Free and Dirt Cheap - page 157

Vinyl Haven: The WFMU Record Fair
If you've got an issue with piracy, or album art is a must, old-fashioned vinyl is the way to go. Thrift stores can hook you up
with $2 disks, but a modern generation of DJs assure there are slim pickings outside of classical. For record fanatics, the
paramount weekend is in late October/early November, when the WFMURecordFair comes to town. WFMU's free-form
radio is one of New York's greatest cultural assets, and the record fair brings an incredible array of dealers. The show
costs $7 to enter, but that fee includes live bands, screenings in an AV room, and table after table of cheap CDs and vinyl.
I ignore the $70 collector disks and head straight for the boxes under the table, where the two-for-$1 disks are most likely
to be found. The fair is held at the MetropolitanPavilion (125 W. 18th St., btw. Sixth and Seventh aves.; subway: 1 to
18th St.). For more information, call 201/521-1416, or log on to www.wfmu.org/recfair . Tip: Sunday afternoon is the
best bargain-hunter's time. Buyers are burned out and dealers are doing everything they can to keep from hauling all that
obsolete technology back home.
Photo equpment & Supplies
Adorama Photo pros flock to Adorama, which has unbelievably low prices on digital accessories, photo prints,
and sundry items like blank cassettes. There's also film and secondhand lenses and SLR bodies, although most of
that is headed the way of the eight-track tape. Closed Friday afternoons, all day Saturday, and Jewish
holidays. 42 W. 18th St., btw. Fifth and Sixth aves. 212/741-0052. www.adorama.com . Subway: 1 to 18th St.; F/M to 14th St.; L to Sixth Ave.
B&H A bustling 35,000-square-foot space holds B&H's massive inventory of digital equipment, lighting, DVD
players, home theater systems, and a host of photo-related products. Prices are very competitive, especially for
used cameras and accessories. If you don't know exactly what you want, the pros here provide expert advice.
Closed Friday afternoons, all day Saturday, and Jewish holidays. 420 Ninth Ave., btw. 33rd and 34th sts. 800/
606-6969 or 212/444-6615. www.bhphotovideo.com . Subway: A/C/E to 34th St./Penn Station.
PIANOS
Piano Adoption.com Given New Yorkers' limited livable space, it takes a serious level of commitment
to dedicate acreage to a set of ivories. If you've got the room and the drive, however, giveaway pianos are sur-
prisingly easy to come by. The Piano Adoption website lists dozens of uprights and baby grands eager for new
homes. These keys are nominally “free,” but keep in mind that most all will require at least $100 to get
back into tune, on top of whatever the moving costs turn out to be . www.pianoadoption.com .
Salvage
Build It Green! NYC As a side-effect of working to save the planet, this nonprofit offers up deeply discounted
building materials, which it diverts from landfill languishment. The warehouse holds 75 tons of doors, floors,
sinks, and trim. Beyond the contractor-friendly goods, you can also pick up appliances, film props, and even $3
hardback books. For even cheaper stock, come by during a Stop 'N' Swap block party (p. 219) and trade up for
another man's treasure. Block parties come complete with free music, BBQ, and workshops as well. 3-17 26th Ave., at
3rd St., Astoria, Queens. 718/777-0132. www.bignyc.org . Subway: N/Q to Astoria Blvd. Other location: Gowanus,Brooklyn, 69 9th St., btw. Second Ave. and
Smith St. 718/725-8925. Subway: F/G to Smith-9th St.
Sweets
Economy Candy The Lower East Side of the 1930s was littered with small specialty shops like this one, which
remains a family business 75 years later. With the other shops now defunct, Economy Candy has taken on their
responsibilities, selling everything from coffee to nuts to dried fruit. Oh yeah, they also sell a little candy. From
floors to rafters, the store is packed with lollipops, gum drops, halvah, gourmet candy bars, bulk chocolate, and
pretty much anything else sweet you can think of. Prices are very reasonable, especially when you buy by the
pound. 108 Rivington St., btw. Essex and Ludlow sts. 212/254-1531. www.economycandy.com . Subway: F to Delancey St.; J/M/Z to Essex St.