When asked about hip shopping destinations on the Lower East Side, most Manhattanites will mention Orchard Street, the stretch of blocks famous for its unique consignment shops and iconic tenement architecture. But residents of the Lower East Side condos at One Manhattan Square know that their neighborhood is full of one-of-a-kind fashion and furniture stores just waiting to be plumbed for stylish finds. Keep reading to learn about just a few of the retailers that make the LES one of the city’s most exciting shopping districts.
Fashionistas will love Assembly New York on Ludlow Street, where former gallerist Greg Armas has been curating a forward-thinking, ready-to-wear collection since 2008. Assembly features a house label as well as a thoughtful range of unique and rare clothing and objets d’art, all selected to help customers find inspiration while walking through the shop’s spacious location. The house label items use upcycled and deadstock fabrics, and all production is done locally in New York City, making Assembly a true Manhattan institution just minutes from One Manhattan Square.
Residents who like their eyewear infused with a sense of style will love Moscot, the venerable custom eyeglass seller with a location on Orchard Street. Founded in 1899 on the back of a humble pushcart by Hyman Moscot, the family-run company has expanded in its hundred-plus years of operation to several locations around the city — and more around the world. In 2004, the LES location became home to Moscot Music, a concert series that continues to this day, which features local musicians playing sets in the Orchard Street store. Of course, the real attractions are Moscot’s precision-engineered and fashionable frames and lenses, bringing a century of experience to every pair of glasses that leaves the premises.
When it comes time to furnish their One Manhattan Square home, residents should make a beeline for Coming Soon, where a curated collection of household goods and vintage finds makes interior decoration a breeze. Whether they’re looking for colorful cookware, 1920s-style lighters, or a vintage leather sofa that looks like a centipede, Coming Soon customers are sure to find something that will fit with their personal aesthetic.
These shops are just the surface of the Lower East Side’s deep well of unique retailers. But keep in mind, there’s no better way to find something new and exciting than signing up for a tour at One Manhattan Square and then exploring the neighborhood for yourself.