Here’s Lo-Down contributor Jessica Delfino’s weekly roundup of shops, sales and new collections to keep your eye on.
The Little Shoe Store (40 Clinton Street): If some various appendage of yours is anything other than average sized, it can be tricky to find the right fit in the style you covet. At least Lower East Siders with petite feet (size 6 and under) have The Little Shoe Store. I have 8 ½ size feet, so my problem is, all the good shoes are gone fast. “The Never Ending Supply of Cool Shoes for People With Feet Size 8 ½ Store” would be pretty sweet, but… This specialty store just relocated from 58 Orchard Street to 40 Clinton Street and they have some amazing $5/$10/$20 sales on their website. The store is open Tuesday through Friday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and are closed on Monday.
Rainbow (110 Delancey Street): There’s something about this place ya just gotta love. Is it that the store clerks are real New York rude? Is it that their shirts start at $5.99? Is it that local celebs like Reverend Jen dig their threads? Sure, the quality is questionable and most of their stuff is made in China, but that’s pretty hard to avoid these days. When I asked if they were having any sales, they said “no,”, but the place is kind of one giant sale all the time, and the people watching beats the crap out of Starbucks, so grab a $20 and treat yourself like a queen. Rainbow is open Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Moo Shoes (78 Orchard St., between Broome/Grand) gives a care about animals; that’s why the store only sells vegan friendly shoes and merchandise — which means you won’t find leather or wool in the shop. And not even the silk worm will be harmed on their watch. A sign upon entering asks that fur wearers take a hike. So if you plan to attend their May 4th bake sale, which benefits Goose Watch NYC, you might want to skip the vintage fox cape. Moo Shoes is open Monday to Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
David Owens Vintage Clothing (154 Orchard Street): It is getting excessively more frustrating to visit thrift stores. Don’t they get it? Half the fun is treasure hunting, so if the whole store is all pre-picked and overpriced, they’re not treasures anymore, mang. I almost never go to “thrift stores” in Manhattan anymore, but I like this place. Items are pre-picked but in a way that still allows you to make a dope find on your own. Plus, the fact that the owner and the store itself are also actually “old school” is, well, authentic. The shop is open Monday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
American Apparel (183 E. Houston Street @ Orchard St.) is known for it’s randy billboards and imagery–half nude women in provocative poses and more recently, a battle with Woody Allen about something or other. But did you know about their $5, $10 and $15 bargain bins? Here’s a hot tip: if you visit their website and sign up for their mailing list, you’ll nab an additional 15% off your purchase. Maybe the girls in the ads just haven’t signed up yet. American Apparel is open 7 days a week, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
