Here’s Lo-Down contributor Jessica Delfino’s weekly roundup of Lower East Side shops, sales and new collections to keep your eye on.
Ricky’s Pup Up Pet Shop (498 Broome St.) is THE spot to get your pet’s Halloween costume or other pet accessory needs this year. I don’t have a dog, but I almost wish I did so that I could dress it up like a little witch dog or like Little Bo Pup.
You probably know Ricky’s for it’s Manic Panic hair dye in a rainbow of colors as well as make up, accessories and fashion items for pretty much any beauty whim or need you could ever possibly have, as well as their annual Halloween shops that appear all over the city to dress you up for Halloween in the five boroughs, but now Ricky’s is dressing up your pup for Halloween, too.
If you missed the Tompkins Square Puppy Parade, I feel sorry for you, because it’s really one of the most special things about Halloween in NYC. But no need to “boo-boo” about it, because the human Halloween Parade is nothing to scoff at. If you still don’t have a Halloween costume for your dog (or yourself), Ricky’s is the spot. They are open today from 10 am until 8 pm.
Ludlow and Hester Nail Spa (29-D Ludlow St.) If you happen past the intersection of Ludlow and Hester, you’ll see a few things of note. On the North East corner of Hester, you’ll happen past The Sweet Life, the neighborhood’s go to spot for treats and confections from around the world. Just across the street is Barzinho restaurant, a Brazilian food and bar spot that relocated to it’s current corner from TriBeCa not so long ago.
Their next door neighbor on Ludlow is a laundrymat and dry cleaner that’s been there since back when the neighborhood was still Chinatown. Across from the laundrymat at 31 Ludlow St. is Stanley’s Pharmacy, where you can get a nice cup of tea for what ails ya.
And right next door, at 29-D Ludlow, is the brand new Ludlow and Hester Nail Spa, a classic nail joint that offers up manicures ($10), pedicures ($20), spa services, waxing and more. The place is clean; they work fast and frankly, gave me the most professional and hot looking manicure I’ve had in a long time. Yep, they pretty much “nailed” it. You get a free manicure after 10 manicures, to boot.
Ludlow & Hester Nail Spa is open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 am to 8 pm and Sunday 10 am to 7 pm.
Carpet Culture (390 Broome Street) was located on Crosby Street for the last ten years, but they lost their lease and relocated to Broome Street in the last year. The store is spacious and bright, with carpets and textiles in beautiful colors and patterns all over the store ranging in price from under $100 to over $20,000, but what attracted me in on this particular day was a rack of clothing positioned outside the shop with a sign that said “$20.”
Always keen to score a deal, I perused the selection and immediately, I knew this was no typical $20 rack. Usually, when I see clothing outside on a markdown rack, I am disappointed in the quality or it’s already been picked clean of the good stuff, but I always take a peek, just in case. On this day, I won.
I found many beautiful items that were well worth a twenty spot. I chose a few and entered the store, where I met Mr. Bhat, who allowed me to try on the items downstairs. In the remodeled basement, there was another large rack full of lovely items of Indian influence, and also many beautiful purses marked in the $200-$300 range.
Mr. Bhat explained that his daughter, Shireen, who also goes by Sheena was a pre-med student but that she also had a great eye for fashion and had started an off-shoot called Cloth Culture, which focuses on hip clothing. I was quite taken with the clothing and chose two beautiful shirts to add to my wardrobe. I am so glad to have found Cloth Culture and will be incorporating it into my regular shopping circuit.
Carpet Culture / Cloth Culture is open 10-7 Monday through Saturday and Sunday 12-6. Sheena is in the store Monday and Tuesday.
Send your tips about upcoming sales and new collections to: tips@TheLoDownNY.com
Jessica Delfino is a comedic musician who has lived and performed in the LES for like, forever. She first fell in love with beautiful clothing as a kid when her mom let her dress up in her vintage stash. Jessica was called “One of NY’s 50 Most Fashionable People” by Time Out NY. Check her out at here. She’s also @JessicaDelfino on Twitter.
