So many credit cards, so little time.It’s not just the prices, it’s the staggering choice. Remember, we've arranged for a free gift for NYCard holders at that most New York of stores, Bloomingdales. Also note that our Lower East Side Walking Tour includes some first-rate cutting-edge designer shopping.

Note that as of June 2003 sales tax at the rate of 8.625% is added to ticketed prices for everything. The exception for clothing and footwear under $110 has been eliminated for the next year, at least.

Uunless a shop’s posted policy indicates otherwise, you have the right to a full refund if you return the item unused with the receipt within 20 days from the date of purchase.

If you feel you’ve been cheated, immediately call the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs Tel: 212-487-4444. They are the good guys.

Here's a sampling of the popular, the high quality, or simply the essentially American. And a few of the haunts of really in-the-know locals

Beauty, Clothing/Vintage Clothing, Department Stores, Shoes, Sporting Goods and Clothing

Antiques, Books, Cameras, Computers/Electronics, Music

Edibles, Flowers, Household, Pharmacies, Wine/Liquor

Gifts/Gizmos/Souvenirs, Jewelry, Leather/Luggage, Special Interest

Edibles

Amy’s Bread
Chelsea Market, 75 9th Avenue (betw. W.15th and W.16th Sts.)
Tel: 212-462-4338

Bread so good it doesn’t need butter. Set in an indoor food market also worth investigating.

Balducci’s
424 6th Ave. (at W.9th St.)
Tel: 212-673-2600

Ordinary and exotic, this jam-packed institution sells it all. Here for a month and blessed with cooking skills? You still might be tempted by Mama Balducci’s prepared foods.

Black Hound
170 2nd Ave. (betw. E.10th and E.11th Sts.)
Tel: 212-979-9505

Cakes, cookies, chocolates; carefully made and carefully packaged.

Fairway
2127 Broadway (betw. W.74th and W.75th Sts.)
Tel: 212-595-1888

A stand-out in cheese plus everything else, reasonably priced. Also at 23-28 W.132nd St. (at 12th Ave.) Tel: 212-234-3883.

Kalustyans
123 Lexington Ave. (betw. E.28th and E29th Sts.)
Tel: 212-685-3451

Persian housewives know that the pulpy flesh of the senjed is supposed to be an aphrodisiac. Find it in this hugely comprehensive spice, rice and all things nice store.

Kossar’s
367 Grand St. (betw. Essex and Norfolk Sts.)
Tel: 212-473-4810

A bialy is a kissing cousin to a bagel, but can’t be found everywhere. Truly old New York. Open 24 hours.

Myers of Keswick
634 Hudson St. (betw. Horatio and Jane Sts.)
Tel: 212-691-4194

This ex-pat British grocer can quiet your colonial cravings for Marmite and pork pies.

Pug Brothers Popcorn
265 Columbus Ave. (betw. W.72nd and W.73rd Sts.)
Tel: 212-595-4780

Caramel corn, chocolate corn, melted cheddar corn and more: it’s all here in this shop that sells nothing but.

Russo & Son
344 E.11th St. (betw. 1st and 2nd Aves.)
Tel: 212-254-7452

This is the best mozzarella maker in town, and has been since 1908.

Ruthy’s Cheesecake and Rugalach Bakery
75 9th Ave. (at W.15th St.)
Tel: 212-463-8800

25 flavours of cheesecake and 13 of rugelach. (If you don’t know it, try it.)

Zabar’s
2245 Broadway (at W.80th St.)
Tel: 212-787-2000

Best known for its smoked fish, well-priced caviar and aggressive crowds. It’s an institution, except the food’s better.

Flowers

See Gift Giving From Afar, below.

Household

ABC Carpet and Home
888 Broadway (betw. E.18th and E.19th Sts.)
Tel: 212-473-3000

Elaborate textiles, bed linens, frills and furbelows. Also floors of antique and vintage furniture, tableware, small leather goods and children’s toys. Exquisite styling.

Bridge Kitchenware
214 E.52nd St. (betw. 2nd and 3rd Aves.)
Tel: 212-688-4220

Mind-boggling selection in one of the best shops of its kind anywhere. Truly expert staff. Come here for top quality copper pans. If you’re from abroad, get one of those really “grown up” KitchenAid mixers at literally 1/2 price. Remember that although you can buy a converter for voltage, there isn’t one for “cycles” so motors won’t turn as they should. Bridge understands all this and will sell you the right model.

Canal Plastic Center
345 Canal St. (betw. Greene and Wooster Sts.)
Tel: 212-925-1032

Apart from sheet plastics and holographic papers, you’ll find boxes, bottles, balls, and optical lamps. A very unusual but inspiring source.

Moss
146 Greene St. (betw. Prince and W.Houston Sts.)
Tel: 212-226-2190

Modern furniture, household-ware. Because it takes itself very seriously, this store has risen above many other SoHo sources of high design. If you have a Flash plug-in, www.mossonline.com is very much worth the download.

New York Cake & Baking Dist.
56 W.22nd St. (betw. 5th and 6th Aves.)
Tel: 212-675-2253

Cake makers’ and decorators’ paradise. Huge selection of tins and cutters, including Mickey Mouse, cake candles and piping equipment.

Pharmacies

You can find drug stores on any street corner. But the ones listed below are the best in town and will find time to be friendly and helpful. If you’re from abroad, they will also be able to “translate” your non-American drug into its local equivalent.

C.O. Bigelow Chemists
414 6th Ave. (betw. W.8th and W.9th Sts.), New York, NY 10011
Tel: 212-533-2700, Fax: 212-228-8107

Known for luxe bath supplies, cosmetics. Also has a complete range of homeopathic remedies. Open 365 days a year. A real New York institution (since 1838).

Zitomer
969 Madison Ave. (betw. E.75th and E.76th Sts.), New York, NY 10021
Tel: 212-737-5560, Fax: 212-650-0513

This is typical Madison Avenue, and even has a liveried doorman. For the pharmacy, go to the rear of the store on the ground floor, past the evening bags, children’s toys and all else in between.

Wine and Liquor Shops

Sherry-Lehmann
679 Madison Ave. (betw. E.61st and E.62nd Sts.) New York, NY 10021
Tel: 838-7500, Fax: 838-9285

Distinguished and solid, with a vast array of vintages. One of the most trusted in the country. Despite being grand and smart, both wine merchants listed have good prices and stock inexpensive wines as well as blockbusters.

Union Square Wines and Spirits
33 Union Sq. West (betw. W.16th and W.17th Sts.) New York, NY 10003
Tel: 212-675-8100, Fax: 212-675-8663

Despite being the hottest wine merchant in the hottest part of town, there’s no attitude here. Just a cheekily large selection of desirable back palates and long finishes.