DKMI A Mile In My Shoes

Even in Manhattan there are bargains to be uncovered.  And shared.

Imagine how thrilled I was to find operating as a clearance center the Filene’s Basement located on Ladies Mile – the nostalgic name for the stretch of 6th Avenue from 14th to 23rd Street where the city’s first department stores flourished specifically as a result of Civil War-era society’s then-novel allowance of women to shop by themselves or with each other, sans male accompaniment.  The neighborhood’s current reputation for housing a high concentration of discounters or off-pricers, such as Loehmann’s, is actually not really a recent incarnation:  As urban planning and development necessitated a geographical move uptown for the city’s premiere department stores, their vacated high ceiling buildings would come to perfectly accommodate fabric suppliers and traders’ multi-yard-high bolts and, in-turn, localize jobbers (or clothing wholesalers) who required competitive and timely access to those base materials.

Although what was once referred to as downtown is now more-so midtown, you just need to understand that you don’t have to shop uptown to be fashionable.

In general, I personally don’t buy much at Filene’s Basement because the limited amount of high-end designer ‘Vault’ merchandise that they carry, which emanates mostly from the venerable Connecticut specialty store giant Richards (or, for the women, from its sister-store Mitchells), is usually priced too high to be enjoyed (or afforded) by this savvy shopper.  And, as it goes, I’m certainly not the only one to feel this way:  This Filene’s location will formally shutter March 6^th after – gasp! – losing its lease.

My bankbook (like yours?) is currently on a recession so I suppose it’s still worth the time to visit the basement space before then (yes, this Filene’s is actually in the basement of a building), though, in advance, be prepared to feel as if you’ve missed out, as there is already a lack of merchandise, highlighted by lots of vacant racks.  To further forewarn, there is an unforgiving Final Sale policy in effect.  And, while I will continue to pop in the nearby Union Square Filene’s when in this area and will inevitably re-visit the 79^th & Broadway store once it’s expansion is complete at the end of this year (slated for August), I’m all too happy to announce here the replacement tenant, coming this April:  Marshalls.

In the interim, upstairs, in addition to Bed, Bath & Beyond, you’ll find Marshalls’ sibling and doppleganger, TJ Maxx, my reliable favorite for ‘necessities’ always priced well below retail, be they my Ralph Lauren boxer shorts or Village Candle Company jarred candles (don’t become complacent with ANY other candle or look-alike brand such as Yankee or Colonial).  This location just finished renovating its store, complete with a newly expanded home furnishings section (where you’ll find the Village candles) and a red fleet of pushable mini-sized shopping carts to boot (while this branch’s limited number of oft-broken and difficult-to-maneuver traditional gray carts remains available for use, their hand held shopping baskets are, thankfully, no longer.  Who really liked lugging their finds around in those baskets anyways?).

Know that the chain’s buyers purchase on such a large scale that, regardless of which state you live in, there really is product uniformity across all stores (I buy my boxers and candles in the Michigan stores, too).  And, even if you don’t live in or plan to visit New York City anytime soon, you’ll be able to experience the best of it at your local TJ Maxx, being that 57^th Street’s Bergdorf Goodman is one of the main suppliers of TJ’s designer goods.  This means that even on a budget you truly can shop high-end labels.  In future blogs I will reveal how to make the most of your discount shopping excursions.  There happens to be more to it than just luck.

Embracing the evolution of Ladies Mile definitely makes for good cents and sense.  In the same vein, I’m offering a concession to all the single ladies:  If you’ll have me, I’m open to shopping alongside you!

BONUS:

As proof that my good palette extends beyond fashion, enjoy: Casaville, 633 Second Avenue (between 34th & 35th Sts), 212.685.8558

Upon entering through this French-Moroccan tapas restaurant and bar’s velvet red curtains, and once seated inside, I always feel outside of New York, like I’m in the Marais district of Paris, and privy to eating where only the locals do.  The sexy candle-lit decor or the eclectic, sometimes Euro-trash-like clientele definitely detaches me from the fact that I am only blocks from my studio.

To start, order one of their specialty cocktails: my favorite is the East Cider (Kettle One Vodka, Navan Vanilla Liqueur, Warm Apple Cider).  Food-wise, their escargot, served traditional style, and the honey and grape-baked brie are unforgettable, as are main courses, such as the grilled salmon Brochettes (or skewers) served with couscous, beets and spiced carrots or the ‘Casaville’ burger with monchego cheese and a side of freshly hand-cut fries (Note: I order both the salmon and the beef rare).  For dessert, enjoy the warmed poached pear in chocolate sauce or the pudding-come-soufflé ‘Chocolate Pot.’

The reasonable prices are a bargain you would be hard-pressed to find in Paris, let alone alone Manhattan, so, Bon Appetit!  Say hello to chef-owner Lahsen or the manager, Sarah.  Be sure to tell them how happy you are that I sent you their way.

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Tags: Casaville Tapas, Commentary, Discount Shopping, Fashion, New York City, Village Candle Company