The Niche Shop – 311 E 81st St
Vintage clothing, charm bracelets, home decor–The Niche Shop has it all! Located just a short walk north of MMC, this woman-owned store offers unique finds perfect for the fashion-lover in your life. When you shop their carefully curated collection of secondhand vintage apparel, you can find an outfit that’s cute and sustainably sourced.
We recommend:
Bracelet charms: $5
Magnets: $7
Beaded bracelet: $15
Vintage watches: $62
Vintage clothing: varies
Quest Bookshop – 240 E 53rd St
Quest is no ordinary bookshop–it’s a spiritual haven offering unique gifts. With a variety of candles, fragrance oils and crystals, their products will engage all your senses. Right between the Found and 55th Street dorms, you can find the perfect gift for the friend that needs to find their zen.
We recommend:
Sun’s Eye spray: $5 or $12 (size dependent)
Crystal bracelets: $8
Chakra energy candles: $17
The Pet Market – 1227 3rd Ave
Treat your best friend to novelty treats and legendary toys this holiday season at The Pet Market! When you enter their store, just steps away from MMC’s entrance, employees will help you find toys tailored to your pet’s breed. But no holiday is complete without dessert: treat your pet to one-of-a-kind novelties like freeze-dried alligator or locally made classics like Bocce’s jerky sticks. The Pet Market, now thirty-three years old, is a woman-owned business that has expanded to six locations around the city and offers same-day delivery service.
We recommend:
Bocce’s treats: $11-13
Lamb Chop® toy: $11-23 (multiple varieties)
Stella and Chewy’s food topper: $13-48 (size dependent)
Argosy Book Store – 116 E 59th St
New York’s oldest indie book store has all the best gifts for the friend who embodies old-book-smell energy. Their rare books, antique maps and unique prints are an academic’s dream. Stop on your way back from MMC to the Found or 55th Street dorms, and make sure to explore both floors! As it celebrates its hundredth year, let Argosy share its wisdom on your next book search.
We recommend:
Books on sale: $3-6
Old prints: $20
Knitting 321 – 321 E 75th St #1
Calling all crafters: Knitting 321 has the gift for the person you know who loves knitting, or is trying to get into knitting. They offer unique patterns and high-quality yarns to help you create the best projects. The store also holds knitting and crocheting classes, a great experiential gift for a knitter of any skill level! Only a few blocks from MMC, the friendly folks at Knitting 321 can help you treat your favorite knitter/crocheter this holiday season.
We recommend:
Yarn: varies
Patterns: varies
Knitting/crocheting lessons: $40
Super Runners Shop – 805 3rd Ave
Another pick for hobbyists! Though the name might suggest it’s only for runners, Super Runners Shop has the perfect gifts for any athlete or anyone who’s looking for sneakers or athletic clothing. Founded fifty years ago by the first NYC Marathon winner Gary Muhrcke, Super Runners Shop now has four locations across Manhattan, with its nearest store on 3rd Avenue a mere 800 feet from the entrance to Found Study. It offers the best of both worlds, as it is a small business with rich local history, carrying all your favorite brands like Nike and Vuori.
We recommend:
Feetures Socks: $15-18
Nike Pro Short: $30
Hokas: currently on sale $40-50
Nike Universa Medium Support Bra: $65
Nike Run NYC Fleece Hoodie: $65
Nike L Vomero Premium: $230
Chelsea Market Artists & Fleas – 88 10th Ave
Artists & Fleas at Chelsea Market is the one-stop shop for all your holiday gift shopping needs! Take a short train ride downtown and browse from over thirty local retailers. From jewelry to stationery to vinyls, this historic merchant hall has something for everyone.
We recommend:
Vinyls from Eat Records
Skincare and Wellness from Herbs Fit Life
Jewelry from Jewels by Atlantis
Press-on nail sets from Cornelia Nails
