Beauty brand Aēsop, jewelry brand Gorjana, fashion labels Rag & Bone and Vince, and streetware purveyor Supreme are among the international retailers that have helped make Nolita a Manhattan shopping destination. But numerous independent shops continue to thrive here as well, ensuring that Nolita retains its unique vibe.
credit: Platform 32
The handcrafted goods available in this jewel box of a shop are made primarily in the area or are sourced from Korea (Platform32’s main store is in Midtown’s Koreatown; the Nolita boutique opened in May 2022). You’re certain to find gifts for even your trickiest-to-shop-for friends and family here: adorable candles by Studio Sukoon that look like birthday cakes and teddy bears; eco-friendly (and beautiful) soaps from Sabun by the Bay; colorful and delicate glass rings by Goldieland Studio; housewares from Wiggle Wiggle adorned with smiling daisies. We dare you to leave empty-handed.
Looking for the opposite of nondescript? Then this women’s clothing store is for you. The bold checks of AVN’s oversize jackets and sweaters, Bettina Bakdal’s one-of-a-kind dresses made from vintage silk scarves, and 69’s reinterpretation of culottes are designed to command attention. Oroboro also sells footwear, jewelry, and even decor with a similarly bold, boho vibe.
credit: Oroboro
It says a lot about Nolita that, despite its small size, it can support an independent bookstore. McNally Jackson’s Nolita store—like its stores in Brooklyn and the South Street Seaport—is open seven days a week, selling books for adults and kids. Around the corner is sister shop Goods for the Study, where you can find stationery and desk accessories ranging from greeting cards to lamps to journals and pens sure to inspire you to start writing longhand again.
Whether it’s a made-to-order onesie or durable Pima cotton jogger pants, Little Moony’s children’s apparel—designed by the founder and handcrafted by her mother—combines stellar quality with timeless cuteness. In addition to the eponymous clothing line for little ones up to age six, the shop sells a curation of children’s books, accessories, and toys (the crocheted rattle designed to look like a taxi is a must-have for any New York baby).
credit: Little Moony
Originally a boutique selling handcrafted and vintage jewelry, Love, Adorned has expanded to offer artisanal home goods and fragrances as well. Rings and bracelets by Todd Pownell made with textured, almost raw-looking gold gleam alongside delicate necklaces by Sarah Appleton; earrings designed by Lola Brooks using gemstone chunks complement Anthony Lent’s sculptural jewelry featuring skulls and stars. Cloisonné vases, Murano glassware, and lusciously scented candles from France’s Mad et Len are among the other treats in store.
credit: Love, Adorned