Boutique, Antique, and Thrift Shopping in New York
I learned something from my friend Robert last time I visited in his home town city of New York. I usually stay with him when I’m in the city, but he had moved into such a small apartment so I decided to find a room. I had sold a few paintings, and had a bit of money to spend, but not much. I prefer the funky places, be they hotels, cafes, restaurants or just that part of a city, the eclectic neighborhood. My trip was to be a tour of the vintage and thrift shops, as well as the street markets and artsy boutiques. This is what I was also looking for in my hotel accommodations and found that here, a thoroughly unique, and friendly place to come home from a day of haggling on the streets.
Oh…haggling, that is what I learned from my friend on this last trip, how to get the most for my money, and come home with some incredible treasures to boot. The thing is, that I’m just not that comfortable haggling. I grew up in Phoenix and we would many times cross the border into Mexico to find the incredible ceramics, blankets and jewelry that they sell on the streets, and I have never been able to haggle. The vendors recognize me and smile when they see me approach. The thing is, the vendors in Mexico are kind, and most of time soft spoken. This is what I was worried about, as in New York, I don’t think I’ve ever met someone soft spoken, so it was trial by fire…haggling with the best of best.
As it turned out, for most of the day Robert did the talking, and because of him I did end up with quite a few vintage and used treasures, from a 1920’s hat, to a purse that apparently belonged to the sister of the friend of the uncle who opened the famous Belasco Theatre. I had no idea who that was, but I had at least a bit of an idea…it had belonged to someone with a name and most of my things had belonged to strangers. My last purchase of the day was a green, jeweled choker. A piece of beautiful costume jewelry with an elaborate butterfly as the centerpiece. The great thing was I haggled and I wasn’t even trying to do so. I asked the man “how much?” He said, “$20.” I only had $10 left, and so I told him that and began to walk away. He called my back and said, “Okay, $10!” I couldn’t believe it. Robert thought I was brilliant. I haven’t told him yet that I wasn’t really haggling. I’ll let him sit with me being brilliant, just for a little while.