The Beautiful Grand Central Holiday Market
Reds, greens, and sparkles dance about everywhere we look. Christmas tree vendors and the sweet smell of pine take up the sidewalks. Our favorite department stores’ holiday windows compete with extravagant, unique themes. The Rockefeller Christmas tree is lit. And you know what else? Shops are just popping up everywhere in the city. From Soho, to Times Square, to the Upper East Side, these pop-up shops are open just for the holiday season to ameliorate our shopping experience and options.
I had the opportunity to visit many of these pop-up shops recently, and I was blown away. Everyone can find something new and different for their loved ones. Whether you are tech-nerd, vintage lover, big candy eater, or Gaga fanatic (Hello, Monsters!), there is something for you.
The stores below were my favorites for the 2011 holiday season.
1. Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show—Chelsea Market (88 Tenth avenue at 15th Street)
A giant Vintage marketplace occupies right about 4,000 square feet of industrial space right inside the Chelsea Market. The vendors are friendly and quirky. The clothing and accessories are all top quality, designer items. You can find a good fur coat, Chanel handbag, Louboutin heels, and one-of-a-kind vintage hats at very reasonable prices.
- Hurry! They’re only open until this Saturday, December 10, 2011.
2. Lady Gaga’s Workshop—Barney’s (66 Madison Avenue at 61st Street)
The whole fifth floor at Barney’s is converted into Gaga world. Bright colors and wild patterns attack the walls and hypnotize the eyes. Exclusive Gaga merchandises, including leather jackets, leather cutoff gloves, and a Gaga photo book shot by Terry Richardson are available for sale. You will have the opportunity to see many costume pieces worn by the Lady herself, like the Alexander McQueen alien shoes, and Linda Farrow Mickey Mouse sunglasses from some of her performances. The even cooler thing about this store is that 25% of the proceeds go to charity.
-Available until Monday, January 2, 2012
3. Wired—Times Square (42nd Street at Broadway)
So you’re into gadgets? This is the store for you! Art works of famous pop stars made of cassette tapes, computers, headphones, and fancy video games attract crowds of all ages. The Sound Egg Chair with surround sound and the monitor was among my favorites. The Flux Chair was very impressive: a designer chair that folds into a giant envelop. What can I say? I am a chair person.
-Closing date: December 24, 2011
4. Real Simple—Bryant Park (42nd Street at 6th Avenue)
Looking for amazing stocking stuffers? This is your store. Real Simple Magazine opens up a gift store in the beautiful Bryant Park. Just like its name, this store provides a fun selection of inexpensive, simple and useful goods. The organizational and simple recipe books caught my attention. There is even a beauty corner, offering free makeovers by L’Oreal.
-Closing date: December 13, 2011
5. Dylan’s Candy Bar—(42nd Street at 6th Avenue)
Located right across the street from Bryant Park, this popup shop, all 7,000 square foot of it, is covered in candy of all sizes, colors, and shapes. A life-sized gingerbread house stands in the back of the store for wonderful photo-ops. Sprinkles Cupcakes occupies a small corner of the candy wonderland, offering a total of eight flavors of cupcakes.
-Closing date: January 7, 2012
By: Paola Mathe