Bargain hunting in Manhattan

Meh. I don't shop at TJMaxx or H&M existing stores, so it's hard to imagine more of those kinds of stores will actually persuade me. I'd rather see unique mom and pop shops flourish than mega-chains.

@Uraniumfish unfortunately in this city mom and pop store are finding it very difficult to survive. People nowadays seem to want 'fast' fashion i.e. trendy clothes that are cheap and can be worn a few times and then discarded. I like going to discount retailers to hunt down brands I can't afford otherwise. I have found Cole Haan and Furla handbags at the Century 21 store at Cortland Street at prices I wouldn't have got at the company stores or otherwise. I rarely shop at H&M( though I do like their long sleeve Ts for layering in NYC winters) and I have never bought anything at Forever 21 stores which seem to be extremely popular with both locals and tourists too.

I wonder how long these stores can sell at bargain prices. With the high rents they will pay, those who shop there just may have to open their wallets, pocketbooks, and handbags a little wider.

Apparently the way people save money in tough times is not by buying fewer clothes but by buying cheaper clothes. So it makes sense these discount chains will flourish. Totally not my taste though. I'd rather have one beautiful designer piece I know I'll wear for a long time than 10 cheap pieces that will wear badly after three months. Also, although I am a snob about fashion, I am a super-snob about materials and refuse to wear anything with plastic in it, which is what many discount clothes are made from. So, it's only linen, cotton, wool, silk, etc mixtures for me, thanks. I shudder when I go into H&M: everything's made of plastic!

@Uraniumfish: The problem with plastic is you can't place it in a dryer or the plastic could melt. My girlfriend bought a shirt that was pure plastic (cheap that is why she bought it), and the label said do not place in dryer, nor wash in hot water. She wore the shirt twice and placed it in a washing machine with hot water. The skirt was ruined. The plastic melted and was everywhere in the washing machine.

We have a portable washing machine and it took her a few minutes to scrap out the plastic. She learned from that experience.

By the way, I do not like plastic either. It doesn't fit comfortably for some reason.

@Uraniumfish I always feel like I am in K-Mart when I stumble into an H&M. I would much rather be in a smaller, emptier shop, even if it is a little more expensive.

@Uraniumfish I am so like you that's why I have been so disappointed with the Ann Taylor brand recently. I used to like their simple tops which were made of silk but lately maybe in an effort to cut costs they have jumped on the polyester bandwagon. I just can't bring myself to drop $88 on a top whose label reads 100% polyester, sure it lasts longer and its wash and wear rather than dry clean or hand wash but its truly uncomfortable to wear polyester in temps that regularly touch 100F.

@Everyone after the discount retailers, here come the fast food chains ( albeit some are high end chains)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703615104575329193707039062.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Rents have dropped in Manhattan and that is allowing chains like Panera Bread to get a toe-hold on Manhattan's retail scene. Soon NYC will begin to look like a city in N.J. help!

The rent drops have also allowed me to move back into Manhattan, though!

@Uraniumfish we welcome you not so sure about the food chain stores though..

Hah! The food chain stores will never make it in Chinatown! That's at least one part of Manhattan I'm sure will never be turned into New Jersey.

@Uraniumfish: Don't ever say never. Remember, this is NY. Anything can happen.

@Uptowngirl: I'm not really into fashion or designer this or that. When I buy clothes, I rarely look at the manufacturer. I strictly look at the price. If a shirt is priced below $15, I'll go for it. If pants are below $20, I'll go for it.

It doesn't seem like food chains really need a low rent to move into Manhattan though....? I read something in NY Mag recently that talked about how a lot of high end chefs are opening burger joints because that's what people are going out to get in these times of economic downturn. I guess Panera is not exactly a big draw when it comes to Manhattanite eaters, but wouldn't those things attract a lot of tourists?

Have you guys ever bought knockoffs in Chinatown? I've been reading about the trade lately - I never realized it was so big!

I've just been put on the trail of the best masseuse in NYC, who is of course in Chinatown and charges Chinatown prices (very reasonable!) and is located right around the corner. Hah! Guess where I'm spending tomorrow morning?

@Uraniumfish I can't still long enough for a massage though the husband relishes them and seems to get them ever so often. He has had a foot massage in Chinatown but I don't know where and I believe he spent $60 for an hour long pampering session.

@uptowngirl My guy charges $40 for an hour-long back massage. He's a kind of a master, he has a loyal following.

@Uraniumfish I have to get the name and the contact from you! The husband will be thrilled with that kind of deal. will send you a PM for the information.

@ajadedidealist: My girlfriend bought something from Chinatown that was supposed to have been knockoffs, and it broke on her two days later. she only paid $10 for it. I believe, if I remember correctly, that is was a watch.

@Uraniumfish Who is this guy!

Yeah! Don't be stingy with the info Uraniumfish!

Ahem. Okay, so here is the write-up of the place on yelp:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/fishion-herb-center-new-york

Believe me it's hard to reveal this one since I want to keep it to myself.

Is it really $20 for a 30 min massage! Thanks for NOT keeping this to yourself - though you could've just shot us a private message :)

@Uraniumfish many thanks!

@Everyone Walmart seems poised to enter NYC... bah there is no doubt we are turning into New Jersey. The report also states that there are 10 Target stores in the city??? is that true?I know there is one of 125th street near Costco and one huge one on Atlantic Avenue..but where are the rest?
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20101107/SMALLBIZ/311079980