Tired of the shopping mall and chain stores? Or having to go to Manhattan for anything remotely hip or out of the ordinary?
Try these one-of-a-kind stores in Queens, selling unusual and unique gifts at bargain prices. At least they're bargains compared to Manhattan prices. Call these stores shopping destinations because they're worth the trip, especially for those perfect gifts.
Magic Castle is a Korean pop culture store that sells toys, stickers, stationery, and more emblazoned with cute characters like Hello Kitty, Kogepan, Pucca, Dragonball Z, and San-X. They also have pop music hits from Korea on CD, and they carry low-priced jewelry, hair clips, and more for teenage girls. (136-82 39th Avenue, Flushing, NY, across from the large municipal parking lot)
The gift shop at the Queens Museum of Art stocks vintage and reproduction souvenirs and gifts from both the 1964-65 and 1939 World's Fairs. They make fabulous NYC gifts and are nearly impossible to find anywhere else. Also find Queens-focused souvenirs for those who love the borough.
A cradle of hip-hop, Jamaica is where it still happens. Shoppers come by the bus-load for the latest and greatest in hip-hop fashions at good prices. There are hundreds of small retailers, and a few larger ones like Cookie's, lining Jamaica Avenue between Parsons and 168th Street. The center of the shopping district is 165th Street, where a pedestrian plaza takes over the street between Jamaica and 89th Avenues. Hot Point is one store stocking Baby Phat, Fubu, and Kangol (165-13 Jamaica Ave).
4. Stella Gialla, Fashion Boutique in Middle Village
Opened by two Queens-born fashion designers, Stella Gialla brings city fashions, like C. Ronson and Joe's Jeans, to Middle Village. Don't miss their own VanRey line of miniskirts and tops, or their hand-knit dresses. (75-48 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village, NY, 11354, 718-894-0919, closed Tuesdays)
The South Asian section of 74th Street in Jackson Heights literally glows from all the gold jewelry shops. Twenty-two karat gold is the style, with a rich, deep sheen not found on 14 kara gold. It comes in very intricate patterns and designs. Another plus is that the sale price is based strictly on weight, which with 22k is almost 100% gold, unlike lower karats. (Sona Chandi, 37-14 74th St. Jackson Heights, NY)
