City Walks and Storefronts
A field guide to beautiful spaces (and racks) in NYC.
We were in town this past weekend for a girls trip, but naturally, we broke off from the main plans to check out a few spots that had been sitting on our lists for a while. Between bites, art, and music, we made time for one of our favorite rituals: window-shopping (but not really). Below, a roundup of the pop-ups and flagships we stepped into. Some felt like walking through a concept book, others like wandering through someone’s personality. Here's what we saw, what we liked, and what came home with us.
(1) Paloma Wool
425 Broome St
Paloma Wool was our first stop, and for good reason. We’ve been dying to experience it in person (we even considered rerouting our last Euro trip just to visit one of their pop-ups in Barcelona). So when we heard they’d opened a NYC location earlier this year, we didn’t wait.
The store is stunning, but what really stood out was the experience. You’re handed a pencil and slip of paper at the door, then walk through two curated racks with numbered tags. Jot down your picks, and voilà, your fitting room is ready and waiting.
We came specifically for their cupro pieces (though of course, we left with more than that). Cupro, a plant-based fabric made from recycled cotton linter, drapes like a dream. Fluid, sculptural, and totally addictive.
(2) Fruity Booty (Pop-Up: May 15th - 25th)
262 Mott St
This stop officially got us excited for summer. The setup felt like stepping straight into a beach day, real sand included. Alongside pieces from their Spring/Summer 2025 collection (yes, we brought some home), they had the dreamiest postcards we’ve seen. Naturally, we took one of each.
Fruity Booty is female-led, and everything they make is crafted from deadstock or sustainably-sourced materials. Playful, thoughtful, and seriously well made. Their focus is on underwear, swimwear, and the small-but-essential things that go with them.
One more reason we had to stop by? An accessories label we’ve been eyeing for months. Talina, a Barcelona-based brand making wearable sculptures, was part of the pop-up. I’d been holding off for the right moment, and this felt like it. The piece I chose reminds me of those wooden cab driver seat beads I used to stare at as a kid (you’ll see what I mean below).
(3) With Jean
43 Wooster St
The day we were packing for New York was the same day With Jean announced their NYC store opening. Naturally, a few things came out of our suitcase to make room for what we knew we’d be bringing back. There was a bit of a line (it’s still new, after all), but the space is generous, the queue moves fast, and yes, it’s worth it.
Most of what’s online is stocked in-store. With Jean doesn’t mass produce, and their pieces are ethically made, so if you see something you love in your size, don’t overthink it. It might be gone tomorrow.
We missed the opening-day coffee truck, but the interiors still delivered. We left with a few matchbooks and yes, some clothes too.
(4) Magda Butrym (Pop-Up: March 31st - June 30th)
140 Wooster St
The space or the clothes? Still undecided. All we know is that it was a lace dream from floor to ceiling, even the door handles played along.
Magda Butrym has created her own take on femininity, blending strength with softness, minimalism with detail. The space, like her designs, feels both romantic and refined. She collaborates with independent artisans across Poland, enriching luxurious fabrics with hand-knitted elements, plaited leather, and hand-embroidered details.
For the future brides out there, this place is worth a visit. Yes, the pieces are an investment, but they’re the kind you want to wear on a day that really matters. And every day after that.
(5) Sabah House
56 Bleecker St
This one isn’t exactly a store, it’s more of a gathering place. A space for conversation, connection, and, yes, very good shoes.
As I plan my next trip (with Turkey as one of the stops), I had to return to one of my favorite NYC spots: Sabah House. What began in a home office and small workshop in Turkey has become a kind of cult favorite. I bought my first pair in 2022, and they’ve stayed in heavy rotation ever since, my go-to the moment the weather warms up.
When we walked in, we were greeted with wine and easy conversation by the kind of staff you’d actually want to hang out with. Between glasses, we walked out with a new pair of Sabahs, some linen shorts, and even sunglasses. The curation is that good, and the craftsmanship speaks for itself. The shoes in the picture below (the ones that look like a piece of art and I’m already wearing everywhere) are a special limited edition made for the Lunar New Year. You can spot the snake (it’s the Year of the Snake, after all), and the sole is engraved with 8/80, which tells you just how rare they are.
They just opened a new location in Brooklyn and have a few events coming up. Even if you’re not shopping, go. You might just leave with a story, or a new friend.
(6) Tumbao
20 Orchard St
This one’s a real gem, especially for our fellow Latin American brand lovers. Tumbao has one of the best curations we’ve seen, featuring designers from across Latin America, and it’s another example of a space that doesn’t feel like a store so much as a community you’re being welcomed into.
We stumbled on it by chance, but looking back, the signs were all there. So many of the Latin American brands we’d saved to our Instagram wishlists seemed to have one thing in common: they all followed Tumbao. Naturally, we had to stop by.
There’s no online catalog, and their social media presence is minimal, so the only way to really understand what they’re building is to go. And now, they’ve launched a Substack we’re so excited about. It’s a space for conversations led by founder Valentina, touching on our favorite things: craft, process, and vision. Go follow, you’ll thank us later (@tumbao).
(7) Still Here
905 Madison Ave
Last but definitely not least: you’ll probably catch us in at least one Still Here piece on any given day. Their jeans? Unbelievably comfortable and somehow flattering every time. Their tees? The perfect square cut, structured but easy. Honestly, this one deserves its own post, and we’ll get to that soon.
We tried on nearly every pair of jeans in the place, but what really drew us in was The Vintage Room. Tucked into their Madison Ave location is a small but mighty space filled with gems from Prada, Jil Sander, Gap, Dries Van Noten, YSL, and more. A thoughtful edit that feels less like a rack and more like a treasure chest.
And beyond the cut, fit, and everything else we love about the brand, they were one of our first follows on Substack. We never miss a post, and you shouldn’t either (@stillherenewyork).
Final Stops
We’ve got plenty more spots worth bookmarking, just say the word.
And of course, we couldn’t leave without hitting our usual magazine haunts. The shelves? Hazardous. We left with a small library that tipped our suitcase over the weight limit. No regrets. Just really good papercuts waiting to happen.
Leaving the list below, in case you're tempted too:
Soho News International
Iconic Magazines
Casa Magazines
Mast Books
Until the next detour.
Love this, thank you for stopping by