November 24, 2023 Shopping
The neighborhood has the best shopping in town for the little ones: threads from France, toys from Denmark, scooters from Switzerland and some only-in-New-York items.
BOOMERANG TOYS
119 W. Broadway | Duane & Thomas
BPC resident Karen Barwick brought specialty and classic toys to Downtown two decades ago and is the neighborhood’s #1 scooter supplier.
••• My kids spent years building marble runs; this is the next gen. GraviTrax by the Ravensburger puzzle people. Splurge for the bigger set. $72 to $132.
••• My nephews were only interested in municipal vehicles — for real — and these are great for out-of-towners or locals. The doors work on the articulated bus. $30; SI Ferry $50.
••• Adding a third because this game was a huge hit for us two years ago and I have not seen it anywhere else. Klask, from Denmark. $66
BALOON SALLOON
133 W. Broadway at Duane
Tribecan Sharon Hershkowitz and her daughter Tiffany are four decades into the balloon design and delivery service, and have the wackiest toy selection in town.
••• You can have the kids race their wind-up roaches. $7
••• We argued over the best among the throwback toys, so take your pick among our top three (or make them a ’70s set): LiteBrite $35; Spirograph $22; Colorforms $25
BABESTA
56 Warren | West Broadway and Church
Tribecan Jenn Cattaui curates everything cool and indie for baby — toys, clothing and especially gear. Plus they will wrap for the holidays.
••• For your little rocker, officially licensed rock star PJs made from super-soft bamboo fibers. $59
••• There’s a new Micromini in town: the 3-in-1 scooter has light-up wheels and handlebars, with bells and tassel add-ons for the stocking stuffer. $125 to $175.
MY LITTLE SUNSHINE
145 Hudson at Hubert
The kids’ store (and hair salon!) has classic but modern threads and even more classic toys.
••• For the little one who loves to accessorize, acrylic bangles that are best in sets. $8.50
••• It’s reindeer season! An alpaca hoodie with ears and a zip up the back. $196
KOH’S KIDS
311 Greenwich | Reade and Chambers
For the finest threads for baby and kids, with brands such as Stella McCartney, Little Marc Jacobs, Scotch & Soda and Petit Bateau.
••• I am always drawn to the Billie Blush line, and this little bomber sparkles for forever. $125
••• The Trolls dress is reportedly *the* thing this season. They are flying out of the store. $210.
PLAYING MANTIS
32 N. Moore | Varick and Hudson
Imelda McCain’s store carries handmade toys made with natural materials from around the world — and you won’t see them anywhere else.
••• A decidedly not-Barbie camper that you can ride on. $332
••• Old-fashioned fun: animal themed wooden puzzles that would be fun in a set. $18
TWO KIDS AND A DOG
275 Greenwich | Warren & Murray
The newcomer from Brooklyn is chock-a-block with toys for all ages.
••• Hands-down the best Squishmallow we’ve seen — an animated giant mushroom — and doubles as extra seating. $299
••• Excellent for travel or killing time at grandma’s while the adults drink: complete colo(u)ring sets with stickers and markers included. Get multiples. $20
JACADI
106 Reade | W. Broadway and Church
Timelessly elegant and trendy from Paris since 1976.
••• More sparkles! Fuzzy-lined ballet slippers with a lot of flare. $85
••• It has it all: pink on pink, cashmere, ear flaps, pom pom. And they might just keep it on. $99
THE LITTLE
393 Greenwich | Beach & N. Moore
This is the second outlet for The Little, whose first shop for baby and kids apparel is in East Hampton.
••• Hannukah will sneak up on you, so be ready with the PJs for girls and boys, $56 and $59
••• So there are fewer tears when it comes time to put on a sweater: a cashmere hoodie with a zipper up the back. $176
NATURINO
147 Reade | Greenwich & West Broadway
••• This spot is stocking-stuffer central, and we loved the snowman headbands with lots of sparkle. $24
••• These booties are unisex and for any kid who likes a little bling for the holidays. $92
BABY COTTONS
123 West Broadway at Duane
••• Matching for the whole fam: cotton PJs in Peruvian cotton. $52 for the onesies up to size 12 months; PJs up to size 10 years; adults are $50 for the top or bottom, sold separately.
EVERAFTER
349 Greenwich | Harrison and Jay
Intermix founders Haro Keledjian and Sari Sloane created Everafter as a way to find cool clothes for their own kids. There is now an expanded teen shop in the front.
••• Cool clothes for boys are hard to find, and every kid loves a hoodie. Molo tie dye in organic cotton, $80.
••• We called them Dopp kits, but the aka is beauty bag, customized with stick-on (I would have the tailor sew them) initials or a fun message, like XO. $65 to $85.
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