Travel & Guides

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• May 13, 2005
• Neighborhood Watch

Neighborhood Watch: Emma Fletcher

My Neighborhood: NoLita with Emma Fletcher

Since its relative explosion five or so years ago, there are few surprises to be had in NoLita—few if any unexpected bars or discreet lesser-known restaurants. But designer and owner of Lyell, Emma Fletcher, begs to differ. She recently took a few hours off (sandwiched between a Nylon photo shoot and checking in at her store and factory) to lead Refinery29 around to her favorite neighborhood NoLita spots.

"I used to live on Elizabeth in a tiny apartment right downstairs from a Lovely Day," says Australian-born Fletcher. "I wish I still had it. It was $500 a month! Back then, Jane Mayle and the glass-blower Michael Atkin were among the only people here. But around 1999 it really got crazy." Though a resident of the area, Fletcher didn’t open her boutique on Elizabeth until late 2003. "Having my store here felt like coming home," she says.

Lovely Day
196 Elizabeth Street (between Prince & Spring)
212-925-3310

"I love this place," says Fletcher. "I get the same thing all the time—Thai Ice Tea, a julienne salad, the summer rolls, sautéed broccoli. I have my certain things that I get. The interior is so cute, although it's a bit more of a winter spot for me."

Bread
20 Spring Street (between Elizabeth & Mott)
212-334-1015

"Whenever, I have to meet someone for work, I usually come to Bread." Her order? The tomato soup.

Desalvio Playground
Spring Street (between Mulberry & Mott)

"I come here because I have a son. He's five. I bring him to the store sometimes. He just cruises around and goes to the furniture shop next door." The playground is also one of the best places to hang out and read or eat lunch during the week.

Outside the bakery Ceci-Cela, the mouth-watering tomato soup at Bread, an exterior view of French flower shop Polux

Ruby's
219 Mulberry Street (between Prince & Spring)
212-925-5755

"Two Australian guys started it. Such a small world. I met them at Lovely Day. I was building my store and they were building the restaurant. They were a week ahead of me. And then I started seeing them everywhere. And then my mom called and told me she had a friend whose son Tom just moved to New York. It turned out to be the same Tom opening Ruby's. It's really Australian. All their burgers are named after different Sydney beaches."

Polux Fleuriste
248 Mott Street (between Houston & Prince)
212-219-9646

"I get flowers for the store here every few days. It's my favorite florist. There's also a cool jewelry line they sell here by Kaname."

Ceci-Cela
55 Spring Street (between Lafayette & Mulberry)

"I get a chocolate croissant, and a coffee from here every morning. So good!"

Around Lolita with Emma Fletcher.