Sales & Shopping

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• February 5, 2009
• Shop Talk

Want a Cocktail With That Cocktail Dress? Four New Spaces That Take Shopping To the Next Level

By Xiyin Tang

Yes, we too, are bummed that Topshop won't be boozing us up while we max out our credit card on incredibly cute tops and frocks. But fret not: We've found 4 brand-spankin'-new spaces that combine shopping with other perks, like cocktails with your suits, coffee with your denim, and even a haircut to go with your newly-purchased couture. That's right, folks. Forge ahead for the shops that are bringing you the best from all worlds.



Elsa/Against Nature: Not to be confused with newly-opened cocktail bar Ella, Elsa takes over the old Hanger Bar space (also, coincidentally, a place that sold clothing and booze) with made-to-order suits and strong and delicious cocktails. Get your Doyle Mueser blazer tailored while you sip an "Elsa," a champagne, brown sugar, and orange bitter concoction straight from the old Freemans cocktail consultant. Now that's some happy shopping. 217 E 3rd Street, New York; 917-882-7395. Or go to www.elsaroom.com.



The Smile: This cafe-and-clothing-store-in-1 is the brainchild of Earnest Sewn's Carlos Quirarte and Matt Kliegman. Set to soft-open (by invite only) next week on Bond Street, the restaurant-shop promises to leave no garment hanging (literally—everything will be folded) and will boast a yummy menu from Melia Marden. New York tattoo artist Scott Campbell is also setting up shop in the basement. Chest piece with that V-neck shirt you just bought? Hell, yes. 26 Bond Street, New York; no phone.

Collective Hardware: Stuart Braunstein's massive building on Bowery just dropped last year, and we're still kind of in awe by everything that goes on there. There are recording studios in the basement, a show room on the main floor chock full of one-of-a-kind designer goods, an art gallery with installations and photography, a hair salon and tattoo parlor, editing suites, sound booths…the list goes on. Talk about engaging all the senses. 169 Bowery, New York.

Partners & Spade
In the '60's, Claes Oldenburg opened up "The Store" in his New York studio and sold stockings, shirts, dresses, and pie for mere dollars a pop—but as art. This half-gallery, half-store kind of reminds us of that, because why else would water bottles and cigarettes be displayed high up like art objects, only reachable by ladder? Or a collection of vintage staplers laid out repetitively like parts of a Judd exhibition? When you're done being entertained by the pure senselessness and joy of the objects, you can walk away with a pack of two-dollar Altoids from the shelf labeled "Impulse Items," and feel like you're taking home art.
40 Great Jones Street, New York; 646-861-2827. Or go to www.partnersandspade.com/

Photos, clockwise from top left: The Smile; partners & spade, photo via The Scout; Collective Hardware, photo via Flickr; Elsa/Against Nature.

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