The Lower East Side is Tops Again

Daily News
Thursday, December 18, 2003
 

Old New York neighborhoods have an amazing way of reinventing themselves. Just look at the Lower East Side. This historic area, so welcoming to immigrants and merchants a century ago, is today a world-class place to live, dine and shop.

The Lower East Side Business Improvement District (BID) promotes local businesses and keeps its streets clean and safe. Most of the BID's 400 members are clustered around Orchard Street between Houston and Canal streets.

"The Lower East Side is an incredible Manhattan success story," says Jennifer Houlihan, the BID's marketing director. "It has blossomed without taking on that mall feeling. Legends like Katz's Deli, Economy Candy, Russ & Daughters and the Essex St. Market are thriving. They have been joined by great new one-of-a-kind places, nightclubs like Lansky Lounge and Arlene Grocery and restaurants such as Café and Basso Est. And the teany tea parlor is so cool - it's owned by Moby."

Orchard Street has fantastic deals on designer clothes, accessories, lingerie, linens, fur and leather. And new fashion boutiques have popularized the edgy, individual Lower East Side look.

Come to the Lower East Side for your last-minute holiday food and gift shopping. Its divers stores will satisfy the pickiest New York tastes, and its world-famous noshes are incomparable. The BID offers a free parking lot on Broome Street between Norfolk and Grand streets.

The Lower East Side BID has extended a shopping offer you can't refuse. The GO EAST! Shopping & Dining Discount Card offers discounts and promotions at 100 of the Lower East Side's hippest emporia and eateries.

Pick up your GO EAST! Card from 10am to 4pm every day at the Lower East Side Visitors Center, 261 Broome St. between Allen and Orchard streets. Or order a GO EAST! Card at www.LowerEastSideNY.com. Call (212) 226-9010 for more information.

Urban Chic

Lower East Side style is unmistakable: It's artistic, urban and definitely different. In addition to the long-standing deals on Orchard Street, "The Lower East Side has emerged as downtown fashion's incubator," says Jennifer Houlihan of the Lower East Side Business Improvement District (BID).
Check out:
• The Alife store for vintage sneakers.
• Johnson, where Kim Johnson offers feminine tomboy chic.
• At DDC Lab, your can catch Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt trying on jeans.
• Forward, a fashion collective and store sponsored by the BID. Up-and-coming talents Jemima Jackman, khary Septh and Christina Caruso were discovered at Forward.