Books/CDs

Strand Book Store: Sells a huge assortment of half-price used books, and new books at discounted prices. 828 Broadway at 12th St (Subway: 4, 5, 6, N, R, L to 14th St/Union Square).

Barnes & Noble: Granted, B&N stores are everywhere, but stores in NYC where you can hang out and read the magazines/books for as long as you want, hassle-free, aren't. While you're there, if you have to use the bathroom, that's no problem as well, so this makes B&N a good pit-stop. There are over 10 locations throughout the city. The main store: 105 Fifth Ave at 18th St. (Subway: N, R, F, Q to 23rd St); another two that are pretty big: 675 Sixth Ave at 22nd St (Subway: same) & 4 Astor Place at Broadway and Lafayette St (Subway: 6 to Astor Place; N, R to 8th St).

Soho Books: Sells new and used books at discounted prices. Some of the new books are very cheap (3 for $5). Although they have a fairly good selection, it's hit-or-miss. Three locations: 351 West Broadway between Broome and Grand Sts (Subway: 6 to Spring St); 350 Bleecker St between W 10th and Charles Sts (Subway: 1, 2, 3, 9 to 14th St; L to 6th Ave) and 80 Nassau St between John and Fulton Sts (Subway: J, M, Z, 2, 3, 4, 5 to Fulton St; A, C to Broadway/Nassau St).

Tower Records-Video-Books Clearance Outlet: Merchandise from Tower Records sold at discounted prices. A decent-sized selection (although not nearly as big as the regular-priced store) of CDs, cassettes, books, videos and some clothing. It's worth checking out if you're going to the original store, which is right around the corner. 2 E 4th St at Lafayette St (Subway: 6 to Astor Place or Bleecker St; N, R to 8th St).

Art Supplies

Pearl Paint: The best art supply store in the city, in my humble opinion. An incredibly extensive selection of every art-related supply (if it exists, Pearl Paint's got it), sold at discounted prices. Six floors. If you're feeling too lazy to walk up the stairs, there's an elevator at the back of the store (and a bathroom, too). 308 Canal St between Broadway and Church Sts (Subway: 1, 9, 6, A, C, E, N, R to Canal St).

Kate's Paperie: A great selection of beautiful and often exquisite paper-related goods. Papers range from traditional stationery (like Crain's, and stationery sold by the pound) to letter press cards to unusual handmade wrapping papers. Kate's also sells photo albums, journals, fancy ribbons, art supplies, toys, books, beautiful containers, and everything needed to wrap and package a gift to make it really special. Kate's is a little to very pricey, but some things are so, so beautiful, it's worth the splurge. Three locations: 561 Broadway between Prince and Spring Sts (Subway: N, R to Prince St; 6 to Spring St); 1288 Third Ave at 73rd St (Subway: 6 to 77th St) and 8 W 13th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (Subway: L, N, R, 4, 5, 6 to 14th Street/Union Square; F, Q to 14th St).

Jam Paper and Envelope: An excellent variety of papers and matching envelopes, sold at very fair prices. (Jam has more variety than Staples, which is in a similar price range.) This is a great store to buy the paper needed to make stationery from your computer - they have a great selection of papers that will run through a printer. Many different sizes available, as well as matching folders; and papers of varying textures, weights, and colors are sold here. Two locations: 611 Avenue of the Americas between 17th and 18th Sts (Subway: F, Q to 14th St; L to Sixth Ave) and 113 Third Ave between 13th and 14th Sts (Subway: 4, 5, 6, N, R, L to 14th St/Union Square).

M & J Trimming: Trimmings galore! Wall-to-wall, amazing selection of every kind of ribbon, tassels, edging, piping, braiding, elastic, appliqués, studs, etc. A great resource for those who sew or decorate. 1008 Sixth Ave between 37th and 38th Sts (Subway: B, D, F, N, R, Q to 34th St).

Clothing

Daffy's: Daffy's sells discounted clothes, shoes and accessories for women, men and children. There are definitely some good buys to be had in this "chain" of stores. There are four Daffy's in NYC, all carrying basically the same merchandise. Herald Square location: 1311 Broadway at 34th St (Subway: B, D, F, N, R, Q to 34th St). A quite snazzy one is located at 111 Fifth Ave at 18th St (Subway: N, R to 23rd St or 14th St/Union Square; L, 4, 5, 6 to 14th St). Another good one is at 125 E 57th St between Lexington and Park Aves (Subway: 4, 5, 6 to 59th St; N, R to Lex Ave). There is a smaller, cramped one at 335 Madison Ave at 44th St (Subway: 4, 5, 6, 7, S to 42nd St/Grand Central).

Century 21: NYC's classic, designer discount store. Carries designer items at cheaper prices (although often not especially "cheap"). A friend of mine visiting from Europe went there for the first time, and spent $1000! I head directly for the sale room (on the floor with the women's clothes, near the customer service department), where even I can find something I consider to be a bargain. 22 Cortlandt St between Broadway and Church St (Subway: A, C, 1, 2, 3, 9 to Chambers St).

Paragon Sporting Goods: A great selection of everything sports-related. Whether you're looking for workout clothes, rollerblading gear, hiking equipment or a bathing suit, you'll find it at Paragon. Two floors good quality merchandise, moderately priced. 867 Broadway at 18th St (Subway: 4, 5, 6, N, R, L to 14th St/Union Square).

Groceries

Fairway: A fantastic selection of groceries, gourmet and prepared foods, and baked goods at reasonable prices. Fairway has an upstairs floor devoted entirely to natural foods & products, including vitamins, organic produce, bulk items in bins, and groceries. Also upstairs is a natural foods juice bar/café. 2127 Broadway at 74th St (Subway: 1, 2, 3, 9 to 72nd St).

Zabar's: Another great gourmet food store. Has an especially good cheese section, and a noteworthy housewares section on the second floor. Zabar's is a NYC institution. 2245 Broadway at 80th St (Subway: 1, 9 to 79th St).

Likitsakos Market: A Greek marketplace. Has an extensive selection of prepared foods, including many different kinds of dips (there's usually a sample tray out of approx. ten dips), and other specialties, and a sizeable take-out section, including unusual soups (like "mixed fruit" - it's good!), entrees, salads, sauces, desserts - all at reasonable prices. Also has nice produce and cheese sections. 1174 Lexington Ave between 80th and 81st Sts (Subway: 6 to 77th St).

Gifts & Misc.

Pearl River Mart: A large Chinese mall. Two huge floors of assorted Asian products, including clothing, groceries, housewares, ceramics, stationery, etc. When browsing through Pearl River, you can forget you're in New York! 227 Canal St at Broadway (Subway: A, C, E, J, M, Z, N, R, 6 to Canal St).

ABC Carpet & Home: An impressive and expensive store. Even if you have no intention of buying a single thing, it's interesting just browsing through this fantastic place. Six vast floors, filled with gorgeously displayed accessories, gourmet foods, furniture, linens and bath items, fine antiques, and oriental carpets. 888 Broadway at 19th St (Subway: 4, 5, 6, N, R, L to 14th St/Union Square).

Enchanted Forest: A beautiful, charming toy store. There's an old-world feel to this store, because they don't sell a lot of licensed items - they're more into well-crafted items made by smaller companies. It's always a visual pleasure shopping in this gem-of-a store. 85 Mercer St between Spring and Broome Sts (Subway: N, R to Prince St; 6 to Spring St).