shopping unique to nyc
June 28, 2012 7:58 AM Subscribe
What are some NYC-centric chains?
which chain stores (large or small) are unique to new york city or the tri-state area? they can be anything from grocery stores to clothing stores, coffee shops, etc.
for example, duane reade, citarella, lenny's, etc.
which chain stores (large or small) are unique to new york city or the tri-state area? they can be anything from grocery stores to clothing stores, coffee shops, etc.
for example, duane reade, citarella, lenny's, etc.
Fairway
posted by nathancaswell at 8:04 AM on June 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by nathancaswell at 8:04 AM on June 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
I think NYC is the only place in the US to have Uniqlo and Pret A Manger stores, although both are foreign chains so might not count?
posted by mippy at 8:04 AM on June 28, 2012
posted by mippy at 8:04 AM on June 28, 2012
We have Pret A Manger in DC.
I'd add Gray's Papaya and Duane Reade.
posted by downing street memo at 8:07 AM on June 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
I'd add Gray's Papaya and Duane Reade.
posted by downing street memo at 8:07 AM on June 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
Blerg, meant Papaya King.
posted by downing street memo at 8:08 AM on June 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by downing street memo at 8:08 AM on June 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
2 Bros Pizza
posted by TWinbrook8 at 8:10 AM on June 28, 2012
posted by TWinbrook8 at 8:10 AM on June 28, 2012
Connecticut Muffin, which despite the name has most of its locations in Brooklyn. (And one in New Canaan, CT.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:11 AM on June 28, 2012
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:11 AM on June 28, 2012
Kati Roll Company has one location in London apparently, but all others are in NYC
posted by nathancaswell at 8:15 AM on June 28, 2012
posted by nathancaswell at 8:15 AM on June 28, 2012
P.C Richard and Son electronics...though I think they just branched out into CT.
posted by Captain_Science at 8:15 AM on June 28, 2012
posted by Captain_Science at 8:15 AM on June 28, 2012
Best answer: New York Sports Club (gym)
Parrot Coffee (imported foods store, not just coffee)
Andrew's Coffee Shops (diners)
Moonstruck diners
The Palm (steakhouse, based in NYC with 2 locations here)
posted by ThisIsNotMe at 8:21 AM on June 28, 2012
Parrot Coffee (imported foods store, not just coffee)
Andrew's Coffee Shops (diners)
Moonstruck diners
The Palm (steakhouse, based in NYC with 2 locations here)
posted by ThisIsNotMe at 8:21 AM on June 28, 2012
I have never lived in NYC, but Duane Reade jumped immediately to mind.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:22 AM on June 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Rock Steady at 8:22 AM on June 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Frank and Johnnies Steakhouse (two in Manhattan, one in the suburbs)
West Side Market
posted by ThisIsNotMe at 8:25 AM on June 28, 2012
West Side Market
posted by ThisIsNotMe at 8:25 AM on June 28, 2012
New York Sports Club (gym)
This is slightly suspect, there's a chain called "My Sports Club" which has the Boston Sports Club and Philadelphia Sports Club.
posted by bitdamaged at 8:32 AM on June 28, 2012
This is slightly suspect, there's a chain called "My Sports Club" which has the Boston Sports Club and Philadelphia Sports Club.
posted by bitdamaged at 8:32 AM on June 28, 2012
This is slightly suspect, there's a chain called "My Sports Club" which has the Boston Sports Club and Philadelphia Sports Club.
You quickly get into a problem though because e.g. Duane Reade is now owned by Walgreens.
posted by ThisIsNotMe at 8:34 AM on June 28, 2012
You quickly get into a problem though because e.g. Duane Reade is now owned by Walgreens.
posted by ThisIsNotMe at 8:34 AM on June 28, 2012
Oh, and Shake Shack has a Dubai location, in case your list is very strictly NYC/tri-state only.
posted by Grither at 8:35 AM on June 28, 2012
posted by Grither at 8:35 AM on June 28, 2012
Best answer: Century 21
Fairway
Duane Reade
Famous Rays Original Pizza (in all its permutations)
D'Ags
David Z
Citarella
Ricky's
posted by mkultra at 8:44 AM on June 28, 2012
Fairway
Duane Reade
Famous Rays Original Pizza (in all its permutations)
D'Ags
David Z
Citarella
Ricky's
posted by mkultra at 8:44 AM on June 28, 2012
Best answer: Here is a great NY Times article on Kennedy Fried Chicken
posted by DaveZ at 9:14 AM on June 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by DaveZ at 9:14 AM on June 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
Trade Fair is a Queens-only grocery store chain.
Porto Rico is a small local coffee store chain.
posted by wondermouse at 9:14 AM on June 28, 2012
Porto Rico is a small local coffee store chain.
posted by wondermouse at 9:14 AM on June 28, 2012
Nathan's is in mall food courts and highway rest stops in Massachusetts, so no longer a NY/tri-state phenomenon.
Fortunoff's is still tri-state only, yes?
posted by Sidhedevil at 9:15 AM on June 28, 2012
Fortunoff's is still tri-state only, yes?
posted by Sidhedevil at 9:15 AM on June 28, 2012
Best answer: J & R Music World, or whatever it's called now.
posted by Sidhedevil at 9:16 AM on June 28, 2012
posted by Sidhedevil at 9:16 AM on June 28, 2012
Best answer: Food Emporium is all NYC except for one outpost in New Canaan, CT.
posted by Sidhedevil at 9:18 AM on June 28, 2012
posted by Sidhedevil at 9:18 AM on June 28, 2012
Duane Reade. I know there are a few stores on Long Island but it's a very NYC chain. They're all over the place!
posted by lovelygirl at 9:32 AM on June 28, 2012
posted by lovelygirl at 9:32 AM on June 28, 2012
Lot-Less is NY area (with a couple of stores just across the river in Jersey).
(Duane Reade is in the question! Shake Shack and the Palm originated here but certainly have locations elsewhere.)
posted by mlle valentine at 9:55 AM on June 28, 2012
(Duane Reade is in the question! Shake Shack and the Palm originated here but certainly have locations elsewhere.)
posted by mlle valentine at 9:55 AM on June 28, 2012
Oh, that frozen yogurt, what the hell is it called? I'm sorry, this is awful. It's a similar name to "Crispy Creme" but obviously isn't that. They are ALL OVER THE PLACE in NYC. Maybe someone else will remember, if not I'll check back. This is important work. What is it for?
Also Rainbow on the Upper East Side (there are/were at least 2 prior to the 2nd avenue subway construction)
posted by supercoollady at 10:00 AM on June 28, 2012
Also Rainbow on the Upper East Side (there are/were at least 2 prior to the 2nd avenue subway construction)
posted by supercoollady at 10:00 AM on June 28, 2012
Oh, hello! In the Bronx, "Pretty Girl" clothes stores and "CeeCee Department stores". I'm sure there are MANY others.
posted by supercoollady at 10:01 AM on June 28, 2012
posted by supercoollady at 10:01 AM on June 28, 2012
Oh, thank god, someone told me. It's Tasti-d-lite! I've never seen that anywhere else, although to be fair I haven't actually been everywhere.
posted by supercoollady at 10:06 AM on June 28, 2012
posted by supercoollady at 10:06 AM on June 28, 2012
Tasti-D-Lite is in 13 states.
posted by decathecting at 10:18 AM on June 28, 2012
posted by decathecting at 10:18 AM on June 28, 2012
Dammit. Ah well, sorry! Apparently I REALLY haven't been everywhere.
posted by supercoollady at 10:19 AM on June 28, 2012
posted by supercoollady at 10:19 AM on June 28, 2012
There is a Papaya King location in Hollywood.
Also, Two Boots pizza has at least two locations in the LA area (downtown and Echo Park).
posted by dogwalker at 10:24 AM on June 28, 2012
Also, Two Boots pizza has at least two locations in the LA area (downtown and Echo Park).
posted by dogwalker at 10:24 AM on June 28, 2012
Bergen Bagel
posted by brand-gnu at 10:29 AM on June 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by brand-gnu at 10:29 AM on June 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
We have Pret A Manger in DC.
...and it's a British company, so no.
posted by Miko at 10:57 AM on June 28, 2012
...and it's a British company, so no.
posted by Miko at 10:57 AM on June 28, 2012
Shake Shack (not only tri-state but is centric)
Shake Shack is in DC, too.
Daffy's is in NY, NJ, and PA (is that the third of your tri-state?)
posted by bluefly at 11:05 AM on June 28, 2012
Shake Shack is in DC, too.
Daffy's is in NY, NJ, and PA (is that the third of your tri-state?)
posted by bluefly at 11:05 AM on June 28, 2012
They are down to one location now, but Jahn's ice cream parlors.
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:18 AM on June 28, 2012
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:18 AM on June 28, 2012
FWIW, Duane Reade is now owned by Walgreens.
posted by Sticherbeast at 12:30 PM on June 28, 2012
posted by Sticherbeast at 12:30 PM on June 28, 2012
Oh, I just read the article and saw that Golden Krust expanded. Nevermind.
posted by falameufilho at 12:55 PM on June 28, 2012
posted by falameufilho at 12:55 PM on June 28, 2012
Murray's Cheese -- except they're apparently also in some grocery stores not in NY now
posted by countrymod at 1:48 PM on June 28, 2012
posted by countrymod at 1:48 PM on June 28, 2012
Best answer: NYCPet - 7 locations in Brooklyn only.
La Bagel Delight - 5 Brooklyn locations.
I'm shocked to find that Uncle Louie G's Ice Cream has branches in Florida!
posted by moonmilk at 2:04 PM on June 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
La Bagel Delight - 5 Brooklyn locations.
I'm shocked to find that Uncle Louie G's Ice Cream has branches in Florida!
posted by moonmilk at 2:04 PM on June 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
Best answer: There are a handful of boutiques, stores, and restaurants in Brooklyn that have locations on both Smith Street and 5th Avenue, or 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue, or on all three streets. Which never fails to make me feel disoriented, in a deja-vu kind of way.
Then again, time was that Tacos Matamoros had two of its locations directly across the street from one another, in Sunset Park.
(Other things that are coming to mind: Beacon's Closet, Baluchi's (not a fan), Chickpea, Housing Works, The Bean, Joe the Art of Coffee, Xi'an Famous Foods, and Doughnut Plant. Then there are places like Uncle Louie G's, which have most of their locations in the city, but also have outposts elsewhere: Two Boots, C-Town, Fine Fare, etc.)
posted by evidenceofabsence at 2:22 PM on June 28, 2012
Then again, time was that Tacos Matamoros had two of its locations directly across the street from one another, in Sunset Park.
(Other things that are coming to mind: Beacon's Closet, Baluchi's (not a fan), Chickpea, Housing Works, The Bean, Joe the Art of Coffee, Xi'an Famous Foods, and Doughnut Plant. Then there are places like Uncle Louie G's, which have most of their locations in the city, but also have outposts elsewhere: Two Boots, C-Town, Fine Fare, etc.)
posted by evidenceofabsence at 2:22 PM on June 28, 2012
Burritoville was, then wasn't, and now appears to be an army of one.
posted by stagewhisper at 4:48 PM on June 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by stagewhisper at 4:48 PM on June 28, 2012 [1 favorite]
Best answer: also, Zaro's although they do have an outpost at Newark Penn station in addition to their NYC locations.
posted by stagewhisper at 4:54 PM on June 28, 2012
posted by stagewhisper at 4:54 PM on June 28, 2012
Mexican places: San Loco and Calexico are NYC-only, and it looks like Yummy Taco might be, too. Harry's and Benny's burritos has locations in Nyack and Larchmont, and Dos Caminos has locations in Atlantic City and Ft. Lauderdale. Who knew?
posted by evidenceofabsence at 5:43 PM on June 28, 2012
posted by evidenceofabsence at 5:43 PM on June 28, 2012
The mysterious and confusing Jimbo's Hamburger Palace and Original Jumbo Hamburgers Palace (one or two chains where everything is the same except the name) places in Upper Manhattan and the Bronx.
posted by plastic_animals at 6:40 PM on June 28, 2012
posted by plastic_animals at 6:40 PM on June 28, 2012
Best answer: OMG Jeans
Manhattan Eyeworks
Sapporo (noodle shop)
Century 21
Grand Sichuan
Halal Cart
Really, it just depends how loosely you define "chain". Lots of retailers have more than one location; even more have sibling locations run by other members of a proprietor's family.
posted by anildash at 9:00 PM on June 28, 2012
Manhattan Eyeworks
Sapporo (noodle shop)
Century 21
Grand Sichuan
Halal Cart
Really, it just depends how loosely you define "chain". Lots of retailers have more than one location; even more have sibling locations run by other members of a proprietor's family.
posted by anildash at 9:00 PM on June 28, 2012
Sol Moscot eye wear.
They just opened a third location in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn last month.
posted by droplet at 9:05 PM on June 28, 2012
They just opened a third location in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn last month.
posted by droplet at 9:05 PM on June 28, 2012
Stew Leonard's, a grocery store that specializes in hot/prepared foods, as well as stocking regular grocery items. There are none in NYC proper, but all four of the chain's stores are within the NYC Metro area.
posted by badgermushroomSNAKE at 11:51 PM on June 28, 2012
posted by badgermushroomSNAKE at 11:51 PM on June 28, 2012
Stew Leonard's has a store in Newington CT, which is just a few minutes drive from the statehouse in Hartford. Not exactly NYC Metro.
posted by pupdog at 6:35 AM on June 29, 2012
posted by pupdog at 6:35 AM on June 29, 2012
moonmilk: "I'm shocked to find that Uncle Louie G's Ice Cream has branches in Florida!"
Many parts of Florida are really just suburbs of NYC.
posted by mkultra at 8:23 AM on June 29, 2012 [2 favorites]
Many parts of Florida are really just suburbs of NYC.
posted by mkultra at 8:23 AM on June 29, 2012 [2 favorites]
evidenceofabsence: "San Loco and Calexico are NYC-only"
There's also a San Loco in Miami Beach, FL. Not sure if they are related though. Might be some sort of rivalry thing going on instead.
posted by Grither at 9:06 AM on June 29, 2012
There's also a San Loco in Miami Beach, FL. Not sure if they are related though. Might be some sort of rivalry thing going on instead.
posted by Grither at 9:06 AM on June 29, 2012
The San Loco in South Beach is indeed the same NYC-based chain.
posted by elizardbits at 10:35 AM on June 29, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by elizardbits at 10:35 AM on June 29, 2012 [1 favorite]
Blue Ribbon Restaurants? Not exactly a chain. More a brand.
posted by NotPayingAttention at 2:09 PM on June 29, 2012
posted by NotPayingAttention at 2:09 PM on June 29, 2012
There's also a San Loco in Miami Beach, FL.
Shoot. I hadn't noticed that on their website. Floridaaaaaa! (Waves fist in air.)
Maybe Dr. Jay's? I'm kind of surprised that, although almost all of its locations are in the city, Pretty Girl has individual outposts as far away as Chicago, Hotlanta, and Norfolk, VA.
posted by evidenceofabsence at 2:36 PM on June 29, 2012
Shoot. I hadn't noticed that on their website. Floridaaaaaa! (Waves fist in air.)
Maybe Dr. Jay's? I'm kind of surprised that, although almost all of its locations are in the city, Pretty Girl has individual outposts as far away as Chicago, Hotlanta, and Norfolk, VA.
posted by evidenceofabsence at 2:36 PM on June 29, 2012
Best answer: The Grey Dog Coffee, with locations in Chelsea, the Village, and Nolita.
posted by nicwolff at 9:21 PM on June 29, 2012
posted by nicwolff at 9:21 PM on June 29, 2012
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Two Boots Pizza
Baluchis
posted by nathancaswell at 8:03 AM on June 28, 2012