Walking Photo Tours and Street Photography Workshops in NYC
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Discover NYC – Your Guide to Indie Businesses

Discover the local, independent businesses that are the heart and soul of NYC in Shoot New York City’s guide to the best of indie New York!

Discover the real NYC in Shoot New York City’s Discover Guide

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of the businesses listed are temporarily or permanently closed. I do suggest that you verify if they are open before visiting them. With many of them, it is probably best to call them as they may not have had the opportunity to update the information on their website.

I love the independent businesses in New York, they are the heart and soul of the city! In this section you will find bookstores, cafés, restaurants, arts & crafts markets and more. This is an ongoing project to list the best of indie New York so visit often to discover the real New York City. Experience the hidden gems and places that New Yorkers frequent. For more information on many of NYC’s vibrant neighborhoods, have a read of my Neighborhood Guides. I am not compensated for writing these reviews and I'm only writing about the places that I like.

Sadly, far too many of these unique, independent businesses close every year. When I learn of one closing I will move it to the category Vanishing NYC. They may be gone but they’ll never be forgotten!

 

Housing Works Thrift Shop, Gramercy Park, Manhattan

Housing Works Thrift Shop is a real favorite of mine. I frequent this location in particular to donate goods and to shop. I've bought some fabulous clothing here and not expensive either. Housing Works is a great organization and when you donate or purchase goods from them it goes to their mission. Read below quotes about their mission. They have numerous locations which you can see on their website which I will post about in the future. And they also have a bookstore which I've already posted about.

"Housing Works is a healing community of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Our mission is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts."

"For over 25 years, Housing Works has addressed the needs of over 30,000 individuals that other organizations deem “too challenging” to serve. Based on a harm reduction framework, our programs are both holistic and empowering."

Housing Works Thrift Shop, 157 East 23rd Street at Third Avenue

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