The New York City Traveler

One of my all-time favorite stores in Manhattan has to be Pearl River Mart.  All of the silk robes and lacquerware remind me of my trips to Hong Kong and the endless rows of shopping finds at Stanley Market.

Pearl River Mart was founded by Chinese immigrants over thirty years ago and was branded the first Chinese-American department store.  It was popularized as a second-floor store on Canal Street in the heart of Chinatown.  My first trip to the original Pearl River Mart was very memorable.  There were plates and bowls stacked from the floor to the ceiling, boxes of shoes and clothing, and bolts of beautiful Chinese silk, in the corner, leaning against the wall.  Despite the store location and merchandising missteps, Pearl River was became a very popular shopping spot for New York City residents and visitors alike. 

A few years ago, Pearl River Mart decided to go “upscale” and moved to its new “Armani-Ex-esque” location in Soho.  The new location in Soho is everything the old one wasn’t:  trendy and organized.  During my first visit there a few years ago, I found it difficult to believe that it was the same merchandise!  I wasn’t quite sure what to do with myself now that I didn’t have to dig through stacks of kimonos.  I have to admit that I was slightly disappointed; it didn’t feel like it was that good of a bargain anymore.  But time has softened me and I once again stop by Pearl River anytime I am in Soho with a few minutes to spare and always end up leaving with something. 

You don’t have to trek to Soho to visit the first Chinese-American department store.  Pearl River has a great website that sells everything from window shades to Chinese New Year decorations.    

Location:  477 Broadway, map, 212-431-4770

Subway:  R, W to Prince Street; 6 to Spring Street

Hours:  Daily from 10am-7:20pm (including weekends and holidays)

Bonus:  Pearl River Mart has a great collection of affordable New York City guidebooks and maps.

Photo credits from top to bottom:  Me shoe “shopping” outside of the original Pearl River Mart, personal collection; The new Pearl River Mart, personal collection.

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