FUN IN NEW YORK

After a four year absence
I was very happy to get back to New York
for the Gift Show this last February.  I was going
for business but planned to squeeze in
some play time. I had my list of "must do's".
 I arrived late afternoon and hit the streets running.

I couldn't wait to get to EATALY

that I have heard so much about.  The goal

here is eat, shop, learn.  It is a supermarket

with restaurants offering quality in every category.

You can eat at one of their six restaurants

or choose some of the house

made delicacies to go. The choices

are endless.  The place is gorgeous, a

feast for the eye as well as the stomach.

My two favorite areas were the seafood counter

and the bakery where they had the most

amazing choices of breads, paninis

and pizzas.  Next time thats what I will

be coming for.

It was a beautiful night and I just walked

not really having a plan or destination.

                   That's one of the great things about

New York no matter where you head

there is something fun to see.

Next day after spending several hours

at the Pier for the first day of the show

I decided I needed another dose of

New York flavor.  I convinced my

good friend and fellow rep Lucha Bott to

join me.  I had seen a great program

on the THE HIGH LINE on 10th Avenue

between 14th and 30th, where they

have taken the old train tracks and

turned it into a wonderful walking park.

Being another beautiful day the place

was packed with people.

Along the route they have build

great benches, added greenery

and made it a wonderful place to be.

Some interesting art sculptures along the way.

Your up off of the street so the

view of the city is really a treat.

A totally different perspective of

New York.

As well as the many benches of brick and wood

they have a large selection of

FERMOB the French outdoor

furniture line I represent.  So Lucha

and I took a little break.

When this project started the neighbors

weren't that keen about it being so close

to the apartment buildings that set

up against it.  Now it is a totally different

story.  Some great new places have sprung

up and the area around it has been

rejuvenated with some great retail

stores and restaurants.

Speaking of retail stores are next stop

was ABC HOME.  Everyone coming

for the Gift show has to check out

this store.  They do a great job

of display and they have lots to

look at.  First stop was bed and

bath.  We loved the showing

of SCENTS AND FEEL.

POM POM AT HOME  had a nice

representation of there baby collection.

They don't do anything in a smal way at

this store.

But they also pay attention to detail.

Right across the street is a really fun

store called FISH'S EDDY selling

dishes and glassware. Husband and wife

owners are celebrating their 25th year of selling a

mix of vintage finds with fresh new designs.

It is utilitarian meets fun which also

aims to liberate the consumer from

the tyranny of matchy-matchy.

To get addresses of these places just

click the name and it will take you

to their web sites.  I can't wait

for August when I get to go back

for more fun in New York.

I get out of the taxi and it's probably the

only city which in reality looks better than

on the postcards, New York.

                                          Milos Forman