Walking Photo Tours and Street Photography Workshops in NYC
Discover-New-York-City.jpg

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!

 

Bluestocking Bookstore, Lower East Side, Manhattan

News - Bluestocking new location opened at some point. I just noticed that they have a very improved website and they are in their new location. Updated 9 August 2021 

“A bluestocking is an educated, intellectual woman, originally a member of the 18th-century Blue Stockings Society.” Bluestocking Bookstore, Cafe and Activist Center opened its doors in 1999 and has been home to all kinds of activism and hosts events on a regular basis. Their name taken from the history or herstory which dates back to the 18th century.

The bookstore “Bluestockings is a volunteer-powered and collectively-owned radical bookstore, fair trade cafe, and activist center,” with an emphasis on feminism, queer and gender studies, political theory and much more while providing a supportive and safe environment for everyone. They are open from 11am to 11pm everyday.

Bluestockings - 116 Suffolk St, New York, NY 10002 next to the Williamsburg Bridge

Bluestockings.jpg