The Spot: Upper Playground

photo by Joe Benjamin

Upper Playground is a cool shop with several locations around the U.S. one being in NYC. It has art prints, clothes, skate gear, some household items and just a bunch of things you can put art on. It features artwork and designs from some great artists and a good spot for some urban lowbrow gear.

Check out their website at www.upperplayground.com. If you want to stop by their NYC shop it is located at 437 E. 9th St.

- Sonic

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It's Better Handmade: Etsy.com

photo by Stella Loela on Flickr

Whether you are bored of shopping in the same stores or just looking for something different, Etsy.com is the answer. Etsy is a website where you can buy and sell anything handmade. Artwork, jewelry, clothes, pottery, toys, whatever it is, if it's handmade it's at Etsy. There is so much cool stuff on this site you can window shop (browser shop??) for hours, but you'll probably find that one of a kind item you are looking for.

Support your fellow makers of things! Go to Etsy.

+ Etsy Company Profile [Crunch Base]

- Sonic

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Featured Store: HBO

photo by lang_inprint on Flickr

Hey, you know what everyone loves? HBO.

Seriously, we all love HBO, and we all know they make the best programming on television ever. Of course, maybe I should say we. I actually work for HBO, so this could be construed as me being a bit of a homer, but I just figured I’d give us a shout out here.

If you’re in New York City, we have a pretty sweet shop for all things HBO. Did you want a Cleaver hat or mug, like Christopher gave everyone on The Sopranos? Maybe Carrie’s necklaces from Sex & The City? How about Jemaine’s awesome poster for Flight Of The Conchords? Or crazy director Billy Walsh’s “Suits Suck” t-shirt from Entourage? You can find all the coolest swag from all the coolest shows there, so come on down to the Shop at HBO!

+ The HBO store is located on 6th ave, between 42nd and 43rd streets in NYC.

+ Shop HBO [Official Online Store]

- Goodchild

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Consumer Monument: Mitsuwa Marketplace

Shopping Isle - photo by Ishkibibble Fish on Flickr

Mitsuwa Marketplace is a real taste of Japan right outside the Lincoln Tunnel in Edgewater New Jersey and it definitely puts the super back in supermarket (yeah, I said it). It has everything you will find in a regular grocery store plus a whole lot of Japanese stuff you won't find anywhere else. From Kobe beef to beer and sake, this place has it all.

Food Court - photo by roboppy on Flickr

My favorite part of Mitsuwa is the food court. It has a wide selection of authentic Japanese eats and each dish is beautifully displayed so you won't have to ask what it is. Food display is an art form in Japan and it's pretty amazing how real they make everything look.

The Food Display - photo by wmliu on Flickr

Outside of the supermarket you will also find a bookstore, toystore and a pottery store where you can buy tea pots, plates and other items. Honestly there are so many things here to see and buy and say "what the fuck is that?" to, my crappy writing won't be able to describe all of it coherently. Just trust me if you like or have any interest in Japanese culture, go here and explore.

+ Mitsuwa Marketplace is located at 595 River Rd. in Edgewater, New Jersey

[official website]
Mitsuwa Marketplace [Yelp Reviews]

- Sonic

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