To the Markets!
Some may consider Chelsea Market one of New York City's hidden jewels, and for good reason. Located in West Chelsea, at 75 Nineth Avenue, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth Streets, the former biscuit factory (as in New York Biscuit Company of the late 1800) is not quite in the middle of main tourists attractions. Yet, it's worth a special trip and visit.Â
The market is a conglomerate of gourmet stores, flower shops and arts and crafts boutiques located in an industrial style tunnel-like interior decorated with stone tables and chairs, fountains and 'medieval' style torches (towards the Tenth Ave exit). Shops like L'Arte Del Gelato and Fat Witch Bakery, and restaurants like Buddakan give "shopping" and "going to the market" a fresh, new perspective. Â
Entering Chelsea Market from Fifteenth Street (on Nineth Ave) the first shop worth your attention may be the flower shop--for its flowers and plants and also for its cat(s). There's always one domesticated feline around, either walking around the flowerbeds and pots or just stretching and taking catnaps, all that while attracting potential customers. So, to find out "How much is the cat in the (flower shop) window?" step inside, you may be surprised. And, no, the cat is not for sale.Â
Other "attractions" include the bakery store, offering some of the most delicious gourmet breads and pastries and also one of the best (and also tough to find) walnut breads in the city; the fish store with its own live fish water pool, taking "fresh food" to new dimensions. Sometimes dance instructors offer free peek-preview classes, equipped with all the necessary costumes and music. On Halloween, the arts and crafts stores display their artistically crafted and painted, illuminated pumpkins-a must-see show in itself.
