Our spotlight continues on Nolita, that vibrant “North of Little Italy” enclave The New York Times has praised for “mixing hip and historic.” Here, a free flow of fashionable, in-the-know crowds drift in and out of chic, one-of-a-kind boutiques; artfully upscale clothing and jewelry shops; vibrant home-design stores; hipster bars and cozy cafes; and hidden-gem restaurants.
The weekends brim with open-market excitement as street vendors strut their wares, offering unique hand-made jewelry and one-of-a-kind artwork. Nolita is a low-key cool marketing magnet attracting refined but adventurous locals and tourists from all around the world. The built-in foot traffic, and the boutique nooks, create the perfect kind of natural flow for a Pop Up space. Maybe that’s why we have three Pop Up rentals in the vicinity? Here are some additional beloved boutiques and eateries we love in Nolita.
1. Little Cupcake Bakeshop – 30 Prince Street
Source: @littlecupcakebakeshop
Even at the construction site for the Manhattan location, Little Cupcake Bakeshop, sweetly fanatical customers were asking about its iconic “Brooklyn Blackout Cake,” hailed by Food & Wine as the “Best Chocolate Cake in America.” Would it be served in The City? The answer is a resounding “yes.” The Little Cupcake Bakeshop specializes in small-batch, baked on-site goodies crafted from the freshest, locally-sourced, sustainable ingredients. LCB was first established in Brooklyn, NY in 2005, but has wasted no time in becoming a prime Nolita attraction.
The heavenly bakery quickly made themselves at home in Nolita and even saluted Little Italy with the signature “Mott Street” cupcake, LCB’s take on the Italian classic dessert tiramisu. Around here, happiness is in the air, and you won’t gain calories just breathing in the glory of LCB, but you will probably enjoy a free flow of satisfied LCB customers walking off a Brooklyn Blackout.
2. McNally Jackson Bookshop – 52 Prince Street
Source: @mcnallyjackson
Many hungering for knowledge, a latte, and a croissant descend on this indie bookshop mainstay. It’s a portal of discovery and low-pressure browsing for locals and tourists wandering around the neighborhood who want a place to lounge and a little snack. The curious clientele often spills over into adjacent retail, making the bookshop a nice retail appetizer before some serious shopping at your Pop Up located just minutes away.
3. Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral – 260–264 Mulberry Street between Prince and Houston Streets
Source: Google Maps
This jaw-dropping landmark of old-world New York was built between 1809 and 1815 and designed by Joseph-François Mangin in the Gothic Revival style. Liturgies are celebrated here in English, Spanish, and Chinese, but it’s a must-see for anyone interested in classic NYC architecture. Its underground mortuary was featured on the Secrets of New York episode, “Deep NY – How Low Can You Go in the Big Apple,” on NYC Media. Martin Scorsese also loves the majestic cathedral, and featured it in The Godfather, The Godfather Part III, and Mean Streets. Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral is a big-attraction hub for tourists, and locals as a hallowed place of worship with an intriguing history. It’s always buzzing with visitors who spill out over into neighboring shops and boutiques.
4. Café Habana – 17 Prince Street
Source: “Friends with Benefits” as documented by On the Set of New York
Source: @cafehabana
At the high-traffic corner of Elizabeth and Prince—near two of Parasol’s Pop Up locations—is the scene of some heavy Cuban-Mexican munching. Customers line up at this Nolita mainstay for its grilled corn, Cuban sandwiches, cócteles, and other well-priced savory treats. Its festive vibe, critically-acclaimed cuisine, and affordable prices attract patrons from all walks of life—the perfect cross-section of clientele for a Pop Up.
Pop into Nolita via the Little Favorite (251 Elizabeth St.), Broome St., and The Petite White Box (173 Elizabeth St.). Welcome an affluent and artistically-inclined demographic into your Pop Up.