Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market is a multi-store building located in Manhattan, at 15th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues (75 9th Ave.). It was built in the Ninetieth Century, which makes it very old by New York standards. It first served as a bakery. Currently it’s one of the most fashionable places in New York and an absolute must-see.
When I first visited the place with my friend Mariusz, I was disappointed. In fact, we both were. We expected several floors filled with boutiques and interesting stores, which is why – after exploring the ground floor – we took the elevator up, hoping for more attractions. What we reached weren’t further shops, but instead the headquarters of the TV station NY1. Laughing at our own cunning, we took the first elevator back. Nowadays, though, I visit the place with pleasure and I’m perfectly satisfied with what the ground floor has to offer.
The exceptional nature of Chelsea Market, apart from its interior, is that it serves both as a shopping center and a place to get something to eat (to stay or to go). It’s a perfect space for gourmands. Among other establishments, you will find here The Amy’s Bread bakery (nothing of theirs has ever disappointed me, including coffee), The Lobster Place (which I still have to try), sushi, Thai cuisine and yummy chocolate chip cookies. Apart from the food, you will see work by young designers here, exhibited in a shared space (rented for a couple of months), as well as a bookstore and… a place to sharpen a blunt knife. You can hunt down some really interesting rariries here.
It’s a perfect place, especially on a cold day – you can have breakfast here, talk with friends, visit the boutiques, stay for lunch and then continue your Manhattan walk (next to Chelsea Market there’s an entrance to the High Line). To be inside there is pure pleasure.
Higher floors are occupied by offices and the afformentioned NY1 headquarters – recently some space has been also rented out to Google.
(Side note: You better use the restroom prior to visiting the place; the lines can be annoyingly long.)
