Press the buzzer and gain admittance to one of the most unusual stores in the city. Alife Rivington Club celebrates the sneaker as a fashion icon. Their rare and unusual items are displayed in cubbyholes like works of art. Some of the noted clientele include the hottest names in Hollywood. Wearing these shoes won't make you famous, but don't tell your feet that.

A major supplier of restaurant goods and equipment throughout the city, they also sell their coveted cooking gear to home chefs. Be forewarned, the service is less than stellar. The flip side is that you get restaurant-caliber goods at below-retail prices.

A major supplier of restaurant goods and equipment throughout the city, they also sell their coveted cooking gear to home chefs. Be forewarned, the service is less than stellar. The flip side is that you get restaurant-caliber goods at below-retail prices.

This unassuming mainstay seems to have been around since Edison invented the light bulb. Absolutely jam-packed with modest-priced fixtures in every conceivable style and price point, the atmosphere feels more like a garage sale than a high-end design boutique. If you have the patience to wend your way around this labyrinth-like shop, your patience will be well rewarded and you will most definitely see the light.

A mecca for decorative hardware and plumbing fixtures, the staff here can guide you through their selection of faucets, tubs, sinks and other items. If there's one common complaint, however, it's the highly limited hours. They are only open until 5pm on weekdays and until 2:30pm on Saturdays.

Owned and operated by two sisters, this charming shop features a lovely backyard garden open in warmer months. Tucked inside you'll find some of the most daring and unique home accessories in the city, from pillows to placemats.

New York is forever full of surprises: Harris Levy is a case in point. This family-owned store has sat unobtrusively on this quiet stretch of the Lower East Side since 1894. Who would have thought they would stock luxury linens on par with the 600-thread count varieties purveyed on Madison Avenue? Not much to look at, but much to see.

Fabric, fabric and more fabric; in fact, there are three floors full of it. Harry Zarrin carries a huge line of home fabrics in all styles from traditional to contemporary. The staff is also extremely friendly and knows its stuff.

Simply the finest grade of leather in the Manhattan marketplace, these slightly funky European-style shoes are tailored and custom-crafted to fit your very lucky feet. That's what Jutta Neaumann is all about. With an excellent selection of materials, grains and stains, they also do belts, wallets and other leather accessories. But shoes are the main attraction.

Although the name suggests a snooty, high-end designer lighting shop, this place is actually anything but. Their items tend to be more functional than aesthetic in emphasis. The fact that they carry over 150 different lines means that you can nearly always find something that suits your requirements.

This small gallery is chock full of amazing pieces of glasswork. Anchin's items tend be colorful and lend themselves to a variety of different interior design schemes. All items are one of a kind.

Luxury bedding for those seeking something besides the big names. Nancy Koltes offers 600-thread-count bedding from Italy along with table linens and other home accessories. She also carries an extraordinary line of down comforters.

This is high-style lighting design on the Bowery. Featuring high-end, custom-made fixtures, their pieces are nearly a work of art. But they're also functional. With a knowledgeable and friendly staff, this is a wonderful place to get an unusual lamp, sconce or chandelier.

Paragon has been selling restaurant-grade cookware to businesses and individuals for over seventy-years. Jam-packed from top to bottom, the staff is not always that helpful. But if you have the time and patience, you are likely to get an unmatched deal on quality kitchen goods.

This place is a tribute to the new Lower East Side. It's not super cool, sleek or hip. In fact, it's cute to the max. The stuff is sweet. The staff is bubbly. The overall aesthetic is downright girly. If you like your baubles, trinkets and widgets with a heaping helping of fluff, this is it.

An old-timer in an age of rapid flux, this place features fashions that are slightly unusual but not too extreme. Offering a small selection of clothing lines like Karen Walker, Lauren Moffit and Mercy, they also carry bags and other accessories.