Skip the Big Guys, Shop Here Instead

For last minute Christmas shopping, try these Upper West Side alternatives to the big box stores

While the city offers plenty of national brands for holiday shopping, there are also dozens of hidden gems nestled between the giant retail chains. We've found local, small business options for any last minute gifts.

Bookstores

-Westsider Rare and Used Books, Specializes in fiction, architecture and art books, children's books, graphic novels and comics at low prices, 2246 Broadway (btwn 80th and 81st), Mon-Sat: 10 am-11 pm, Sun: 10 am-9 pm, westsiderbooks.com

-Pomander Books, Specializes in rare and hard-to-find books, particularly poetry, 211 W. 92nd, call for appointments, pomanderbooks.com

-Anartist, Specializes in books on art, 109th St. and Amsterdam Ave, call or email for appointment, anartistbooks.com, (212) 662-4554

Toy Stores

-Hombom Toys, Specializes in quality, educational toys at mid-range prices, 412 Columbus Ave (btwn 77th and 78th), hombomtoys.com, (212) 362-1039

-West Side Kids, Wide variety of favorite toys for kids of all ages, 498 Amsterdam Ave at 84th, Mon-Sat: 10 am-7 pm, Sun: 11 am-6 pm, westsidekidsnyc.com, (212) 496-7282

-Area Kids, High-end clothing and toys, 451 Amsterdam Ave, Mon-Sun: 9:30 am-7:30 pm, areakids.com, (212) 595-3282

Jewelry Stores

-KTcollection, High quality jewelry at reasonable prices, 315 Columbus Ave, Mon-Fri: 11 am-7:30 pm, Sat: 10 am-7:30 pm, Sun: 11 am- 7 pm, ktcollection.com, (212) 253-2571

-Ernesto's Jewelry of NY, Specializing in jewelry and watch repair at reasonable prices, 2350 Broadway Ave, Mon-Sat: 10:30 am-7 pm, (212) 799-3422

-Verve, Specializing in jewelry and other accessories with gifts for everyone, 282 Columbus Ave, Mon-Sat: 11 am-8 pm, Sun: 12 pm-6 pm, vervenyc.com,(212) 580-7150

Home Goods

-Maxiga, Fun and cutesy gifts and home accessories for all, 2233 Broadway Ave, call for store hours, maxiga.com, (212) 362-3828

-La Terrine, Spacious store featuring a variety of home and kitchen goods at reasonable prices, 280 Columbus Ave, Mon-Sat: 10 am-5:30 pm, laterrinedirect.com, (212) 362-2122)

-Himalayan Crafts, Featuring fabrics, clothing, accessories, antiques and religious items, 2007 Broadway Ave (btwn 68th and 69th), call for store hours, himalayancraft.com, (212) 787-8500

Clothing

-Frank Stella Clothier, Specializes in men's clothing from dressy to outerwear, 440 Columbus Ave (btwn 81st and 82nd), Mon-Fri: 11 am-8 pm, Sat: 11 am-7 pm, Sun: 12 pm-6 pm, frankstellanyc.com, (212) 877-5566

-Adriano Goldschmied, High end men's and women's clothing as well as tailoring, 305 Columbus Ave, Mon-Sat: 11 am-7 pm, Sun: 12 pm-7 pm, agjeans.com, (212) 496-5692

-Steven Alan Outpost, Men's, women's and children's clothing, 465 Amsterdam Ave (btwn 82nd and 83rd), Mon-Sat: 11 am-7 pm, Sun: 11 am-6 pm, stevenalan.com, (212) 595-8451