Description: Located in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan, one of the coolest places to shop, especially for gourmet items of all kinds, is the Chelsea Market. Housed in a former food factory building, this market now takes up the bottom floor of a brick-walled, industrial space that looks like it is straight from the pages of a fine food magazine. Besides the shops, the upper floors are home to media companies like the Food Network, Oxygen, and publishing houses.
Weather its fine wines, rare meats and cheeses, fresh seafood, gourmet truffles, flowering herbs, exotic chocolates, or just a yummy cup of tea, this market is the place. Even if you don't need to buy anything, I highly recommend a visit just to walk through and see the space and offerings.
Find tasty selections from homemade gelato and artisan breads, to aged cheddar and fruity wines. There's a great Italian grocery, Buon Italia for all the Italophiles out there who crave treats like Parmigiano Reggiano or vats of olive oil. Grab a sandwich to go or sit on the small tables throughout the walkway enjoying a coffee or seafood bisque.
Not only does Chelsea Market offer shopping for foodies, but there's also a Salon, bookstore, and a Moroccan housewares shop. One might run into a sample sale from fine linens to designer clothes taking place in one of the empty shop areas - keep a watch on their website for listings. Currently there's an exhibition throughout the market of many amazing prints and posters by, Yee-Haw Industries (a Tennessee letterpress studio).
Seasonal festivities take place at the market as well, such as Halloween parties, and Christmas dances, and food shows. The interior always feels seasonal, as when we visited in October, pumpkins lined the walls and cobwebs hung from the ceilings.
• http://www.chelseamarket.com/
• 75 9th Avenue (Between 15th and 16th Streets)
• Metro stop: 14th St & 8th Ave (A, C, E, L)
• Open Monday - Saturday: 7am to 10pm, Sundays: 8am to 8pm
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