Whenever I'm in NY I have to come here. Salt Lamps Etc. is a small, unassuming store filled with the warm and inviting light of dozens of - you guessed it - salt lamps.
I happen to collect these things because they make awesome night lights (great for reading if others are asleep) and because they're just plain pretty. However, many people believe in the healing and purifying aspects of these things, and if that's your thing, cool. The women who run the store are very knowledgeable and can fill you in on all the different properties of the lamps.
Oh yes, the staff - the women who run this place are adorable. I mean, I just want to put them in my pocket. They're super nice, and always happy to take a moment out of their day to chat, whether it's about their products or real estate, or whatever. They're also very good - they insist you "try out" any lamp in which you are interested, meaning you get to close yourself in the bathroom to check out how each lamp glows in total darkness. And replacement bulbs are always free, I think.
They have a nice selection of magnetic jewelry, which again, I think is really pretty.
Oh, and if any of you have housemates of a fuzzy nature, I highly recommend picking up one of the organic catnip toys. My cats *still* love the one that I brought home two years ago. Usually these things lose potency after a few months, but my furballs still get all drank-too-much-Jolt-cola around it. The thing is actually kind of disgusting after years of my cats licking it and sitting on it and doing god knows what. But hey, it still works!
I always like supporting local stores, too. This is pretty much as Mom 'n Pop as you can get. read more