The shopping is salivating in the city, that is old news. What might be new news and good news, is the ability to actually shop and also save in the city: enter Canal Street.
Canal Street stretches across lower Manhattan touching Little Italy and Chinatown. Access to the street is easy and it is even close to SoHo and Tribeca. This street can take you all kind of places, but more importantly this is the street that offers the secret shopping NYC has a reputation for.
The part of Canal Street you want to find yourself on for bargains is nearby Chinatown. Canal Street in Chinatown is cluttered with what people have started calling the “grey market.” The grey market is notorious for counterfeit items for extremely low prices. Of course there is clothing, but most people bargain for the fake designer bags, Rolex watches, and perfume.
Other things you might barter for on Canal Street include DVDs, electronics and jewelry. Cash upfront is the only way to purchase anything you see on the streets, so keep that in mind.
Some of these goods are sold directly on the sidewalk while others are hidden in back rooms. Words for the wise: take caution when deciding to dabble in the dark alleys on Canal Street. These back rooms are subject to police raids and sometimes shady encounters.
The grey market is not the only thing Canal as to offer (although it’s the most intriguing). Canal Street also has regular street vendors, stores, and jewelry shops. The Chinese jewelry business happens to flourish near Canal and Chinatown.
So when you are done splurging on Fifth Avenue, check out Canal Street.