Many visitors to my website want information on New York City Canal Street. Apparently its the fake purse and knock-off designer items, and shopping locations people are interested in. So, unfortunately, this is what this page is about. I've highlighted vendor locations in orange on my maps, and included photos.
Note that some of these people are camera-shy because what they are doing, or involved in, may be illegal.
For the everyday shopper, one will encounter three types of people offering handbags for sale.
The first type are those who sell t-shirts, souvenirs, generic handbags, and cheap perfume from a rented storefront. Merchandise can sometimes be knockoffs. If they are, they usually they don't want to advertise that fact because they can be raided by the city, and shut down.
The second type are the illegal street peddlers hawking knockoff sunglasses, handbags, and dvds out of shabby suitcases on the sidewalk. These guys always run away at the first sign of police as they are breaking several laws all at once (no vending license, blocking traffic on the sidewalk, and selling counterfeit merchandise.)
(click to enlarge) rkchin
26 July 2008 fake louis vuitton
(click to enlarge) robert k. chin
31 Aug 2008 handbag tout
(click to enlarge) robert k. chin
31 Aug 2008 handbag tout
(click to enlarge) rkchin
12 September 2009 handbag tout, and corner lookout man.
Then there are the touts who hang around street corners and subway entrances uttering 3-4 magic words to every passing woman, "Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Coach?" They show you pictures of the handbags they have, and if interested, you follow them to semi-secret locations to buy these so-called better quality fakes. Most of these people carry cellphones and are constantly looking back for police and private investigators.
I should also say that there are also many legitimate street vendors on the street (food vendors, general vendors, first amendment vendors, veterans). All these guys are regulated by the nyc department of consumer affairs, and possess a yellow vending license (blue-colored if they are disabled veterans). The rules for street vending are complicated, sometimes leading to disputes between vendors, but here's a handy illustration that simplifies the rules, as well as advocate better ones.
(click to enlarge) robert k. chin
23 May 2009 crowded canal street. .
(click to enlarge) robert k. chin
27 Feb 08police raid. Most of this evidence is later destroyed, or donated to the needy.
(click to enlarge) robert k. chin
08 June 2007 cortlandt alley & canal
(click to enlarge) robert k. chin
17 Nov 2007 illegal street peddlers
Most souvenir and purse vendors on canal street open their store around 10am (9am for the really early birds) and close ~6-7pm, 7 days a week, rain or shine.
TriBeCa [Triangle Below Canal Street] is located south of Canal, and west of Broadway, with the best
restaurants—Nobu, Odeon, Chanterelle, Megu, Harrison, Bouley Bakery, etc.—centered around Franklin,
Hudson, and Greenwich Streets; and also south near Duane Street not shown on this map. Many high-end interior design, and accessory shops are also located in and around TriBeca.
SoHo [South of Houston Street] is located north of Canal Street, between Sixth Avenue, and Broadway.
Many art galleries, and high-end designer clothing stores are located in SoHo. One can also buy authentic Prada (575 Broadway), Kate Spade (454 Broome St), Coach (143 Prince St), Chanel (139 Spring St), and Louis Vuitton (116 Green St) at their boutiques.
Broadway is the main street for regular street clothing and fashion; everything from Old Navy to Bloomingdales.
Little Italy is north of Canal, with all the red sauce restaurants, and eateries centered on Mulberry, Hester, and Grand Streets. NoLiTa [North of Little Italy] features many small designer label boutiques, small cafes, and eateries.
Chinatown is a true working class neighborhood bustling with activity. Historic Chinatown with its many restaurants and souvenir shops are centered around Mott, Bayard, Pell and Mulberry Streets. Cheap haircuts are on Doyers St. The fish and fruit market is on Mott St between Grand and Hester, and also on Grand St near Chrystie St.
The Lower East Side is a large eclectic neighborhood located east of the Bowery. The Bowery below Houston St is practically all lighting, and restaurant supply stores. Orchard Street is home to discount clothing, suits, underwear, and small design labels. Most bars and nightlife are located around Ludlow, Rivington, and Stanton Sts.
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The Rough Guide New York City Map 1:16000
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