Self-guided shopping tours

She prides herself on her ability to guide New York shoppers to the city’s unique boutiques, but Natasha Malinsky, founder of ShopNYC Tours, also knows that some shoppers would prefer not to have her around.

That’s why she came up with the idea of the self-guided shopping tour, an e-mailed itinerary complete with map and directions, for those who want the insider take on New York shopping but would rather do the act solo.

“Many people want to take their own time shopping and don’t want to be stuck to a guided tour schedule,” Malinsky says.

Her self-guided shopping tours are either thematic (specialties include a Fashionista Fave tour, Unique Gifts tour and a Recessionista tour), or can be customized depending on what people want to buy. (Yes, she can get as narrow as just scarves.)

Purchase pre-designed tours online for US$14.95 and receive a pdf itinerary. Or, e-mail for a customized tour, which costs approximately US$99-US$199, depending on needs. An iPhone app is forthcoming.

View the full story: 6 Exclusively New York Shopping Experiences.

www.shop-nyctours.com

Self-guided shopping tours

She prides herself on her ability to guide New York shoppers to the city’s unique boutiques, but Natasha Malinsky, founder of ShopNYC Tours, also knows that some shoppers would prefer not to have her around.

That’s why she came up with the idea of the self-guided shopping tour, an e-mailed itinerary complete with map and directions, for those who want the insider take on New York shopping but would rather do the act solo.

“Many people want to take their own time shopping and don’t want to be stuck to a guided tour schedule,” Malinsky says.

Her self-guided shopping tours are either thematic (specialties include a Fashionista Fave tour, Unique Gifts tour and a Recessionista tour), or can be customized depending on what people want to buy. (Yes, she can get as narrow as just scarves.)

Purchase pre-designed tours online for US$14.95 and receive a pdf itinerary. Or, e-mail for a customized tour, which costs approximately US$99-US$199, depending on needs. An iPhone app is forthcoming.

View the full story: 6 Exclusively New York Shopping Experiences.

www.shop-nyctours.com

ShopNYC Tours is honored to be a 2011 Best of Manhattan recipient!  Take a look at the Official Press Release from the US Commerce Association below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ShopNYC Tours Receives 2011 Best of Manhattan Award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

NEW YORK, NY, December 8, 2011 — ShopNYC Tours has been selected for the 2011 Best of Manhattan Award in the Tours category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

Finding the best way or a new way to experience New York city in a day’s time can be a real challenge. In attempt to solve that obstacle, ShopNYC Tours and Out on the Water Sailing have teamed up to create an unparalleled, action-packed experience in one day! With our Sales & Sails day in New York, you will spend 1/2 a day with a top-notch shopping tour guide and the other half with a captain sailing around bustling New York Harbor aboard your privately chartered 22ft sloop, Wanderlust.

ShopNYC Tours provides unique, behind-the-scenes shopping and lifestyle experiences for a wide range of shoppers from the splurging fashionista to the frugal recessionista. On our shopping excursions, tourists and locals alike discover hidden gem boutiques with their very own style-savvy guide. Did we mention our shoppers receive exclusive discounts? And guys—don’t be shy—we cater to male shoppers too! With this exclusive Sails and Sales promotion, ShopNYC Tours will be offering an All-in-One Shopping Tour, complete with a mix of trendy chic boutiques, hip vintage boutiques, men’s fashion boutiques and a handful of SALES hotspots! On this tour, you’ll also enjoy strolling the streets of unique Manhattan neighborhoods including Soho, Nolita, Noho and Greenwich Village—where, after you shop til you drop—you’ll meet your group for lunch!

The program is designed for groups of 4 or 8 people. 1 Group of 4 will shop in the morning and sail in the afternoon and the other group of 4 will do the opposite. We will all meet for lunch in the West village and then continue on with our new adventure. Up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty and an insider scoop on the hottest NYC boutiques in one day—what else is there to accomplish in the city?

$1995 per group of 4 

Contact us for reservations or custom arrangements.

ShopNYC Tours has recently teamed up with Robyn at True Hospitality to offer special discounted room rates for our customers!  All the hotels that True Hospitality works with are chosen based on quality, comfort, style and value in each city that they add to their collection of hotels we represent. Robyn would love to help you with your next group, meeting or single reservation. Contact her at 347-561-5430 or via email at robyn@truehospitalityny.com.  Make sure you mention that you’re taking a tour with ShopNYC Tours to get extra special offers!

Check out just a few of the exciting celeb sightings that shoppers have spotted on our tours.  Just proves you don’t have to be a Gossip Girl to mingle with the elite!

Dicaprio was seen hanging with friends in the East Village clad in jeans, sneaks and a backwards baseball cap during the Vintage Boutique Tour while singer Sheryl Crow was spotted grabbing a latte at Starbucks in Soho during a Customized Mother/Daughter Shopping Tour.  Gaga, spotted during our Teen Fashion Tour, was bargain shopping at Necessary Clothing in Noho.  After all, every Lady needs to watch her pennies!

What the black hackney carriage is to London, the yellow and checked taxicab is to New York City. Licensed by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, the 13,237 cabs rolling around the city are the only public transport vehicles permitted to stop and pick up passengers in response to a street hail. In honour of this modern icon, we take a look at the history of the New York taxicab.

In July 1897, the Electric Carriage and Wagon Company began running 12 electric cabs round the city. By the following year, it operated 62 cars, before its rebirth as the more modern-sounding Electric Vehicle Company. In 1899, the firm had 100 taxicabs running.

On May 20^th that same year, the USA’s first ever speeding ticket was issued to one Jacob German, driving one of the Electric Vehicle Company’s taxicabs. Another national first occurred on 13 September, when Henry Bliss became the first victim of an auto accident, after being hit by a taxi. By the dawn of the next century, there were a thousand electric taxis on the city streets.

Following the financial crisis known as the Panic of 1907, and the loss of a huge portion of its fleet in a devastating fire, the Electric Vehicle Company collapsed. After such huge progress had been made, New York City was back to the horse and carriage. This was an expensive way to get around. Legend has it that, in 1907, Harry N Allen couldn’t believe the extravagant cost of a 0.75 mile journey, and decided to start a taxicab service that charged by the mile. He imported 65 gasoline-powered cars from France, and so began the New York Taxicab Company. Originally red and green, Allen repainted them all yellow so that they could be seen (and hailed) from a distance. In just a year, Allen had over 700 cabs in his fleet. The fare was 50 cents a mile – about a tenth of the cost paid by Allen on his mythical horse and carriage journey, but still well beyond the budget of most New Yorkers.

By the roaring twenties, industrialists began to recognize the huge potential of the taxicab market, with General Motors and the Ford Motor Company among those joining the ranks (ha!) of the New York Taxicab Company. The most successful of these new companies was the Checkered Cab Manufacturing Company, which produced the instantly recognizable, and hugely popular yellow and black taxis which became an integral part of 20^th Century New York.

Following the depression, there was a glut of drivers on the market, and no passengers to fill the cabs. As a way of regulating the licensing, New York City brought in the medallion system, which is still in operation today. Around 29% of all taxis are owner-operated, with the rest leased by fleets.

The yellow taxicab is one of the many little bonuses you get when visiting New York which, along with hot dog stands and steaming vents, make you feel as though you are in a movie. To see for yourself, check out the Flight Centre website, where you’ll find flights to New York.

ShopNYC Tours has been taking their clients to The Market NYC in Nolita for the past year, which ALWAYS provides one of the most amazing experiences for unique finds (some of which can’t be purchased anywhere else in the world)!  And now, the Saturday and Sunday trips to the market will be even better!  We are happy to announce a special promotion with several of the FABULOUS designers at The Market NYC–who will now be offering 10% OFF to all ShopNYC Tours shoppers.  Take a look at some of those participating:

Don’t miss out! ShopNYC Tours is giving away tickets to 2 lucky winners to SIX–yes SIX fashion shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week! But we won’t give them away to just anybody. Write a short 250-word or less blog in the comment space below (or at shopnyctours.blogspot.com) about why YOU should be the one to attend Fashion Week. Describe your inner fashionista! Tell us where you’re from, what you do for a living, who your favorite designers are and why, and where you like to shop in NYC. Be sure to send your name (the same one used in your post) and e-mail address to info@shop-nyctours.com so we can contact you if you’re chosen. Shows will be this Sunday, September 12th and Tuesday the 14th. Giveaway ends at 5pm EST on Friday,September 10th (before you head to Fashion’s Night Out) so act quickly! May the best FASHIONISTA win!!!!!

Last week’s Teen/Recessionista Shopping Tour skipped all the showy flagships and headed straight for the bargains!  From their hotel, the towncar took us straight downtown to Noho where we stopped at Necessary Clothing.  The teen found a super cute pair of gladiator sandals for just $19.99.

Next door, at Joyce Leslie, she found a lot of really cute tops and tanks while her mom browsed some of their jackets.  I figured it would be a fun addition to head over to the Juno New York Sample Sale since the mom admitted to being the shoe addict when we drove through the shoe district. I also knew that the teen was looking for some black flats and they have a huge selection of them.  The stop was a success!  Not only did the teen find her black flats, but she found a cute leather bracelet as well.

Our next destination was TopShop and the ladies were super excited after I showed the a short video about the store.  The teen was a huge fan of Urban Outfitters so I knew she’d love TopShop too.  We definitely spent the most time here.  How could we not with the three levels of endless clothing, shoes and accessories!  The teen tried on a few things while the mom found some cute clutches for just $5.

After TopShop we headed over to the West Village to the Marc Jacobs Special Items store.  The teen found a cute, hawaiian-print MJ tote and a few souvenirs for her friends at home.

As we headed back to their hotel, they enjoyed their yummy Magnolia Bakery cupcakes.

The other combo shopping tour we had last week was for a mother and daughter from the UK.  They wanted to visit some chic boutiques along with some vintage boutiques.  They were such lovely ladies.

We began the tour near Union Square and headed south on University Place where we headed to Jodi Arnold NYC and Pia.  Following, we headed over to the shoe district where they visited some of the best shoe stores in the city along with Monk Vintage, where they enjoyed browsing the unique pieces.

From here, we headed past Washington Square Park and I told them a little bit about the historical MacDougal Street.  We stopped at Cover Up and the daughter bought a cute headband that was also very practical in that, it was knitted and covered her ears.

Moving on, we walked over to Thompson Street, where I took them to Purdy Girl, where the mother found a beautiful necklace (all their jewelry was half off) and then to Stella Dallas, where the daughter found a pair of vintage shoes she absolutely loved.  I told them that we had to visit both Purdy Girl stores, so we walked to the LaGuardia Place shop next, and we also visited Helianthus, which was just a few steps away.

At this point, I figured we should go to Soho, where they could find some more mainstream contemporary fashion at New York Look.  The daughter was looking for a trench coat and I knew they’d have a good selection.  She actually ended up loving a few of their spring handbags.

We were running on schedule for once, so I suggested we go to the Meatpacking District.  The daughter had asked about ScoopNYC and I knew that their best stores are located on Washington Street.  On the way, we made a quick stop at Chelsea Girl Couture where I told them they could find the famous Moon Bags by Patricia Smith along with some dead stock Diane Von Furstenberg.

We hopped on the subway up to the Meatpacking District next, and made a stop at Darling.  The mother sat for a little, while the daughter tried on a few of their gorgeous, colorful silk dresses.  From here we walked (it was a beautiful day) by Elizabeth Charles and Tracy Reese up to Gansevoort Street.  Since the ladies were Carrie Bradshaw advocates, I mentioned Christian Lou Boutin and they wanted to take a quick peak inside.

Finally, we made it to ScoopNYC (they visited Scoop and Scoop Street) and I pointed out that the Diane Von Furstenberg flagship store was across the street.  This was where the daughter found an adorable dress.

From here, I escorted them back to the subway and pointed them to their hotel.

If you’d like to take a customized combo shopping tour, visit our website for more information at www.shop-nyctours.com/guidedtours.  We look forward to shopping with you!