Best new indie shops: Best eclectic assortment

Find varied but carefully curated merch at these hodgepodge havens.

By Celia Shatzman Mon Apr 11 2011

Best new indie shops 2011

  • Everbrite Mercantile Company

    Everbrite Mercantile Company

  • Goody Gram animal-head shot glasses, $28 each, at Everbrite Mercantile Company

    Goody Gram animal-head shot glasses, $28 each, at Everbrite Mercantile Company

  • Iga-yaki Pottery Kamado San Donabe rice cooker, $165, at Everbrite Mercantile...

    Iga-yaki Pottery Kamado San Donabe rice cooker, $165, at Everbrite Mercantile Company

  • Top Hat

    Top Hat

  • Hand-carved wood cuckoo clocks, $370, at Top Hat

    Hand-carved wood cuckoo clocks, $370, at Top Hat

  • Assorted goods at Top Hat

    Assorted goods at Top Hat

Everbrite Mercantile Company

Everbrite Mercantile Company

Winner: Everbrite Mercantile Company
Ever since Mollie Dash opened the doors of the whimsical Everbrite Mercantile Company last October, she's been constantly expanding her array of knickknacks. Men's and women's graphic T-shirts by Paste ($34) mingle with vintage clothing, shoes, jewelry, purses and accessories. There's also a smattering of offbeat kitchenware: animal-head shot glasses by Goody Grams (each $28) fashioned from glass and cast pewter, as well as Iga-yaki Pottery's handmade Kamado-san donabe rice cooker ($165), which doubles as a stew pot. We're also fans of Brooklyn designer Emily Rothchild's adorable "pinky wings" ($145) rings, or Dash's own eponymous line of reconfigured jewelry ($75--$300). 351 Van Brunt St between Dikeman and Wolcott Sts, Red Hook, Brooklyn (718-522-6121, ebmerc.com). Mention TONY at checkout to receive 10 percent off through May 1.

Runner-up: Top Hat
Vintage pencils from Rome (five for $26) and the world's smallest functioning cuckoo clocks—hand-carved in Germany's Black Forest ($370)—embody the goods curated by Top Hat owner Nina Allen. Imported from all over Europe, Japan and Korea through Allen's Williamsburg wholesale company, the items found here are steeped in history. In fact, most of the companies Top Hat works with have been around for more than 100 years: Jewel-tone leather clutches, coin purses and wallets, all hand-painted with 24-karat gold ($42--$90), are sourced from the last of six traditional craftsmen families in Venice, while Losel ceramic tiles (starting at $24) from Germany are made using molds that date back to the 1600s. 245 Broome St between Ludlow and Orchard Sts (212-677-4240). Mention TONY at checkout to receive 10 percent off through May 1.

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