Shop The Season: Pink Cloud Gallery

Fashion Herald Intern, Craig, takes a break from 34th Street to visit The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park.

The key to my heart is animal shaped anything: cookies, sculptures, soaps, I could go on for hours. Luckily, Pink Cloud Gallery has fulfilled all my animal shaped dreams.

When walking up the path to the store, you're instantly greeted with a plethora of dog and cat shaped clocks. Because I was raised in the digital clock generation, I can't tell time on a clock but I will certainly learn for these.

How can you resist Pirate Kitty?

And for our Jewish brethren, we have Hanukah themed gifts! A Jewish dog and Star of David travel alarm clocks for your viewing pleasure.

But it's not just cats and dogs at Pink Cloud Gallery. There are also giraffes!

The shop has a fantastic assortment of drink coasters. We talked with the owner of the booth who told us that if there is a piece of art that you like from Pink Cloud, it can be put on anything in the store: clock, travel clock, coaster, or earrings.

Pink Cloud Gallery is great for a simple gift with a personal touch. You can definitely find something for everyone here.

Pink Cloud Gallery
Booth H10 on the NE corner of the park (map)

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park 
Official hours*
Monday – Friday: 11am – 8pm
Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm

*Look for special extended hours as Christmas approaches. Some shops may be open on Christmas Day.

Scenes from Thanksgiving Day in Bryant Park

Thanksgiving brought some unusual visitors down Sixth Avenue. We were lucky to have a great view of them, but think of birds-eye view they get of the park! In addition to the Macy's Parade, the day was filled with skating, shopping, eating, and smiles all around.

 

 

 

Last Call for Bryant Park Holiday Photo Contest

Tomorrow - Sunday, November 28 - is the last day to enter our Holiday Photo Contest on Flickr.

Visit this page and submit your photos for the chance to have your work posted on our homepage, bryantpark.org. 

To be eligible to win, your photos must be:

- Landscape oriented
- Minimum 1300 x 720 pixels (Ideal aspect ratio is 16:9. Larger photos will be cropped to 16:9 for the Bryant Park website)
- A winter or holiday themed photo of Bryant Park

A winner will be chosen next week. Good luck!

Shop Bryant Park

On this big shopping weekend, avoid the crowds and pick up some Bryant Park-inspired gifts from our online shop at shop.bryantpark.org. Aside from dodging deal-crazed Black Friday shoppers, you'll also be shopping for a good cause. The money from every purchase at the Bryant Park Shop is put right back into the maintenance of the park.

For kids, pick up the Bunny & Bear in Bryant Park Coloring Book, created specially for our shop in collaboration with Wee Gallery. Bunny and Bear take advantage of all the park has to offer, including a free game of ping pong, a trip to the Bryant Park Reading Room, a yoga lesson, and more.

Another adorable character, a spunky French Bulldog named Carlos, visits the park in Christmas Feet, a new holiday children's book from Maureen Sullivan and Alison Josephs. Known for their beautiful illustrations of New York City landmarks, the author/illustrator team captures the spirit of Bryant Park's winter season perfectly.

A Vintage Bryant Park Chair (or two) may be the perfect accessory for your home or garden, and in our custom shade of "Bryant Park Green", you won't find them anywhere else. And if you're looking to spice up your garden next year, we offer a selection of Annuals, Perennials, and Bulbs, inspired by the park's lush gardens and selected by our own Director of Horticulture, Maureen Hackett for the Bryant Park Shop.

Shop the Season: Kashmir Moon

BPC guest blogger, Barbara, shares one of her fabulous finds from The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park.

This makes the third year that one of my favorite vendors, Shujaat Kemma of Kashmir Moon, has had a store at The Holiday Shops. I continually get compliments on the hand-woven, beaded shawl that I bought from him last year. 

The shop sells hand-embroidered, one of a kind jackets and shawls, hand-knotted silk and wool rugs with cotton backing, and bed spreads, all handmade in Kashmir.

He told me that the craft of weaving knotted Persian carpet reached India and Kashmir during the 13th -14th century, and was treated as a royal craft. Rugs are woven flat without pile and are entirely covered with embroidered patterns of colored yarns.  "By-and-large," he said, "the color schemes are considered subtler than their Persian or Turkish counterparts."

Kashmir Moon also has a beautiful showroom of fine oriental carpets, hand-embroidered jackets, shawls, and bed spreads, located on the 8th floor of 1150 Avenue of the Americas.

Kashmir Moon
Booth L01 on the Upper Terrace (map)

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park 

Official hours*
Monday – Friday: 11am – 8pm
Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm

*Look for special extended hours as Christmas approaches. Some shops may be open on Thanksgiving and Christmas days.

Light Up the Season

Bryant Park Holiday Tree at home in Nyack, NY

Save the date: The annual Citi Pond^SM Tree Lighting Celebration is happening next Thursday, December 2 at 6pm in Bryant Park.

The celebration is free and open to the public, and will feature live music, celebrity guests, and incredible skating performances.

Make a night of it by taking a post-celebration spin on the city's only free admission ice skating rink, or have a meal at Celsius beneath the glow of the just-lit tree.

This year, the park's holiday centerpiece is a 50 foot Norway Spruce from Nyack, New York. It traveled across the Hudson River on Sunday night, and is being decorated with thousands of sparkly lights and ornaments during overnight shifts in the park.



Visit www.bryantpark.org or www.citipondatbryantpark.com for more information about the Tree Lighting Celebration as the date approaches.

Shop The Season: Once Upon A Christmas

Fashion Herald Intern, Craig, takes a break from 34th Street to visit The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park.
 
I am one of those Christmas people who must resist celebrating the onset of the holiday in October. I usually spend Halloween counting down the minutes until November 1st, and then blast Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You until my neighbors scream. Naturally this makes me a fan of all things involving Christmas ornaments.

Of the many Christmas ornament stores at the Holiday Shops, I felt drawn to Once Upon A Christmas because of the wide selection of ornaments.

I was immediately taken with the New York themed ornament section. Usually, I'm completely turned off by touristy things, but these are just too cute to pass up. As an aspiring Rockette (my gender and leg length have worked against me since birth), I am absolutely inspired by these ornaments:

A little deeper into the store and it's a cartoon wonderland of ornaments. I'm sure these are aimed for children but I lost it at the Spongebob section. How amazing are these?

If you're looking for something a little more timeless, there is a collection of Peanuts ornaments. I'm more of a Snoopy but you're welcome to help yourself to Linus, Lucy, and, of course, Charlie Brown.

Yet, the pièce de résistance for me is The Simpsons ornament selection! Although I haven't watched the show in a while, it will always be a part of my childhood. I'm tempted to buy every single Simpson ornament for my tree.

If you are against the commercialization of Christmas, there are plenty of ornaments that aren't adorned with cartoon characters and pop culture staples. The choice is yours. Enjoy!

Once Upon A Christmas

Booth C03 on the Fountain Terrace (map)

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park 

Official hours*
Monday – Friday: 11am – 8pm
Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm

*Look for special extended hours as Christmas approaches. Some shops may be open on Thanksgiving and Christmas days.

Thanksgiving Day Eats Near Bryant Park

There are just three days left before the 84th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade rolls down Sixth Avenue, past Bryant Park*

...but let's be honest, besides the parade, Thanksgiving is all about the food.

If you'll be in the park this Thursday, you won't go hungry. There are a ton of meal options, from fast to fancy, to choose from.

For a snack or meal on-the-go, try one of the food vendors at The Holiday Shops, like Daisy's Grits, Dumpling Soup House, Crepe Cafe, Max Brenner, Kettle Corn, and Big Apple Cider.

Or visit the 'wichcraft kiosks in the park and take advantage of the chilly weather to curl up next to the fire pit at The Southwest Porch with an order of s'mores.

Celsius, our rink side pop-up restaurant will be serving up its usual menu of soul warming spirits and comfort food classics, from 12pm to 10pm. The view of Pond skaters from the second story is spectacular, and outdoor heaters will keep you warm on the lower level.

Celsius at Bryant Park

At the southeast corner of the park, the Bryant Park Grill is hosting a special three course, pre fixe Thanksgiving meal. Call 212-840-6500 to make a reservation now, because the tables fill up fast. Seatings are from 12pm through 7:30pm, and you can check out the menu offerings on their website (vegetarians take note -- a veggie-friendly pumpkin risotto is included as a main course).

The shop at the Andaz Fifth Avenue (a new Bryant Park area boutique hotel, on 41st Street across from the New York Public Library) will be serving a three course, pre fixe meal, with a local twist: The shop's menu is sourced entirely from New York state farmers and food producers. It will be open from 12pm to 9pm on Thanksgiving Day. Call 212-601-1234 for reservations and menu details.

*  Citi Pond^SM will operate on regular hours this Thursday, but access to the park will be limited from the Sixth Avenue side until around 1pm, because of the parade. Before 1pm, you will only be able to enter the park from 42nd or 40th Street.

Please note that there are no public viewing areas for the parade on Sixth Avenue between 42nd and 40th Street. For the parade route map and information on public viewing areas, visit the official parade website.

Enter the Bryant Park Holiday Photo Contest on Flickr

Photography buffs take note: we're on the hunt for an idyllic winter photograph of Bryant Park for our company holiday cards, and want to give you prime photo space on our www.bryantpark.org homepage in return!

So, have you taken a picture that perfectly captures the winter season in Bryant Park?

If you're sitting there nodding, head on over to the Bryant Park Holiday Photo Contest on Flickr, upload your photos, and add them to the group. There’s no entry limit, so you can submit as many photos as you’d like.

If you're still racking your brain, trying to mentally flip through your personal photo archive, don't worry. You have until midnight on Sunday, November 28 to enter.

Just remember, to be eligible to win, your photo must be:

- Landscape oriented
- Minimum 1300 x 720 pixels (Ideal aspect ratio is 16:9. Larger photos will be cropped to 16:9 for the Bryant Park website. Check out our current photos at www.bryantpark.org)
- A winter or holiday themed photo of Bryant Park

Good luck!

From the Archives: William Earle Dodge in Bryant Park

Sometimes it seems as if New York’s monuments and statues move about the city's boroughs as much as its citizens do. Often, they will be relocated from one public space to another, because of construction, the whims of city officials, or convenience. The stories of monument preservation, placement, and movement from one park or square to another provide insight to the nature of the public places where they stand.

One in particular, William Earle Dodge, who currently resides midway through Bryant Park's 42^nd Street Allée, was first dedicated in Herald Square Park, located within one of our sister business improvement districts, the 34^th Street Partnership.



Overhead view of Herald Square, showing the Dodge monument, Herald building, and 6th Avenue elevated train, c. late 1930s. Photo: NYC Parks Department



William E. Dodge was best known as a founder of the successful copper and metals company Phelps Dodge & Co. He also helped start the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), and staunchly supported the Prohibition Movement. He served as President of the National Temperance Society from 1865 to 1883, and was instrumental in the publication of over 2,000 supporting books, pamphlets, and posters.



Pedestrian view showing the Dodge monument in Herald Square, c. late 1800s. Postcard: Bryant Park Corporation / 34th Street Partnership

When he died, friends formed a commemorative committee to erect a statue in his honor. This statue was sculpted by John Quincy Ward, and placed on a base designed by Richard Morris Hunt. Among Hunt’s many accomplishments, which include founding the American Institute of Architects (AIA), he also designed the base for the Statue of Liberty, as well as the façade and Great Hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Lady Liberty. Postcard: NYPL Digital Collection

Hunt’s base for the Dodge monument featured a water fountain and small lion’s head, a nod to Dodge’s commitment to temperance. Literature buffs too, will recognize the inherent symbolism in the lion’s head - commonly used to suggest stateliness, leadership, and reverence.

Pedestrian view of the Dodge monument, 1914. Photo: NYC Transit Museum

Dedicated on October 22, 1885, the statue presided there, in the company of the Herald Building, until Herald Square was refurbished in 1940.

One year later, in 1941, Dodge was moved to the northeast corner of Bryant Park, and placed on a granite pedestal. The original Hunt pedestal was removed from Herald Square; its current whereabouts are unknown.

Partial view of a 1939 architectural plan detailing the granite pedestal for the Dodge statue once moved to Bryant Park. Map: NYC Parks Department

Dodge remained in the northeast corner of the park, in close proximity to another publisher and philanthropist, William Cullen Bryant, until the 1992 renovation of the park.

Profile view of Dodge on the upper terrace in Bryant Park, 1983. Note the absence of the Bryant Park Cafe. Photo: Bryant Park Corporation / 34th Street Partnership



Rear view of Dodge on the upper terrace, nine years before his (and the park's) restoration. Photo: Bryant Park Corporation / 34th Street partnership



At that point, Dodge underwent a $23,000 renovation, and was moved again in the park to his present location, along the 42^nd Street allée, where the Bryant Park Reading Room is located during the warmer months, and currently, The Holiday Shops.



Shop the Season: Mmm...Enfes!

Rebecca offers a comprehensive guide to the sweet and savory Turkish menu found at The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park.

I stopped by the Turkish food shop, Mmm...Enfes!, a week ago and was struck by the vast assortment of mysteriously named but delicious looking food offerings. The line was so long I couldn’t wait though, so I decided to come back.

I re-visited the shop yesterday at lunch time and came prepared! I rarely encounter foods with names I don’t recognize, but Turkish is a cuisine I am not very familiar with. So I spent some time preparing my appetite by researching these Turkish delicacies. Here's what I learned (of course, the friendly owners will gladly explain each dish, when there isn’t a line 10 customers deep.)

• Bourek  fried or baked phyllo pastry with a savory filling, generally cheese.

• Gözleme  savoury hand made and rolled pastry. Fresh pastry is rolled out, filled and sealed, then cooked over a griddle. 

• Gül böreği  börek variations which are rolled into small spirals and have a spicier filling than other börek.

• Acili Ezme  a Turkish Style Tomato Dip.

• Baklava  a rich, sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey. It is characteristic of the cuisines of the former Ottoman Empire and much of central and southwest Asia.

• Salep  a Turkish food made from the roots of several species of orchids. Traditionally, the roots are ground and sold in a powdered form, with cooks adding salep powder to hot beverages, desserts, and sometimes ice cream, as well. Classically, salep is offered as a winter beverage, made by whisking the power in with milk, sugar, and spices.

I tried a few items: a spinach Bourek, a spinach and onion Gözleme, and a piece of Baklava. Unfortunately they’d run out of the Salep, so I’ll have to stop back for that.

The Bourek, which was fresh grilled, was crispy on the outside and filled with spinach and crumbled cheese. It was delicious – similar in flavor to a Greek Spanikopita, but more dense in texture. 

Next I tried a Spinach and Onion Gözleme, which looks like a huge savory pancake, rolled up and served hot off a grill. I preferred the Bourek, but both were great. This dish seems to be more popular, judging from the dozen or so customers I’ve seen ordering/eating them. (And, by the way, I couldn’t finish both in one sitting, they’re filling foods.)

I can’t admit to being new to Baklava, but I have to say, Mmm…Enfes’s version is the moistest and most honey-laden I’ve ever tasted. I’m not sure if there is supposed to be a magic culinary balance of honey to nut to pastry, but I never think there is enough honey, so I have no complaints!

Stop by, try some new dishes – you’ll be glad you did. Editor's note: Roughly translated from Turkish to English, 'mmm...enfes' means 'mmm...delicious'. Sounds about right!

Mmm...Enfes!

Booth F01 at the NW corner of the park (map)

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park 

Official hours*
Monday – Friday: 11am – 8pm
Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm

*Look for special extended hours as Christmas approaches. Some shops may be open on Thanksgiving and Christmas days.

Ready or Not, It's Holiday Window Season!

 

You'll see them at almost all the big department stores now, but did you know that Lord & Taylor was the first retailer to show off animated holiday windows?

Since the store is just around the corner from the park (on Fifth Avenue between 38th and 39th Street), I stopped by the annual Christmas Window Unveiling on Monday evening to get a firsthand look at the windows. You may think it's a little early for holiday windows, but the crowds suggested otherwise.

Pre-unveiling

Post-unveiling

This year's displays were inspired by real people who submitted their favorite family holiday stories and traditions to Lord & Taylor. 12 stories were chosen and incorporated into the windows.

Each display has a number of changing scenes (true to form for the pioneer store of animated windows!) so you can't help but take a few minutes to watch the revolving walls, doors that open and close, and windows that light up to reveal more action inside.

A scene in transition

It's so close to the park, that Lord & Taylor's windows are worth a visit on your way to or from a day of skating on The Pond or browsing at The Holiday Shops.

Of course, the photos don't do these them justice, so check them out now and avoid the mega-crowds closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Shop the Season: NYC Subways Circa 1980

Fashion Herald Intern, Craig, takes a break from 34th Street to visit The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park.

As New Yorkers, I think it's easy to forget the rich culture that surrounds us daily. I go to school where the New York Times was originally published, I live in a building that was once the world's largest hotel, and I travel around the city in tubes that were built in the 1900s.

If you need a gift for a history buff or just a plain old New York fan, head to NYC Subways circa 1980 for some incredible photography of our great mass transit system. Upon entry, you're greeted with rows of prints and t-shirts made from the owner, John Conn's, photography. The greatest part of this stand is the story behind each photo. For instance, in the photo on the left the officer's name is George Washington and his dog's name is King. Officer Washington is now retired, and I'm not sure what King is up to.

I think my favorite picture would have to be this subway sign from Kings Highway. I usually ignore graffiti but how great is the line on the right side of the sign? "Disco is the best." I'm sure one of my parents wrote this. They're still under the impression that disco is the greatest genre of all time.

I think I might head back to this stand for a tote bag with one of John's pictures on it. The hardest part is choosing just one shot.

NYC Subways Circa 1980

Booth F09 in the NE corner of the park (map)

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park 

Official hours*  
Monday – Friday: 11am – 8pm  
Saturday: 10am – 9pm  
Sunday: 10am – 6pm

*Look for special extended hours as Christmas approaches. Some shops may be open on Thanksgiving and Christmas days.

Celebrate Christmas Feet at Bryant Park

On his latest adventure, Carlos the French Bulldog visits Bryant Park during the holidays for a fun filled day of ice skating and gift shopping at Bryant Park. Follow the Frenchie in his newest book, Christmas Feet, and celebrate the book's official launch at a special family day this Saturday, November 20, at Citi Pond^SM at Bryant Park.

Stop by for skating, a meet and greet with the author and illustrator of Christmas Feet, live music, a doggie fashion show, and more. Full details are on the invite below. In the meantime, get a sneak preview of the beautiful illustrations of the park and order your own copy of Christmas Feet online at the Bryant Park Shop.

Bryant Park Neighborhood News

Video source: NY1 Exclusive: Block On West 42nd Street To Become Major Retail Site

Sure, we've got The Holiday Shops now, but wouldn't it be nice to have a sleek new retail center just steps from Bryant Park during all those other months of the year?

NY1 recently reported on real estate developer Cushman & Wakefield's plan to transform a dull stretch of 42nd Street into a venue for high-end food, shopping, and entertainment, complete with outdoor terraces and a public plaza.

We're also looking forward to exciting new retail occupants on the ground floor of 1095 Avenue of the Americas, across from the northwest corner of the park. No word yet on who's moving in, but if it's anything like the Liberty of London for Target Pop-Up that made an appearance earlier this year, we'll be happy.

Shop the Season: Pretzels and the Planet

Today's BPC guest blogger, Kati, shares her favorite finds from The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park.

Recycled Planet Store

Over the last few years, in an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle, I’ve seen designers do a lot with traditional trash to make fashionable art pieces. However, I was surprised when I checked out the Recycled Planet Store. I found myself wondering “How did they…” and “What is this made of?”. Using common items like subway maps, magazines and assorted plastics, the Recycled Planet Store wows, turning trash into treasures like picture frames, ornaments, home décor, jewelry and handbags.

And for those inspired, yet lacking the dumpster-diving know how, the Recycled Planet Store sells a full collection of Do-it-Yourself Kits for at-home recycled crafting. Stumped for gift ideas? Try crafting these aluminum can earrings or paper beads coil bracelets for the eco-divas on your holiday list. www.recycledplanetstore.com

Sigmund Pretzel Shop

Just next door, you’ll find this delicious pretzel shop. Sample flavored favorites like feta olive, or go for the classic salted variety. All promise to be chewy and crusty. They'll be happy to warm the pretzel up for you in the oven. This has to be one of the most moderately priced snacks to land in The Shops! Be sure to ask for the side of mustard, an excellent whole-grain selection. www.sigmundnyc.com

Recycled Planet Store & Sigmund Pretzel Shop

Booth K13 and booth K14 on the Upper Terrace (map)

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park 

Official hours*
Monday – Friday: 11am – 8pm
Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 10am – 6pm

*Look for special extended hours as Christmas approaches. Some shops may be open on Thanksgiving and Christmas days.