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New York City has more stores than anyone could physically tackle, but somehow we always keep returning to the usual suspects. To break out of the rut, we've asked some local shopping and fashion gurus to provide their hidden retail gems—those unique stores around our fantastic city that we might not all know about. Cue the Beatles: We're about to get a little help from our friends.
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Jake Wilson is a writer/director/actor/producer and founder of The Battery Co. production company, where he's been responsible for putting forth "The Battery's Down" musical web series. Prior to venturing out on his own, Wilson spent time writing for VH1's Big Morning Buzz Live, working with OWN, The Oprah Winfrey's Network, and writing for New York Magazine. Here, he shows us his favorite spot to score new kicks on West 72nd Street.
Like most New Yorkers, I do the majority of my shopping downtown. If I didn't live around the corner from this store, I probably would have never found it. I'm a total sneaker junkie and this place is like the pot of gold over the rainbow. I'm pretty sure some people know about this spot—at least teens between the ages of 12-16 because every so often there will be a line of kids who spend the night on the streets waiting to get their new kicks in the morning.
But it's not just their shoe selection—their clothing and accessories selection is just as good. It's like Frank Ocean: The Store. Tank tops you don't find anywhere else, the best hats, and the sexiest jackets. I always joke with my friends that I'm "changing my image" from week to week when I want to change up my look, and it's all due to this spot.
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· The Battery Co. [Official Site]
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