By Victoria Grantham
As a longtime resident of Tribeca, I’ve seen the community’s dramatic transformation up close. Once known as an outpost populated by pioneers, it became the epicenter of the 9/11 recovery effort, then it morphed into a haven. Movie stars (Julianne Moore, Edie Falco), families (drawn to P.S. 234, P.S./I.S. 89, and Stuyvesant), and now big business (Bed, Bath & Beyond, Barnes & Noble), have flocked to the neighborhood. Mid-upheaval, mom-and-pop shops have been elbowed out, but distinctive small businesses have also sprouted. Some are so tiny, out of the way, or otherwise camouflaged, however, you could blink and miss them. Here are eight semi-hidden gems — from fitness to food — worth your time and money in the new year.
Kiva Café, 139 Reade St., 212-587-1198, kivacafe.com Named after the ancient structures in which Anasazi Indians gathered for ceremonies, this cozy nook pairs a welcoming, meditative atmosphere with organic bites. At 200 square feet (at most), it could be easily missed. Beebe Okoye, an architect and artist from Arizona, opened the café in Tribeca and its sibling space in Soho. In addition to nourishing the neighborhood with vegan morsels at brunch and flatbread pizzas and wine at dinner, Kiva showcases local jewelry, ceramics, paintings and photos.
Tribeca Treats, 94 Reade St., 212-571-0500, tribecatreats.com Rachel Thebault, a banker turned baker, opened this sumptuous confectionary in early 2007. Thebault sells indulgent, beautifully packaged chocolate, cookies and cupcakes and goes beyond the usual, offering custom flavors of truffles for special events. Gourmet chocolate bars sold by the box contain from 2-25 pieces ($4 – $45) and are named after local streets, like Franklin and Leonard. The store, slightly off-the-beaten-path, on Reade between Church and West Broadway, has a simple brown box on its sign. Kids can likely locate the place with their eyes closed.
Soda Shop, 125 Chambers St., 212-571-1100, sodashopnewyork.com The brainchild of Craig Bero, a serial restaurateur (Grange Hall, Anglers and Writers, etc.), and Linda Donahue, a lawyer, Soda Shop is an ode to old New York. It is filled with lovingly scavenged castoffs – like the century-old white marble fireplace Bero unearthed on a demolition site. The spot features other-era candy including Charleston Chews, as well as frothy egg creams, fluffy cinnamon French toast, and bread-crumbed mac ’n’ cheese at student-friendly prices. Wedged between an old school barber and a new nail salon and housed under a nondescript half block-long awning, the eatery is like a Russian nesting doll in that it conceals a secret: It has a hidden back room for parties and high tea. The area, which was excavated by the duo, feels otherworldly since it’s separated from the rest of the space by a long passage.
The Hideaway, 185 Duane St. (866) 414-9250, thehideawaynyc.com True to its name, The Hideaway is a relaxed, sign-less refuge tucked on Duane just off of Greenwich. Chef Alex Oefeli, formerly of Raoul’s, turns this mellow bar, which is sophisticated without being stuffy, into a place for a simple bite with friends. With crisp décor, an extensive wine list, dishes like panzanella salad, and flat screen televisions, the space manages to function as a hybrid lounge-pub-restaurant without unduly alienating fans of sports, vino or haute cuisine. The location has been semi-cursed (several bars opened and closed there in the span of just a few years), but judging by the neighborhood’s response, it seems The Hideaway, launched in 2005 by two Duke alums, is here to stay.
Cadence, 174 Hudson St., 212-226-4400, cadencecycling.com Cadence, a new multi-sport training center, is a sleek, high-end facility on the corner of Canal St., practically in the mouth of the Holland Tunnel. This Philadelphia offshoot qualifies as “hidden in plain sight” because when I asked my marathon buddy to meet me there she texted me three times when she was out front, unable to find it. (It’s raised above street level and not well-marked.) Staffed by cycling and cross-training experts, Cadence has tapped the triathlon trend. The center sells gear, provides mechanical services and offers cycling classes and coaching in its spa-like 10,200-square-foot space. “Valet bike service,” which allows clients to store their bikes on-site, and “cycling concierge service,” which includes house calls for bicycle fittings, reinforce the high-touch feel. Intrigued, but not motivated to find the place? Check it out by tuning into “Bobby Flay’s Throwdown” on the Food Network in February. Flay went head-to-head against amateur triathletes and professional bakers, Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald, of Levain Bakery, in a taping at the center.
Lotus Salon, 141 Reade St., 212-608-7788, lotusintribeca.com Lotus Salon on Reade (right near Kiva Café) is a small, affordable place to pop in for a cut, color, or straightening. Walk-in service, relaxing Asian-influenced minimalist décor and laid-back stylists who provide competent, customized cuts make the experience a pleasure. The salon, which has two sisters, (one in SoHo, one in the East Village), is all about easy.
Daisy Dog Studio, 186 Duane St., 212-431-1616, daisydogstudio.com Sandwiched between galleries and high end furniture shops, Emily McCoy’s petite Daisy Dog Studio is like a determined little ray of sunshine. Named after McCoy’s beloved pitbull, her shop showcases her lively porcelain pieces. Brightly colored circles dominate McCoy’s upbeat plates, pots, jars, bowls and mugs. Described as “porcelain for people,” the items, priced from $15 to $100, make a great gift. All the pieces have an image of Daisy at the bottom – (her stamp of approval). McCoy donates 5 percent of sales to PETA. Her hours are limited, so try online.
Tribeca girls, 171 Duane St., 212-925-0049, tribecagirls.com This is a newcomer to a neighborhood long on kids but short on kids’ shops. The store serves girls from two to 14. Free candy is designed to lure young shoppers in and encourage repeat visits. Billed as moderately priced, Tribeca girls carries name-brand fashions from Diesel to DKNY. The staff is helpful, not pushy, but parents beware: Tweens are sure to swoon.
Victoria Grantham is a freelance writer living in Tribeca.
