This semi-suburban oasis is popular with young families and filled with mom-and-pop shops: a “more grown-up” part of the Brooklyn borough. That’s not to say it has no edge; amongst the cheesemongers and competing Italian bakeries are plenty of stylish shops, trendy bars, and restaurants lauded by true foodies. Well-maintained brownstones and carriage houses date back to the 1800’s and offer an instant time warp into tree-lined, classic New York.
Boasting two Brooklyn locations (its original opened in Ditmas Park), Collyer’s Mansion is named for the Collyer brothers who collected 140 tons of items including: tapestries, glass chandeliers, 25,000 books, potato peelers, rusted bicycles, dressmaking dummies, guns, pinup girl photos, the chassis of the old Model T, and 14 pianos. Definitely more organized, but capturing the same off-kilter charm, the boutique features original objects from international artists and locally crafted jewelry.
