By now you’ve stored the overcoat, hats and mittens; time to make room for prints, purses, and presents. The LES’ bevy of boutiques is busting at the seams, featuring heaps of young designers, the ultimate in vintage, and accessories.

With your GO EAST! Shopping and Rewards Card you can explore our incredible shops and see what they have in store for the spring...

BBlessing (181 Orchard St.) – From the people who brought you awesome beats and sounds at Breakbeat Science, BBlessing officially opened its doors this spring, featuring a unique, tightly edited selection of bleeding edge art, music and men’s fashion.

Johnson (179 Orchard St.) – Check out Kim Johnson’s new spring collection featuring fitted short-sleeve jackets and trousers, gorgeous print and knit dresses, Winter Water Factory Bags, and much more.

La Di Da (147 Orchard St.) – Emerging designers converge at La Di Da. Here’s this spring’s short list: shoes and bags by Melanie Dizon and Kristen Lee; apparel by Lauren Felton, Vena Cava, Lewis Cho, and many more.

Lolli by Reincarnation (85 Stanton St.) – Designers McCarthy and Simmons retail shop (of the same name) showcasing their handbag line, knit pieces, hand-cut leather jackets, recreated vintage ready-to-wear, accessories and a beautiful collection of reworked furniture.

Hairy Mary's Vintage and Design (149 Orchard St.) – Summer dresses, cool prints and creative finds abound at Sharon Broit’s old-is-new-again vintage shop; Hairy Mary’s joins its vintage neighbors, Frock, David Owen’s Vintage, Foley and Corrina, Swell, and many more.

Also worth checking out: Penvern (166 Orchard St.); Hudson Street Papers (149 Orchard St.); and Reed Space (151 Orchard St.). Happy shopping!
 

Keep your mind, body and soul moving throughout the seasons at these nabe faves.

It's OK to be a poser on the LES. Recently featured in NY Magazine’s Best of New York, Bikram Yoga LES offers hoodsters a place to slim down, tone up, calm down, stretch out, think and breathe. This hotspot (literally) features a new studio, a heaping hot furnace, fancy fresh mats, sparkling showers, a sky-high pile of crisp towels and intense 90-minute classes at reasonable prices. (172 Allen St. b/w Stanton and Rivington)

Give your mind a work out at Bluestockings (172 Allen St.) where an incredible collection of thought-provoking books and enlightening conversations await. Bluestockings offers a ton of readings, workshops, discussions, and films on a regular basis.

Complete your summer prep, or pamper mom on Mother's Day with a facial from Best of NY fave Christine Chin (79 Rivington St.).
 

Discover the many hidden, and not-so-hidden treasures of the LES and learn more about LES fashion, art and culture. Here's how:

HISTORY Sunday at 11 AM; Free Walking Tours: Open to the public, this informative and fun free tour explores New York City's original leader in discount retailing and highlights the integral role of retail, shopping and more in the Lower East Side of today. Meet at Katz's Deli (Ludlow and Houston)

Sunday, May 7, 12-4 PM; Coming Home: Hunting for the Treasures of the Lower East Side; 97 Orchard Street; Tackle tricky, humorous questions about some of the buildings and institutions that define the immigrant history of the LES and today's immigrant experience. Knowledge of immigration history is not required. Registration is strongly encouraged. To register, or for more information, call the LES Tenement Museum at 212-431-0233, ext. 223.

Wednesday, May 27; 7 PM; FREE. Secrets of the Lower East Side: Join author and historian Joyce Mendelsohn as she unlocks the rich history of New York’s trendiest neighborhood. You’ll be amazed by what you find out! Located at 184 Eldridge (corner of Rivington). For more information or to reserve in advance, call 212-453-0257.

ART April 30, May 22, 1pm - ELS-LES (Every Last Sunday on the Lower East Side) Observe artists in their natural habitats. Crawl through artists' studios and galleries with a guided tour, beginning at 1 pm. Self guided tours also available. Meet at LES Visitor Center: 261 Broome Street (Btwn Orchard and Allen).www.elsles.org
 

FASHION May 17th, 7pm; University Settlement presents LESsons Wearing Vintage; Sip Champagne and learn how to pair your every day wear with your one-of-a-kind vintage find. Featuring the LES experts who know, sponsored by Lucky Magazine, Evian, and the LES BID. Click here for more details and to RSVP. +

 

FOOD - Coming Soon! - Our very own LES Farmer’s Market! Farmers from around the state will be joining our Orchard Street merchants, with tasty seasonal delights. On Orchard between Delancey and Broome. This July...

Stay tuned for more events this summer!
 

Recognize the LES tradition in this picture? It's LES institution, Guss' pickles making fresh, hot horseradish for this year's Passover holiday. Make sure water's nearby
before you dive in...

Houston Street Center Opens

A collaboration between the Chinatown YMCA and University Settlement, the Houston Street Center Y recently opened its doors to provide accessible space for information and idea exchange, innovative programming and community-building. This state-of- the-art, 42,000 square foot facility offers amenities including a competition- sized swimming pool, cardio/fitness center, aerobics and dance studio, gymnasium, community offices, and seminar and multi-purpose rooms.

Details: Open seven days, 6:00 AM to midnight.

Located at 273 Bowery (at the Corner of Houston Street) - within the Avalon Chrystie building.

More information: Contact Karina Glaser, at 212-475-5008 x308 or karina@universitysettlement.org

NEW BUSINESSES

Hairy Mary's Vintage (149 Orchard St.); The Orchard (168 Orchard St.); Zucco Le French Diner (188 Orchard St); Esteli Shoes (143 Orchard St.); Ronald’s Pizza Cafe (74 Orchard Street); El Bocadito (79 Orchard Street); DeMask (144 Orchard Street); HSBC Bank (307 Grand Street); The Bean @ Sol Moscot (118 Orchard St.); Swell Vintage (101 Delancey Street); Blue Moon Hotel (100 Orchard St.); Miguel Abreu Gallery (36 Orchard St.); Bblessing (181 Orchard Street)

Complete Listing
 

Established in 1992, the Lower East Side Business Improvement District (LESBID) is a non-profit economic development organization created to revitalize the Orchard Street Shopping District while preserving its unique and diverse character. Today, the LESBID is a community of over 400 merchants and property owners managed by a Board of Directors and consisting of local merchants, property owners, residents and elected officials. The LESBID promotes the local businesses, hosts events and provides community beautification services including sanitation, security, and graffiti removal.