Shopping NYC
If spending money is your addiction, NYC certainly offers a wealth of stores. Most of the "used" vinyl sources are outrageously expensive (minimum $10 for common albums), but it is still possible to find those bargains on the street. Gathered here are a few places Vik has frequented or heard good things about.
Other Music
15 E. 4th St. NY, NY 10003 (212) 477 - 8150, http://www.othermusic.com. Vik's source for the hipster sounds of now. A fabulous selection of re-issues, imports and EZ electronica. Looking for those hard to find Franch pop releases. Can't get enough France Gall, Serge Gainsbourgh, Brigette Bardot, or Claudine Longet? Well, now you know where to find them. If you happen to drop by, tell'em Vik sent ya!
Radio Hula
(169 Mercer St. between Houston & Prince Sts., 212-226-4467) tiki drinks stirs ($2.50 per doz.), silk leis ($1 - $12), silk hibiscus and orchid hair clips ($4.50), ukuleles ($28), shell leis ($3.50), vintage reproduction cocktail trays ($24) and vintage fabrics (starting at $5). Music of Denny, Lyman, and the islands ranging from $5 - $30 and many more treats from the exotic isles.
Orchids Of Hawaii
(1-800-223-2124)...a restaurant supply company with an exotica mail order catalog. Fringed table skirts ($3.50 a running foot), bottles of flambe (6 bottles for $61), a complete luau decorating kit ($31.95) and much more!
Used Book Cafe
There's a good, cheap cache of 60s-era EZ at a new place in Soho. It's the Used Book Cafe at 126 Crosby Street, run by the wonderful folks at Housing Works. Dozens of Mantovani, Percy Faith, Lawrence Welk, and many more obscure works -- all at $1.00 each.