Greenwich Village

Before you start salivating at the idea of being able to eat New York cheesecake in a cute café adorned with photographs of the big apple, let me break it to you: Greenwich Village is actually a street market. What’s more, it’s a street market that’s indoors and doesn’t sell any food or drink at all!
Instead, Greenwich Village is a big space in the North Laines with a cluster of different stalls selling ethnic clothes, accessories and decorations. Some seem to specialise in beautiful jewellery, silk scarves, bags and trinkets whilst other stock plain and patterned silk tunics, wool cardigans and jumpers in a rainbow of colours. There’s also a small selection of ethical baby and kids clothes to entice you but alas, no damn cheesecake.

Greenwich Village is a great diverse shop with lots to choose from. It sells clothes, ornaments, accessories, homeware and everything in-​between. The shop consists of different sections, at the back they sell some gorgeous 50’s inspired dresses many of which I have brought myself. The rest is an ethnic, hippy style of clothing with some lovely individual items great for the wide array of people that surround the North Laines. The homeware ranges from new age items such as wooden mirrors and stone statues to vintage jewellery boxes and velvet purses. Whatever your style you will be sure to find something in this place that takes your fancy.

As others have said, the name is slightly misleading — this place focusses on Indian and other Asian style clothes in all sorts of bright colours and beautiful materials, as well as a range of accessories.
Entering the shop, you find yourself in what feels little like a cross between a wardrobe and a corridor — with racks of clothes tightly packed from floor to ceiling. There are some beautiful silk items on sale, many with very pretty patterns and embroidery — it’s almost like a little piece of Anjuna market transported to Brighton.

I loved everything about this shop… I could have stayed all afternoon. The name was a bit misleading (I was thinking New York… found something closer to India.) The outfits were really unique and lovely to look through — some were plain, others made with intricate patterns, and most looked flow-​y and comfortable.
Prices were very reasonable, with tops usually around £20; sweaters and coats between £30 — £40. Greenwich Village also has a wide range of accessories — scarves, headbands, jewellery, shoes… and there’s a home-​ware section near the back. I was drawn to the large wood carvings — though these were a bit out of my price range — and the decorative cushions.
There were many staff members around the store, all friendly and ready to offer assistance if needed. I recommend this shop for a unique and leisurely shopping experience.

Greewich village is a jam-​packed shop with dozens of individual stalls all selling ethnic clothing, materials, accessories and crafts. I was a massive fan about 5 years ago in my early student days, and still own about 7 indian silk cami tops with pretty patterns. The prices aren’t bad (if you forget about the fact that it’s probably not fairtrade and the tops probably cost pence in India), those tops costing me £10−12 each — although they wouldn’t do me a deal when I was buying two at once, which I though was a little tight considering how much I’ve bought there! But anyway, although fashion-​wise this place’s ethnic offerings are hardly on trend at the moment, the place is always bustling and I remain a fan as it offers a refreshing alternative to the over-​priced boutiques, aimed at the rich yummy mummies (seriously — so many designer baby clothes!), nearby. Greenwich Village is a feast for the eyes — with bright colours and seaquins galore — and great for a browse or gift inspiration.

Greenwich Village doesn’t really remind me of its New York namesake. It is an indoor mini bazaar, with various ‘stalls’ (more like cubbyholes) selling all sorts of ethnic crafts, clothing and material. Its a feast for the eyes; everywhere you look, beautiful, bright clothing and curtains and bags are draped around. This is a really great place to buy gifts, with things like ethnic jewellery, scarves and woolly sock slippers dotted all over the shop. Prices aren’t too bad either, you can pick up a really colourful scarf for as little as £6!
Towards the back of the shop, there is a larger room that is home to all sorts of interesting bits and bobs– again, great for pressies. Dig around in little pots of earrings and sift through the trinkets, purses and key rings to see if anything takes your fancy. In this second room there is also larger items such as mirrors and small items of furniture. There is also rails of clothing to peruse.
Greenwich Village is a shop I love to wander around– although much of the clothing is too loud for my personal taste, the materials are really beautiful and I just like to admire other people’s amazing handiwork!