Eyestorm

It lacks some qualities you'd expect in a great gallery, like how it deals in more commercial prints than fine and original art, but it's still a great showcase introducing young collectors to safe pieces in a friendly way and it deserves credit for that. I've bought a piece here with no regrets and feeling safe in the quality and authenticity of my purchase.

PROS: Knowledge
CONS:

Angelika Film Ctr & Cafe

If ever there were a theater ripe for an overhaul it would be here, especially now that it competes with the Landmark Sunshine a few blocks away. While the location is deep in the heart of SoHo, it's relic like presence seems more novelty than avant garde in the mall of a neighborhood, especially when Film Forum also not far away has much more credibility.

The Film Forum

While the seating and capacity can always improve, it's not what you come here for. From the time I saw a screening of Les Diaboliques ten years ago to Matthew Barney's The Cremaster Series this last year, they have always provided rare and cutting edge film outside the mainstream of cinema from right in the heart of downtown.

Hair Cutting Plus-Day Spa

And a great location in midtown Bayonne, Haircutting Plus - once Chicks Only - is great for a guy or girl looking for something greater than a stereotypical Jersey haircut. I've been going here for years and while the looks have evolved service has always been traditionally top notch. Even with the upstairs tanning area gone, HP remains a great full service salon.

PROS: Style, Service
CONS:

Lyceum Cleaners

This has been my dry cleaner for the past ten years and even through staff and ownership changes in that time, the service has been friendly as family, they rush to turn over items in the same day if you arrive early enough in the morning and the costs have hardly risen keeping them competitive with the overcrowded market in town.

PROS: Service, Cost
CONS:

Forum Fitness Club

This gym just lacks. The locker rooms are limited in size, safety and amenities. All the equipment is too close together, the expanded parking still fails to provide at peak times and their personal trainers are certified through a weekend course not actually educated in physical education, sports medicine or physical therapy. And when you realize this too late, it's near impossible to get out of your contract.

Black, Ellen M, MD Associates In Cardiovascular

This comic shop it literally half of what it once was at best. Never mind it was twice the size before the gym moved in next door, but service and selection must have been on the other side of the property line as well. There are much better and more intimate comics shops in town than this.

Metro Comics

As humble and innocent as St. Mark's comics is, it still harkens back to the youth and mood of a much different St. Mark's Place being devoured by chain businesses and NYU students. Small shop but a great vibe and liberal selection make this a rare treat along this two block stretch.

Vector Books

I started shopping at Vector for comics when I was a kid and it looked like it had been there for decades and it'll likely be there for decades more. It's great in this internet age to find such a plentiful and precious small town comic book shop such as this. It' s the oldest and best bookshop in town.

PROS: Cost, Convenience
CONS:

Alife Rivington Club Inc

It's small. You won't even notice it but it's right next to the other Alife store. It's the size of a shoe closet, with shoes on display like trophies which is a concept that you should relate with if you're here to buy them, it's a triumph to find and afford the sneakers they have to offer. And if you get there at the time of a new release it may well be worth the trip.

PROS: Rare offerings
CONS: Limited selection