Ever Live in New York?
Berenice Abbott. Bread Store, 259 Bleeker St, 1937.
(New York Public Library.)
If you (or someone you’re shopping for) loves New York City, this is a perfect choice. A. Zito & Sons bakery was in business for over 80 years, and when I stumbled upon it back in the 90’s it looked just like this—with a slight difference in prices.
Before rustic breads were fashionable, people were lining up for still-warm loaves from this bakery in the Village. When it finally closed in 2004, a city landmark vanished. This photograph from 1937 by Berenice Abbott was part of her long effort to document the New York she knew and grew up in.
This is one of our top picks not just because it’s a famous photograph, but because it represents one of the Manhattan’s great treasures, many of which still exist and help make New York such an amazing place.