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Tender Buttons

Critics' Pick

143 E. 62nd St., New York, NY 10065
at Lexington Ave. See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-758-7004 Send to Phone

Reader Rating:
6.7 out of 10
|
9 Reviews | Write a Review
Products & Services: Cuff Links/Notions

Photo by Shanna Ravindra

Map Rate & Review

Hours

Mon-Fri, 10:30am-6pm; Sat, 10:30am-5:30pm; Sun, closed

Nearby Subway Stops

N, R, W at Lexington Ave.-59th St.; 4, 5, 6 at 59th St.; F at Lexington Ave.-63rd St.

Payment Methods

Cash Only

Product Guide

Accessories

Cuff Links/Notions

Profile

Although it’s named for a 1914 culinary essay by Gertrude Stein, this Upper East Side button boutique has little to do with that original; save for the fact that the store’s inventory, like Stein’s elongated prose, seems to go on and on and on. Even if you aren’t particularly attached to the little knobs that hold your clothing together, visit this museum-like shop to check out antique pieces that are more statement accessories than simple adornments, or for special buttons to fasten a baby’s hand-knit welcome-home sweater or your ‘new’ vintage coat. In addition to some 400 styles of blazer buttons alone, the vast stock impresses with popular military style clasps and serious gawker pieces in kaleidoscope glass and fossilized ivory; some even resemble 18th-century mini paintings. Those with fashion courage can buy single buttons to mismatch by design. — Susan Avery

6.7

"Recommended"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10

66%	Would you go back?
12%	Do you go there for bargains?
62%	Do you go there to buy gifts?

Quality:	8.6
Service:	6.2
Selection:	8.4
Value:	6.2

very high mark up

marina5700 from 10471 | Posted on 7/8/09

Overall Rating: 3 (Not Recommended)


Quality:	7
Service:	3

Selection:	7

Value:	1

I sought leather buttons, found them here for 1.00 more per button than in notions district (38th between 7&8 Aves, same quality. Also, the salesman at Tender Buttons could not wait to get rid of his customers. Not so "tender", and overpriced. If you want extremely fancy buttons for which you are prepared to pay like 60.00 per button, you may find a unique selection here. But for almost anything else, go to the garment district.

Simply a lovely little shop with everything

ueslove from 10028 | Posted on 3/25/09

Overall Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)


Quality:	10
Service:	10

Selection:	10

Value:	10

Tender Buttons is one of those special little places that is nearly extinct these days--everything from the vast selection of fantastic buttons to the ambiance in the shop. It's organized like a library and begs for quiet study.. it's not the place you should be going if you need something right.this.minute. The staff is not rude. This is just not the kind of place you go to ask for someone to hold your hand and help you decide what you want. The buttons are extremely well-organized by type (leather, wood, horn, metal, plastic, fabric-covered, etc.) and it's simply a delight to see and touch them all. And NOT expensive.. a lot of buttons start at $1.00!! It is what you make of it. I enjoy it.

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