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Tender Buttons
143 E. 62nd St., New York, NY, 10065
at Lexington Ave.
212-758-7004
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- Displaying 1-10 of 17
Rudest staff in city
By shaloud on 5/23/2012
Having lived in the city previously for a good while I am used to "surly" but the lady that works at this shop takes the cake. She may be elderly but that gives her no right to speak to customers this way (read other reviews). I came in and showed her an antique button that I wanted to replicate and she immediately started to shout at me about never finding the exact same one and how I should just go to the garment district for a better choice. I have no idea what set her off but she kept on and on while she showed me similar buttons in the store. I ended up buying quite a few so I wouldn't have to return. Unless I pulled up in a stretch limo with a body guard (the staff were all over these people). Sheesh. She's not selling the crown jewels. Get a life.
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21 out of 30 people found this review helpful.
Like no place else
By nynostalgic on 10/22/2011
I started going to TB in the 1970's. I have shopped for buttons all over the country and part of the world and the quality and selection here cannot be matched. It even attracts business men and celebrities (saw Johnny Carson there once looking at special balzer buttons). At one time they also had buttons from designers - I found Robert Morris buttons that had been used by Donna Karan and Morris-like buttons that had been used by Luis DelOlio for Anne Klein (saw the blouse in Bloomingdales for several hundred dollars). Expensive but great quality. I place these buttons on purchased garments and remove them when I no longer use the garment. I purchased lapis and malachite buttons and some Robert Morris buttons at least 25 years ago that survived dry-cleaning (cover with foil). I can understand why the staff can be surly. They get a lot of tourists and lookie lous. I have been in the shop when customers left about 20 boxes out and did not purchase and when a customer took inordinate amount of their time and made a very small purchase.
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24 out of 39 people found this review helpful.
A special place
By cjdawe on 7/30/2010
My daughter and I just visited this past Wednesday. It was a great experience. We were so blown away by the inventory that we actually left, got a bite to eat and made a list of what we wanted to look at and then went back and shopped. The owner and sales associate were friendly but not pushy. They took my check graciously and packed up our dozens of buttons in cute little boxes with tissue paper. The prices were reasonable when you think of the quality of each button. It's a great place to visit even if you don't buy anything but I'd be hard pressed to find someone one who couldn't find one button they just had to have! The presentations on the walls are wonderful too: Alice in Wonderland buttons, seed buttons, signs. Just a wonderful place.
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81 out of 133 people found this review helpful.
Great store
By exeter on 6/27/2010
I had heard of this store and went for the first time last week. The selection and staff were both excellent. I'm surprised at the other negative reviews re: customer service. My experience was wonderful. 95 degree weather outside and the gentleman happily went to the basement to find me another $3. button. Would definitely go again on my next trip to NYC.
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82 out of 160 people found this review helpful.
Intriguing
By melodyw on 3/6/2010
Special trip from PA to NYC to visit this lovely shop. Good information provided regarding merchandise, history of shop, lunch in the area. The selection was truly unique; the salespeople pleasantly helpful, and the atmosphere relaxed, unhurried, delightful.
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101 out of 169 people found this review helpful.
Not So Tender Service
By normaknits on 1/9/2010
I was excited to go to this quaint and lovely place on the recommendation of a trusted friend from New York. I went yesterday and was thrilled with the place -- at first. I chose several sweaters' worth of buttons that came to about $100. While I was browsing, though, I heard the way three customers ahead of me were treated, which was the Old Stereotype of New York customer service -- I thought that was extinct! I am NOT thin-skinned, but I was rather appalled. Worse, they don't take credit cards, and customers are told harshly, "There's a bank right around the corner." I put my lovely selection of buttons back and left. I might go back for just the right button, but probably not.
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136 out of 250 people found this review helpful.
Delightful surprise
By stellathecat on 12/31/2009
I had heard of Tender Buttons but did not have time to look for it on my visit to NYC. So what a surprise,one day while looking for a restaurant, to find ourselves standing in front of this magical little store. We were thoroughly enchanted by this tiny button museum and enjoyed searching for the perfect buttons for my daughter's sweater. I found the button boxes well-organized and easy to search through and the staff was polite and personable enough when I had a question. I found the selection here much better than the standard buttons available on 38th St. if you are looking for something truly special. The prices were pretty reasonable too.
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100 out of 194 people found this review helpful.
I'd heard of this shop for decades
By dulaney on 12/27/2009
Tender Buttons has been on my radar for at least 20 years. On my recent first trip to NYC I set aside time to go there and found the setting and the shop charming, the selection wonderful, and the staff not particularly forthcoming. It was as if I was bothering them by asking questions. I would go back, because the buttons are a delight to behold; but I will not expect a welcoming atmosphere. Do the people who work there not like what they do? Maybe I was just there on an "off day." Don't be put off by the reception you get (or don't get); the stock and the items on display are worth the time to go there.
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98 out of 190 people found this review helpful.
very high mark up
By marina5700 on 7/8/2009
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.
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110 out of 194 people found this review helpful.
Simply a lovely little shop with everything
By ueslove on 3/25/2009
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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128 out of 210 people found this review helpful.
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