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Driely S.

Nine NYC Stores With Bangin' Backyards, Patios, and Roof Decks

By Rebecca Jennings
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By Rebecca Jennings
Driely S.

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It's hot today. It was hot yesterday. It was crazy hot this weekend, and guess what? It'll probably be hot tomorrow, which makes toting around a bunch of bags and trying on clothes about the last thing anyone wants to be doing right now. But! While indoor air conditioning certainly helps, there are a precious few stores around town with actual outdoor spaces for tired—and likely sweaty—shoppers.

Below, take a tour around NYC's best hidden backyards, rooftops, and gardens, all of which happen to be in the immediate vicinity of your next pair of shoes.

Photo: Tenoverten/Instagram

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Cynthia Rowley

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Cynthia Rowley's Upper East Side boutique has more than just pretty dresses patterned with flowers—it's got, well, actual flowers! The whimsical courtyard, which is also available to rent for parties, boasts a garden by floral designer Raul Avila. [Photo: Cynthia Rowley]
43 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075
(212) 288-1141
(212) 288-1141

Fly London

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When this Portuguese shoe brand took over the old Kurt Geiger space last fall, it also happily inherited the adorable, cozy backyard. Cute patio furniture provides a few seats for weary walkers, but the store's also got plenty of super-comfy shoes for that, too. [Photo: Elena Adams]
375 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
(212) 647-7567
(212) 647-7567

Toms Outpost

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Known for its philanthropic ethos, the first Toms store in NYC also gives back to its Nolita neighbors by providing desperately needed outdoor space. Bonus: There's an in-store café, so coffee-and-croissant hangs are encouraged. [Photo: Toms]
264 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 219-8304
(212) 219-8304

Saturdays Surf NYC

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As the most well-known backyard of this bunch, it can be difficult copping a seat at this surf shop. But if you manage to grab a spot to sip your coffee from the in-store cafe, you'll be nestled in one of New York's great rarities: peace and quiet. [Photo: Saturdays Surf NYC]
31 Crosby St, New York, NY 10013
(212) 966-7875
(212) 966-7875

Warm

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One of the cutest, coziest boutiques in the city has a teeny backyard to match. And every so often, husband-and-wife duo Winnie Beattie and Rob Magnotta hold events and parties—some even for the kiddos. [Photo: Warm]
181 Mott St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 925-1200
(212) 925-1200

Concrete + Water

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Concrete + Water, Williamsburg's "gateway to fashion" is exactly as airy (there's a skylight) and open as you'd expect for a store housed in a former industrial warehouse, but the backyard takes it even further. And at 750 square feet, it's large enough for events like pop-up dinners, cocktail parties, and this Saturday's Brooklyn Maker's Market. [Photo: Concrete + Water]
485 Driggs Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(917) 909-1828
(917) 909-1828

Jill Lindsey

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In the year since Jill Lindsey opened her eponymous Fort Greene boutique, she's hosted countless parties, workshops, and neighborhood get-togethers in the backyard. You'll find everything from taco parties to tye-dye workshops with Upstate and classes on improving interpersonal communication on the event calendar, although there's always the option of simply sipping a glass of rosé from the in-store bar-slash-café. [Photo: Jill Lindsey]
370 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205
(347) 987-4538
(347) 987-4538

Tenoverten

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What's better than having your nails done at one of NYC's best fancy nail salons? Getting your nails done outside. The back patio occasionally offers backyard pedis, as well as a sunny spot to let polish dry. [Photo]
132 West Houston Street, New York, NY 10012
(917) 475-1000
(917) 475-1000

Space Ninety 8

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You could spend all day perusing the multi-story maze Urban Outfitters built to dazzle Williamsburg hipsters, but your time is best spent on the roof, where the second floor of the Gorbals (yes, it has an in-house restaurant) lives. Post up on one of the wooden benches for a mid-shopping cocktail before heading back to the crop tops. [Photo: Driely S.]
98 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
(718) 599-0209
(718) 599-0209
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Cynthia Rowley

43 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075
Cynthia Rowley's Upper East Side boutique has more than just pretty dresses patterned with flowers—it's got, well, actual flowers! The whimsical courtyard, which is also available to rent for parties, boasts a garden by floral designer Raul Avila. [Photo: Cynthia Rowley]
43 E 78th St, New York, NY 10075
(212) 288-1141
(212) 288-1141

Fly London

375 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
When this Portuguese shoe brand took over the old Kurt Geiger space last fall, it also happily inherited the adorable, cozy backyard. Cute patio furniture provides a few seats for weary walkers, but the store's also got plenty of super-comfy shoes for that, too. [Photo: Elena Adams]
375 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
(212) 647-7567
(212) 647-7567

Toms Outpost

264 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
Known for its philanthropic ethos, the first Toms store in NYC also gives back to its Nolita neighbors by providing desperately needed outdoor space. Bonus: There's an in-store café, so coffee-and-croissant hangs are encouraged. [Photo: Toms]
264 Elizabeth St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 219-8304
(212) 219-8304

Saturdays Surf NYC

31 Crosby St, New York, NY 10013
As the most well-known backyard of this bunch, it can be difficult copping a seat at this surf shop. But if you manage to grab a spot to sip your coffee from the in-store cafe, you'll be nestled in one of New York's great rarities: peace and quiet. [Photo: Saturdays Surf NYC]
31 Crosby St, New York, NY 10013
(212) 966-7875
(212) 966-7875

Warm

181 Mott St, New York, NY 10012
One of the cutest, coziest boutiques in the city has a teeny backyard to match. And every so often, husband-and-wife duo Winnie Beattie and Rob Magnotta hold events and parties—some even for the kiddos. [Photo: Warm]
181 Mott St, New York, NY 10012
(212) 925-1200
(212) 925-1200

Concrete + Water

485 Driggs Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211
Concrete + Water, Williamsburg's "gateway to fashion" is exactly as airy (there's a skylight) and open as you'd expect for a store housed in a former industrial warehouse, but the backyard takes it even further. And at 750 square feet, it's large enough for events like pop-up dinners, cocktail parties, and this Saturday's Brooklyn Maker's Market. [Photo: Concrete + Water]
485 Driggs Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(917) 909-1828
(917) 909-1828

Jill Lindsey

370 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205
In the year since Jill Lindsey opened her eponymous Fort Greene boutique, she's hosted countless parties, workshops, and neighborhood get-togethers in the backyard. You'll find everything from taco parties to tye-dye workshops with Upstate and classes on improving interpersonal communication on the event calendar, although there's always the option of simply sipping a glass of rosé from the in-store bar-slash-café. [Photo: Jill Lindsey]
370 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205
(347) 987-4538
(347) 987-4538

Tenoverten

132 West Houston Street, New York, NY 10012
What's better than having your nails done at one of NYC's best fancy nail salons? Getting your nails done outside. The back patio occasionally offers backyard pedis, as well as a sunny spot to let polish dry. [Photo]
132 West Houston Street, New York, NY 10012
(917) 475-1000
(917) 475-1000

Space Ninety 8

98 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
You could spend all day perusing the multi-story maze Urban Outfitters built to dazzle Williamsburg hipsters, but your time is best spent on the roof, where the second floor of the Gorbals (yes, it has an in-house restaurant) lives. Post up on one of the wooden benches for a mid-shopping cocktail before heading back to the crop tops. [Photo: Driely S.]
98 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
(718) 599-0209
(718) 599-0209