Lights On…In Lower Manhattan

Summer is the season of escape. In this edition, we have a new car rental service for your upcoming vacation, a sandwich shop to equip you with food for the road, a shoe store so you’re fashionably shod when you arrive, and a nail salon and spa to pamper your tired feet when you return.

Abey Nails & Spa, 32 Warren, (212) 608-2208

Lower Manhattan is becoming a destination for charming salons and spas where professionals (or tourists) can come and get out of the stressful office/hot sun for an hour or maybe two. Abey offers a variety of treatments—from manicures and pedicures to waxing, massage and facials—to help customers relax and enjoy some pampering. Some of the spa’s more unique treatments include a AgeLOC face lifting and firming treatment and skin treatments for acne and sensitive skin. If you’re not satisfied judging your body shape, and also find yourself judging the length of your eyelashes, you can come in for eyelash extensions and eyelash perming and put down the mascara and curler for good!  The salon is offering 15 percent off services (grab a coupon on their website) through September 30.

Dollar Rent A Car, 345 South End Avenue, (917)-701-1069, or 718-656-2401 Ext. 228 for NYC local corporate programs

With about 9,000 people living in Battery Park City and revitalization efforts continuing in the community and around Lower Manhattan, Dollar Rent A Car decided this location was the perfect place to open a car rental service, said Sales and Marketing Manager Paul Rivera.

“Our Dollar location is strategically situated to service residences, the World Financial Center and the greater New York Metropolitan area as a whole,” Rivera continued.

Customers can expect top-quality rentals at competitive rates for a wide range of vehicles. Dollar offers a variety of rental programs depending on the customer’s needs, including Dollar Express, the Dollar rental rewards program. Also available are GPS navigation units and the EZ Pass for rent at competitive rates.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop, 90 Broad Street, (646) 289-4211

A transplant from my native Chicago, Potbelly is digging some new roots in New York City. The shop also will be opening a location on Fulton Street that we’re looking forward to as well. Potbelly specializes in tasty subs that are also very affordable with prices ranging from as little as $5, which is hard to beat in this city. Try classics such as the turkey breast, ham and Swiss, or roast beef, or go for something wild like the pizza sandwich (pepperoni, meatball, capicola, marinara sauce, provolone cheese, mushrooms and Italian seasoning) or the wreck (salami, roast beef, turkey and ham with Swiss cheese). Vegetarians and healthy eaters can try a chickpea veggie salad or veggie sandwiches, and diners with a sweet tooth will find shakes and cookies to satisfy cravings.

Aldo, 181 Broadway, (212) 227-1686

I have a number of pairs of shoes from Aldo, and a few things always hold true about the brand: They last forever, look great, and are affordable enough to own as many as you like. The retailer is one of the largest shoe brands in the world, and specializes in leather goods and accessories in addition to shoes. The new location on Broadway joins several other shoe stores on the block including Aerosoles and the Century 21 women’s shoe store so you don’t have to wander very far to find a variety of quality brands and styles.  Aldo is also offering a huge sale on items throughout the store and online, so drop by before it’s over.

Closings:

Uncle Mike’s, 57 Murray

Kelly Rush is the Field Liaison for the Alliance for Downtown New York, the Business Improvement District (BID) for Lower Manhattan. Every other Thursday, she writes about what’s up downtown and provides info on everything from where to find great corned beef to where to find great parking.