Off-Broadway. Who remembers when Broadway Panhandler was on Broadway? Ever since SoHo has been lost to the Boutique Hordes, the good stuff has moved off center.
The Panhandler is a great resource for retail chefs, and the fact that it has so little competition tells you the niche is a bit bleak (Williams-Sonoma ain't the same thing). It has changed since 1976 by going "upmarket with All-Clad pots and pans and espresso machines" but still retains its place as "the best kitchen supply store in town." The website is also good with tips on wood, knife and cookware care.
The Panhandler stocks cookware, bakeware, ovenware, kitchen tools, electrics, some place settings and does a great job with knives. Prices are "not dirt-cheap" but they are "competitive." (Thanks NYMag and Eve Caxton!) MGR
AT Readers: Comment & vote below....
And they have the best supply/range of colored sugar sprinkles in the city!
I love that New York Cake & Baking place on 22nd just east of 6th for that. It has a wonderful range of sanding sugar, silver balls, sprinkles, shaped sugary bits, little flower things and all sorts of other baking supplies and hardware. I've also bought a bunch of little wedding cake bridesmaids there...
Are they still doing the occaisional cooking demo? I went to a couple of those a few years ago. It was a lot of fun!