5. Sustainable NYC, 139 Avenue A, between 9th and 10th Street

Feel slightly less guilty about indulging your consumerist cravings at Sustainable NYC, a beautiful shop across from Tompkins Square that stocks local organic, re-purposed, biodegradable, and Fair Trade cosmetics, clothes, home goods, and gifts. The convenient health food cafe in the store provides respite in the event that the overwhelming selection amps up your hunger for a spinach and feta biscuit. The best thing about Sustainable might be the fact that they carry six flavors of the celebrated vegan ice cream from Lula’s Sweet Apothecary a few blocks away. (Lula’s is currently closed, and normally has much more limited hours than Sustainable NYC.) Vegans and omnivores alike swear that the lack of lactose does not deduct from taste and texture.