#20: Iconic Magazines

The Shop: Iconic Magazines

Bowery: 168 Mulberry St

Iconic Magazines is an “only in New York” type spot. For the uninformed, this store is basically just a small, typical lower east side bodega with the most epic magazine rack of all time (three of them actually). Iconic lives up to its name with a selection of glossy mags both foreign and domestic. While most focus on lifestyle, fashion, and photography (seemingly a good fit for Cooper Union types), there are a few more literary and newsy picks like Monocle and Wired. I’m a magazine person ever since my youth reading my dad’s Esquires and mom’s New Yorkers on the toilet— and I never leave home without one (also a book, a comic, and several predownlaoded podcasts). Fellow magazine people, here’s your spot to stock up!

What I got:

The Believer Summer 2021 Issue

I would definitely be less pretentious had I not picked up my first Believer issue back in high school but it's far too late now. I don’t read The Believer often (it’s like $15 bucks), but when I do it rocks. One of the most aesthetically charming magazines in town, this red hued issue promises bits from Jeff Tweedy, José Orduña, and of course what Nick Hornby is reading this month. After years of reading his column I still have no idea how Nick Hornby has time to read so much and still write novels and presumably do laundry and cook like the rest of us! Unfortunately this particular issue got soaked on a stormy bike ride back to Brooklyn so I’ll be reading this one extra crinkly style.