Leo Roars Quietly On Bleecker

Bleecker Street’s transformation from quaint West Village thoroughfare to hipster epicenter is no longer news. As The Shophound strolls past stores like Ralph Lauren’s trio of superfluous, claustrophobic mini-shops and Brunello Cucinelli’s more spacious temple to luxury cashmere (wouldn’t this elegant boutique be more at home on Madison?), it is comforting to see an example of the kind of beautifully maintained store that made Bleecker a desirable location in the first place. Leo Design is one of these stores.

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Located at the end of the trendy section of Bleecker, near Hudson street, Leo sells gifts and antiques, what the street was once known for, and specializes in Art Ceramics from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, among other home furnishings and accessories. Everything represents a superb taste level, eclectically mixing antiques with new products such as Bill Amberg’s leathergoods But it’s not just the appealing merchandise that sets this store apart. This is a typically compact shop, nearly bursting with goods, but what could be a cluttered mess is kept as one of the most meticulously merchandised shops in the city. Every display flows on to the next, with pottery arranged by color punctuated by a front table full of hammered copperware. The simple but engaging window displays never fail to entice the Shophound to enter. As Bleecker becomes increasingly populated by corporate outposts, The shophound is relieved to see an independent shop making a statement that more than stands up to the big boys.

Leo Design 413 Bleecker St. between Bank & West 11th Streets