Once again, the location at 20th street and 6th avenue has transformed itself. First a church, then an 80’s nightclub, this cathedral is now a shopping emporium. When walking into the Limelight you think to yourself, “I’m shopping in an ecclesiastical environment?” And, yes, you are. Despite the interior renovation, which is charming and edgy, the space still feels like a church, with its old architecture and stainless glass windows. Even though you might not understand where you are, spending some time in this marketplace is worth it. It’s crazy to think that you’re shopping in a place that was once the hottest nightclubs in my parent’s day.
Here’s what you’ll find at Limelight Marketplace: small representations of food, alcohol, clothing, accessories, shoes, a spa, art galleries, and more. Most of the vendors don’t have other locations in the city, so it’s a real treat to be able to shop at the likes of Hunter Boots, Havaiana Sandals, and the Cupcake Truck – just to name a few. It’s the best of every category.
What’s sold at the Limelight is definitely an eclectic mix; everything is with a twist. For example, instead of buying the typical red velvet cake, you can buy checkerboard red velvet cake combined with chocolate and vanilla (so good!).
The feeling that you get when in the Limelight is like being on a scavenger hunt. There is so much to do, to see, and you feel like you need to explore it all. The vibe that you get when walking around is full of energy and adventure, two great feelings to have when exploring a new shopping environment.
Amy, a costumer at the Limelight says, “I remember the Limelight from the dancing days when it was a dark and wild environment. Now it’s a bright, lively, eclectic mix of shops.”
Sunny Rovitz, a junior, stated, “I think that the Limelight is a very cool place to shop and is different than other places that you go to in NYC and that it’s a good mix of different stores; it almost brings a mall to NYC that we don’t really get.”
The Limelight is reminiscent of the good old days of Henri Bendel when shopping was set up just like this. Shopping in vendor kiosks were once in, then out, and now back again. The Limelight Marketplace is open Monday through Saturday, from 10am to 10pm, and on Sundays from 11am to 8pm.