Off the Beaten Path in New York: the Charms of C.O. Bigelow

By Alex Rose

The old-fashioned apothecary claims, "If you can't get it anywhere else, try C.O. Bigelow." How true. Shoppers boast: "This is the coolest drugstore on the planet-- a retro little shop in NYC's West Village, where Mark Twain once filled his prescriptions!" Again, how true. This local landmark has more than the usual fare you'll find on the shelf at the local chain drug store. It has an unparalleled selection of hard-to-find cosmetics and homeopathic remedies for everyone. The best thing about these items though is that they are hand-picked and road-tested by the store's owner, Ian Ginsberg. He travels the world over in search of unique products that really work for his customers. For example, specialty items include: a cinnamon-peppermint concentrated mouthwash from the London pharmacy D.R. Harris, Crystal Eye Gel with a witch hazel potion known to improve tired-looking eyes in ten minutes, a Proraso menthol shaving cream from Florence, Italy, a Propoline First-Aid Balsam from Apitiva, Greece (which contains calendula and aloe known to heal minor sunburns as well as blisters on feet), almost the entire line of Acqua di Parma products from Italy, and London's George F. Trumper brand of personal care products for gentlemen. And Bigelow's long list of distinguished names that have popped in to shop since its founding in 1838 include the Roosevelts and John Belushi as well as current celebrities. Next time you're in NYC, make time to visit this gem.