By Katherine Kelly
Our little area of the Bronx offers a variety of tourist activities such as the Bronx Zoo, Botanical Gardens and Little Italy on Arthur Ave. However, many Bronx visitors and residents can overlook the abundant and affordable shopping options that Fordham Road has to offer. Fordham Road is home to the largest shopping district in the Bronx and the third largest in the city. Stores stretch from Webster Avenue to Jerome Avenue, providing the convenience of a variety of mom-and-pop shops and 300 big box stores.
Located adjacent to campus, Fordham Road shopping has become a favorite activity for many Fordham students. However, many students have never ventured far along Fordham Road or taken the time to stop and look while racing to the subway. Some have yet to experience the selections, sales and enjoyment that Fordham Road shopping supplies.
Whether shopping for a specific item or just going for a day out with friends, shopping on Fordham Road provides the utmost convenience. A shopping spree is an effortless activity for students and residents in the Bronx. Residents of the Bronx do not have to leave their neighborhood to buy clothing, furniture, shoes or office supplies.
Fashion favorites include brand-named stores like American Eagle Outfitters, Gap and Nine West. Footwear brands like Foot Locker and Payless Shoe Source supply fresh kicks for athletic, work and leisure purposes. In addition to brand-name corporations, the large shopping district is home to several unique stores. Fordham Road favorites like Easy Pickins, Dr. Jay’s Ladies and Celine offer options for a night out outfit, including fun, sparkly and colorful items to spice up your wardrobe.
Retailers like these also serve as the perfect place to find odds and ends for dressing up for a senior night, theater performance or Halloween. If you are feeling generous, Fordham Road presents many choices for gift giving. During the holiday season, Fordham Road becomes filled with customers looking for the perfect gift and sale.
Kelly Davis, FCRH ’16, found shopping on Fordham Road to be either a blessing or a bust.
“Either you find 80 awesome things or absolutely nothing,” she said. Davis loves spontaneous trips down Fordham Road, especially to find accessories for dance costumes.
Fordham Road does not only provide selections for fashion, but also has practical stores, like Modell’s, TJ Maxx and Target. These stores are great for getting the necessary appliances for college students’ apartments and dorms. An additional benefit for college students, who are glued to their phones and laptops, is that Fordham Road has multiple phone service and technology stores such as Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint and Best Buy. Having these stores at such close proximity saves students the time and expense of taking a trip to Manhattan, a benefit for college students whose only time to shop might be after class.
What makes the shopping experience on Fordham Road is not just its unique and endless options, but also its great deals. Many discount outlets on Fordham Road exist for the savvy shopper. J & J Discount, Webster 99 Cent Store and Save-A-Thon target shoppers who are looking for deals. The affordable merchandise found in the retailers reflects the inexpensive rent space. The low rent allows such vast numbers of merchants to stay in business despite competition from neighboring venues.
Moreover, Fordham Road is known for its accessibility and versatility. Fordham Road can be reached by shoppers near and far via the 4, B, D or Metro-North trains. If in need of withdrawing some funds for a Bronx shopping spree, Fordham Road has several banks that can be accessed before one begins spending money. When customers have shopped until they have dropped, they can take a break to eat at a wide selection of food vendors. A complete list of food vendors, banks and stores can be found at fordhamroadbid.org.
As the snow melts and warm weather approaches, and students need a break from studying, they should take a stroll down Fordham Road and take advantage of the endless affordable and fun options that its shopping facilities offer.
