Once I stumbled upon the preppy little bastion of Bronxville, it became one of my favorite destinations for experiencing how the one-percenters shop, dine, and otherwise while away their time (JFK’s family even called a local manse home during his adolescence!). For old-fashioned charm, it’s hard to beat this town full of sweet mom-and-pop boutiques, iconic businesses, and excellent eateries. There’s always something timeless to discover here: Sequins, skulls, and other here-today, gone-tomorrow trends are refreshingly absent.
10 am
Mingle with locals while you get a jolt of java and a slice of pumpkin bread at Slave to the Grind (58 Pondfield Rd; 914-961-7777), a refreshing retro blast from the days before Starbucks.
10:30 am
Duck into gourmet goodie shop Candy Rox (66 Pondfield Rd; 914-779-6750) to pick up old-school treats for later, then check out the timeless women’s fashions and layering staples at2 Toney Toni & the Gang (70 Pondfield Rd; 914-793-0737).
11 am
Browse the carefully curated collection of honest-to-goodness books with pages at longtime indie bookseller Womrath Books (76 Pondfield Rd; 914-337-0199).
11:30 am
Cross the street for one of our favorite gift shops The Silk Road (101 Pondfield Rd; 914-337-2177) to browse an enticing collection of home, fashion, and personal accessories.
Noon
Stop into third-generation La Gravinese Jewelers (115 Pondfield Rd; 914-337-0923) to pet adorable golden retriever Lotus while admiring classic jewelry.
12:30 pm
Cross back over Pondfield to Savanna at Home (116 Pondfield Rd; 914-337-9400) for an eclectic mix of furniture, including new custom pieces, consigned finds, and antique treasures.
1pm
Pick up a yummy football-shaped cookie to enjoy after lunch at 80-plus-year bakery Topp’s (106 Pondfield Rd; 914-337-4258). Just beyond is that aforementioned lunch: Try a Marilyn Monroe sandwich with house-roasted honey-maple turkey at Lange’s Deli of Bronxville (94 Pondfield Rd; 914-337-3354). Or, walk down Park and make a left onto Kraft and fall into traditional Irish pub J.C. Fogarty’s (60 Kraft Ave; 914-337-1122).
2pm
From the bottom of Park, make a right onto Kraft to explore the snug Kensington Paper (82 Kraft Ave; 914-793-2619) and its personalized stationery, invitations, and clever hostess gifts.
2:30 pm
Finally, if you have or love any little ones, pop into Adrian East (122 Kraft Ave; 914-337-0475). The upscale children’s boutique is the new incarnation of former longtime town fixture Fierson’s.
