Father's Day 2011: 5 Best Places For Last Minute Gifts
AC Gears
69 E. 8th St.
New York, NY 10003
(212) 260-2269
acgears.com
AC Gears is the antidote to cookie-cutter, blockbuster chain stores and the same-old same-old. When it comes to innovative, how-do-they-do-that electronics, these guys aren't just ahead of the curve, they invented the curve. If you think it hasn't been thought of yet, it's probably already here. Case in point: the Miniature Golf Game Alarm Clock at $29.99. Half alarm clock and half mini-golf game, the cheering-fans alarm won't stop until the steel ball goes into the hole. There's one for basketball lovers, too. Play mode lets dad compete with friends and family to his heart's content. If you're a really good kid, you'll let him win every time.
Karp's Homebrew Shop
2 Larkfield Road
East Northport, NY 11731
(631) 261-1573
homebrewshop.com
Family-owned hardware store Karp's features over 40,000 items for the do-it-your-selfer dad, plus something extra. If the dad in your life has a craving for home-brew, Karp's offers full-service homebrewing and winemaking supplies and kits. Choose from over 50 kits, including Amber Ale, American Steam-Style, Vienna Lager, Brown Ale or Irish Stout, all for under $95. All kits make five gallons of "I-made-it-myself" brew. Not a bad day's work for a typical Father's Day. If you can't make the 30-minute hoof out to East Northport, don't fret–Karp's ships to NYC.Related: NYC's 4 Best Craft Beer Bars
B&H Photo Video and Pro-Audio
420 Ninth Ave.
New York, NY 10001
(212) 444-6615
bhphotovideo.com
For the dad who has everything, including a rich kid, New York institution B&H is the place to scoop the coveted, Sony DEV-3 Digital Recording Binoculars. For a mere $1,398, these bad boys record Full HD 1080/60p 3d Video, take 7.1MP Images, and have optical Steadyshot with active mode and optical 10x magnification. Don't need adjustable interpupillary distance mode? Not to worry. B&H has a full range of binoculars and scopes starting at under $10. And for those hard-pressed for time, order by 4 p.m. on weekdays for same-day shipment to dad's front door.
Zabar's
2245 Broadway
New York, NY 10024
(212) 787-2000
zabars.com
Brand-new goodies are featured this year in Zabar's Father's Day Basket and Father's Day Crate. If dad's a meat lover, go for the Basket at $219. Chock-full of Zabar's famous corned beef, roast turkey, salami, pastrami and chicken sausage, the Basket is complemented by a variety of seasonings, mustard and sourdough rye bread plus a #1 Dad cookie that lets him know he's the very best. He may not be able to move for a week after enjoying all his goodies, but it'll be well worth it. Is dad more of a snack-attack kind of guy? If so, he'll love the Crate at $119. Filled to the brim with chocolate babka, cheesesticks, pistachios, smoked almonds and salami, the Crate has a taste treat to match every craving. Prices include one-day shipping to anywhere in the U.S.
Dijital Fix
218 Bedford Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 388-2720
dijitalfix.com
Dijital Fix may be the coolest gadget store around, featuring tons of in-store demo units for you to play with, plus audio equipment, cameras and art supplies. If you haven't a clue what dad will want for Father's Day, this is the place to get inspired. Gift ideas here fit every budget, but if your dad is a newness junkie, you have got to go for the Elevation iPhone Dock at $120 retail. The Dock was the first Kickstarter Projectto ever hit $1 million. Dijital Fix was one of the first backers of this amazing product and will have it in stock for Father's Day.Related: 4 Father's Day Gifts for the New York Dad (Under $25)
Corey Whelan is a freelance writer in New York. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
