East River Plaza Shopping in NYC — A Complete Guide

General Shopping Center Information

10 Nearby Attractions & Locations

Approximate distances from East River Plaza by walking. This area is less dense with shopping districts.

5 Featured Stores

1. Costco Wholesale
2. Target
3. ALDI
4. Marshalls
5. PetSmart

Relevant Stores and Services

1. Costco Wholesale
2. Target
3. ALDI
4. Marshalls
5. Bob’s Discount Furniture
6. Planet Fitness
7. Old Navy
8. Burlington
9. PetSmart
10. Carter’s
11. Ashley Stewart
12. GameStop
13. T-Mobile
14. Verizon
15. Applebee’s Grill + Bar
16. Starbucks
17. Costco Food Court

This center is focused on large anchor tenants, not small boutiques.

Dining Options (Featured Restaurants)

Dining is casual and limited, focused on quick meals for shoppers.

1. Costco Food Court (Requires Membership)
2. Applebee’s Grill + Bar
3. Starbucks
4. Dunkin’ Donuts
5. Panda Express

Pet-Friendly

No. Unlike luxury malls, East River Plaza is not a pet-friendly facility. Only certified service animals are permitted inside the individual stores (Costco, Target, PetSmart, etc.). PetSmart, however, does allow leashed pets inside its own store.

Sustainability and Environmental Policy

The primary sustainable feature of East River Plaza is its land use.

• • Vertical Density: As a “vertical power center,” it stacks big-box stores on top of each other, drastically reducing the physical footprint compared to a traditional suburban shopping center.
  • Brownfield Redevelopment: The complex was built on a “brownfield” site (a former industrial wire factory) that was remediated for this new use.

* Transit Access: While auto-focused, it is also accessible via the 6 train and M116 bus, promoting public transit use.

Useful Tips for Visitors

• • Go for Practical Shopping: This is not a tourist destination. Go here if you are an extended-stay visitor or resident needing groceries (Costco, ALDI), clothing (Marshalls, Old Navy), or home goods (Target, Bob’s).
  • Costco Membership: You MUST have a Costco membership to shop inside Costco and use its food court.
  • Bring Your Own Bags: ALDI requires you to bring your own bags or purchase them.

* Parking is Key: The center is designed for drivers. It’s one of the easiest places in Manhattan to park, shop for heavy/bulk items, and load your car.

• Crowds: Weekends are extremely busy, with long lines for parking and check-out. Go on a weekday morning for the best experience.

Fun Facts

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• This complex is home to Manhattan’s first-ever Costco Wholesale.
• It is also home to one of the first ALDI supermarkets in New York City.
• The site was formerly the “Washburn Wire Factory,” a major industrial site that was abandoned for decades before this redevelopment.
• The center’s “vertical stacking” design (with stores on multiple floors connected by escalators and cart-escalators) is rare in the U.S. but common in dense Asian and European cities.

District Rules and Procedures

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• • Each store (Target, Costco, Marshalls) operates as its own entity with its own rules, return policies, and hours.
  • Shopping carts are equipped with special wheels that lock if you try to take them off the plaza’s property.

* Parking Validation: Some stores may offer parking validation if you spend a certain amount. Check signs or ask at checkout.

• Only service animals are permitted (except in PetSmart).

Other Services and Infrastructure

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• Parking Garage: A 1,200+ space paid parking garage.
• Costco Services: Includes a Tire Center, Pharmacy, and Optical Department (membership required).
• Target Services: Often includes a CVS Pharmacy and “Order Pickup” service.
• ATMs: Available throughout the complex.