Among these obscure boutiques are specialized vintage shops like David Owens Vintage Clothing and Frock, unique sneaker shops such as Alife Rivington Club and Nort 235 (Best of New York Winners, Best Sneakers 2003 and 2004), and art galleries like Melissa Bent and Mirabelle Marden's Rivington Arms.

By then, we will be further along into what Betty Friedan calls the "second stage of feminism"--when men assume a larger role in child care, when men's desires for self-fulfillment beyond their jobs meet women's struggles for alife outside the home, and when these two forces combine to achieve an equitable balance between the sexes and between work and home responsibilities.

alife: alife was opened in October of 1999 on Orchard Street in New York City's legendary Lower East Side with a mission to create a cultural exchange center that encompassed retail, art exhibition, and design with focus on quality of execution and relevance.