Visitors who enjoy the Museum's restored tenement apartments will want to stop by its distinctive antique store, Home Economics, at 90 Orchard Street.

Much of the historic fabric of this corner storefront is intact, including the tin ceilings and a 14-foot wooden counter that dates from the early 20th century. Store director Pamela Keech, who is also The Tenement’s curator of furnishings, handpicks household items from the past that possess the acquired beauty that only comes with years of loving use. Merchandise includes interesting vintage furniture, fanciful lamps, collectible glassware and china, handmade linens and quilts, old kitchen tools, sparkling costume jewelry and irresistible hats.

An ephemera area features New York City memorabilia and postcards, photographs, vintage sheet music, old magazines, newspapers and books, and chairs in which to rest while perusing them.

Useful contemporary items with retro sensibility include books on housekeeping, decorating, entertaining, and collecting, greeting cards hand-produced by cutting-edge designers, souvenir dish towels, candles and bath products.