Jen Brill Shops ‘Til She Drops At the Legendary Zitomer Pharmacy

All hail Zitomer, the Upper East Side pharmacy-slash-department store, where patrons of all ages can peruse its wares under the warm glow of neon signs and fluorescent lights. “I grew up on the Upper East Side, and even at a young age I knew that Zitomer was the most special and chic pharmacy in the world,” says Jen Brill, the founder of the creative agency BrillBrill Studio, about the New York institution. “My best friend lived across the street, and it was the only place we could go because it was so close. The neon prescription sign says it all. You can’t even really call it a pharmacy—it’s more of a department store because you can get anything from Falke stockings to spiral notebooks to children’s clothes.” Here, she lists her Zitomer must-haves, including essential hair accessories and unbeatable hosiery.

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GRETHER’S PASTILLES BLACKCURRANT

“Tasteless wax tablets with a tiny bit of flavor.”

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A BLACK VELVET HEADBAND

“Zitomers has the best selection of hair accessories in the universe—any color, any texture, any material. Perfect for kids.”

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MEAD SPIRAL NOTEBOOK

“You can get a Mead notebook anywhere, but it felt better getting it here.”

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FOGAL TIGHTS

“Amazing hosiery selection.”

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PRESCRIPTION REFILL

“I don’t get my prescriptions here, but if I did, I would get them here just to have the logo on the bottle. Not that I take any medication or anything.”