Memories of New York in NoMad

An iconic souvenir shop with a one-of-a-kind owner.

For Alper Tutus, owner of the NoMad souvenir shop Memories of New York, the neighborhood is more than a home to his successful retail business — it’s also a legacy of history and culture, a neighborhood that has been shaped by its past and its vibrant present. At 206 Fifth Avenue, Memories of New York is a one-stop gift shop; a place to find something for everyone on your shopping list. From pencils and postcards to figurines and snow globes, the beloved shop has it all.

Tutus, who has worked the sales floor and overseen the store’s operations almost every day for the last 27 years, is a historian and witness to the great changes of the Flatiron and NoMad districts. He painstakingly prepared and printed
a 50-page booklet in 2016 that chronicles the history of Flatiron/Nomad, and includes photos and beautiful illustrations (prepared by his daughter) of the historical buildings and many of its famed residents, including Herman Melville, Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, Thomas Edison, and J.P. Morgan.

Originally from Istanbul, Tutus was a successful entrepreneur with a chain of 30+ electronics stores and was a rep for Motorola in the Middle East. He had not planned on moving to the United States, but in the mid-1980s he came for a business trip and brought along his wife and two daughters. When the 16-day trip was over, the family did not want to return to Istanbul and soon after made a new home for themselves in Great Neck on Long Island.

Tutus tells NOMAD Magazine that his first store in New York was in the Twin Towers. He was there for about seven years before moving to his current location in NoMad. He uses his experience in retail and innate customer service skills to develop and sell an assortment of exciting gifts that he said “keep the customers coming back!” His key team, who he describes as family, have been with him for years, helping to run the item-intensive store. Memories of New York is open every day from 9 am – 9 pm. If you happen to stop by Memories of New York in NoMad, make sure to ask for Tutus.