Welcome to the continuing saga of the Greater Gotham Shopping Series. This week’s episode is Union Square: The Comeback.

If you had told me 20 years ago that the Union Square and Flatiron districts were going to end up being one of my shopping destinations of choice, I would have told you that you were out of your mind. First off, it was where I worked so I generally fled as soon as possible and wasn’t about to spend more time there on the weekends. Sure, I went through there to get to the shopping but I didn’t linger. Not much anyway.

Oh, I knew the place was awash in shopping history. It was part of Ladies Mile, after all - the shopping mecca of the mid-19th century. Home to Wanamakers, the original Macy’s Lord & Taylor’s and Tiffany’s. But nothing lasts forever. Over the intervening years, the neighborhood went into decline and stayed there until the Union Square Partnership (the city’s first Business Improvement District) took shape 30 years ago.

Now instead of hurrying away or avoiding the park all together, people flock there for events, rallies (an occasional mass pillow fight) and of course, the Union Square Greenmarket.

The south side of park used to face a very dated, run down commercial building that was empty for years and which gave the whole place a feeling of neglect and abandonment. Now that same street is home to Whole Foods, Filene’s Basement and DSW Shoes, Forever 21 not to mention mega movie theaters (stadium seating at last!) and serves as a much more inviting frame to smaller and equally delightful stores dotted about the surrounding blocks.

On the opposite end of the park is the home base of Barnes & Noble, housed in a beautiful 1880 building with cast iron columns and detailing. In the blocks surrounding the north end, you’ll find Fishs Eddy, ABC Carpet and Home (a shopping destination worthy of discussion on it’s own - and don’t worry, we shall) and Paragon Sporting Goods Company.

Around the perimeter of Union Square and in the adjacent blocks, you will find restaurants and eateries to suit every palate and budget. Places like Zen Palate, Coffee Shop, Union Square Cafe, Old Town Bar, Blue Water Grill, Chat’n'Chew, Steak Frites, and Republic along with the yumminess of the greenmarket and other area street vendors.

All of which means that you can shop till you drop, refuel and shop some more. For more information on what there is to do and see and buy in the Union Square area, check out the Union Square Partnership where you can find maps, a schedule of events and area directories