Kiehl’s Since 1851 – Third Ave, New York

Kiehl’s Since 1851 is a historic skincare and apothecary shop on Third Avenue at East 13th Street in New York’s East Village. The store stands on the same corner where Kiehl’s began as a neighborhood pharmacy in 1851, making it one of the oldest continuously operating apothecary locations in the city and the flagship of a brand now known around the world.

The shop’s elegant dark green storefront, with its classic wooden window frames, gold lettering and corner entrance, is one of the most charming shopfronts on Third Avenue. Inside, shelves of the brand’s signature simple, pharmacy-style bottles and jars sit alongside vintage apothecary details that give the store an old-world feel.

Kiehl’s grew from a small homeopathic pharmacy into a skincare name after a former apprentice, Irving Morse, bought the business in the 1920s, and the Morse family later developed many of the formulas the brand is still known for. Customer favorites include Ultra Facial Cream, Creme de Corps body moisturizer, Lip Balm #1 and Midnight Recovery Concentrate, along with hair care, men’s grooming and fragrance-free options for sensitive skin.

The flagship is also famous for its quirky touches, including the vintage motorcycles displayed in the store, a nod to the Morse family’s love of motorcycles, and the brand’s long-standing tradition of offering samples so customers can try products before they buy. Knowledgeable staff are on hand to recommend products and talk through skin concerns.

Kiehl’s sits in a lively part of the East Village, a short walk from Union Square and the 3rd Avenue L train station, surrounded by cafés, bookstores and boutiques. Whether you’re stocking up on a favorite moisturizer or looking for a thoughtful gift, the original Kiehl’s on Third Avenue is a beautiful piece of New York shopping history.

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