Photo by bjmccray.

As part of our ticket voucher giveaway contest for the off-Broadway show Old Jews Telling Jokes, we asked you to send in descriptions of your favorite local Upper West Side stores. And we got some great ones! Check them out below and vote for your favorite at the bottom.

The poll is now closed. Thanks so much to everyone who entered and voted. The winner was Levain Bakery. Read through the descriptions below to learn more about all the great small stores we have on the Upper West Side.

Update: We’ve heard from a couple of people that they have been having trouble voting in the contest. If you are having trouble voting, please leave a comment on the story with your vote and your initials. As in “Murray’s Sturgeon Shop, JM.”  (Please only do this if the computer isn’t picking up your vote. We’ll be able to tell if someone votes and adds a comment with their vote from the same computer.) Our apologies to anyone who has had difficulty voting.

The person whose store with the most votes as of 12 p.m. on Monday, October 8 will win the voucher. (Editor’s note: two people mention Knitty City, so the poll mentions them separately, and you have to decide which of the two descriptions you like more. Also, one person entered twice, but each of their favorite places will be counted separately — we won’t combine the votes for each of their places for the giveaway.)

We’ll list them in the order we received them:

Joseph’s Pharmacy, south side of 72nd St. between Broadway and West End The store is a “grandparent trap.”  My 2 year old granddaughter asks to be taken to visit the “yellow truck ride” out in front of the store.   (See attached picture)  Of course, everyone is friendly and helpful…it’s an old time UWS service oriented store.   But, the best part is that it’s IMPOSSIBLE to get to the back of the store to pick up your prescriptions without passing a wall of toys and stickers in each aisle.  Why does a small drug store with limited space stock so many shelves with toys?   Because it’s a “grandparent trap,” that why !  I’m a grandparent and I love it. (Harriet)

Soutine Bakery (104 W 70th off Columbus)   When I knead a great cake, pie, pastry or sandwich, I give my dough to Soutine. They take the cake. They rise to the occasion with their custom cakes and holiday treats – there’s no one batter!  Give them a try – it’s the yeast you can do. (Lee)

Murray’s Sturgeon Shop at 2429 Broadway I love Murray’s! They expert way in which they cut lox there is like a dance, it’s just beautiful– every person behind the counter is a lox master.  Also, they always give me tastes of everything I mention without my even asking to try.  No matter how long it has been, they always remember me. I also love standing in line with all the old Jews on a weekend morning and chatting about Nova. Their tuna salad and lox are world class. (Jessica)

Knitty City, 208 West 79th Street best small upper west side store…Pearl Chin a long time manhattanite opened this yarn(knitting and crocheting and other fibery goodness)store Jan 3 2006.. this January will be its 7th birthday.  It is the Cheers equivalent of knitting.. Everybody knows your name….An eclectic group of global crafters can be found at the back table.  Group lessons for beginners and the super advanced are available as well as private lessons…. Definitely worth a visit to see the strange and usual bags the store carries… A box for your medical marijuana to an old lady knitting duffel…. (Sara)

Knitty City 208 West 79th Street I’m an old Jew.  I love hearing and telling jokes, and I also love to knit.  That’s why Knitty City is my favorite small west side store.  I can go in there, hang out with other knitters, tell some jokes, get some gossip, and buy some really great yarn!  The owner and staff are delightful and always helpful, with suggestions about their great yarns.  The owner treats me like family (even though I’m not), and gives my disabled adult daughter treats every time she’s with me when we stop by.  They’ve been around for six years — I wish them 114 more! (Margaret)

A Tempo on Columbus and 74th is one of my favorite stores. Really nice mid-range to high end dresses and accessories are packed into this small store, which has been in the neighborhood for a long time. You can help but stop and look at the window displays when you walk by. (Robin)

Barbara Gee Danskin Center – Broadway Between 82nd and 83rd I love this store because it is cramped, you can’t really be private in the make-shift dressing room and they don’t have a HUGE selection. But It is perfect; just the right amount of stuff and EXACTLY the way it was when I was in high school. The women who work there are exceedingly patient and accommodating and  will climb on  a ladder to find your size in little boxes piled on the high shelves.  The store is  a reminder to slow down the pace long enough to have a nice memory. (Abigail)

Beacon Hardware on Amsterdam and 78th I love Beacon hardware on Amsterdam.  The guys there know everything, are happy to give you advice and help you track down a part or a tool that you need.  They are fairly priced and always friendly. And they support the community with charitable efforts.  But the icing on the cake is that they always give my dog a biscuit, he’d like to visit them every day whether we need anything or not! (Linda)

Levain Bakery on 74th and Amsterdam What’s not to love about Levain Bakery? Everything they make is delicious and with natural ingredients.  They are cheerful and friendly and care about the people in the neighborhood.  Every night they donate whatever they haven’t sold to City Harvest.  I can only imagine the delight of someone in need in getting a Levain cookie!!  And best of all, they come out to the sidewalk and give my dog a bit of scone every day!! (Linda)

The Global Table: 471 Amsterdam Ave (between 82 & 83) What’s NOT to love about the Global Table?  You get an immediate sense of calm when you enter the store.  Not only are the sales associates the best in the neighborhood, but they carry the most unique gifts that are appropriate for every occasion   This is my go-to store when I need a gift for a housewarming, birthday, etc.  The gifts are so unique and you can tell the owner put a lot of thought into the products carries.  The only place to go for table-top and home accessories. (Courtney)

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