For those of us with an insatiable curiosity about niche perfumes, Stéle is the closest thing to a playground. This fragrance boutique has two locations, one in Nolita and one in Williamsburg, each with slightly differing inventory to cater to the nuanced tastes of each consumer base (and while many may argue that Williamsburg is basically the new Soho, it is nice to have a shop that recognizes the distinction between Manhattan and Brooklyn). Both locations are treasure boxes, beautifully designed with natural textures, stunning perfume bottles sparkling like jewels on the marble shelves.

Where Stéle excels is in curation. Founded by two fragrance enthusiasts with impeccable taste and global awareness, Stéle is made for the consumers who have outgrown the popular brands like Le Labo and Byredo. It’s the antithesis of a crowded department store perfume counter, and surprisingly not olfactorily overwhelming for a fragrance shop. While neither of the shops are by any means large and there’s a lot of product crammed in, it’s remarkably visually uncluttered. The stores are outfitted with undulating rows of marble shelving in shades of beige, gray and rosy browns, a perfect backdrop for browsing. If you’re in the know, you’ll be excited to find some hard to come by fragrance brands sourced from around the world. If you’re not sure where to start, the knowledgeable staff can guide you to some contenders based on your preferred scent profiles. Here, the smell is just one part of the story. Many of these brands are beautifully designed, bottles like works of art ready to grace a vanity, and inspired by places and nature and feelings from diverse perspectives around the world.