You know the economy is ailing when a Manhattan fashion boutique starts offering free soup.
The temporary fashion boutique calling itself The 1929 is selling chic clothes and giving away soup and coffee.
The store is located in one of the trendiest shopping districts in the city. Manager and co-owner Aaron Genuth says the store in lower Manhattan's SoHo district was inspired by the Great Depression of the 1930s.
His partner Levi Okunov says they want people to go to the store, have a bowl of soup and try on some clothing. The store sells the work of independent designers on its ground floor.
The basement is an art and performance space where the free nourishment is doled out. The store is expected to remain open through next month.
