Memento

West 10th Street has its share of quirks—Memento fits right in. A photo booth operation that keeps things simple, it occupies a slice of the Village where sidewalks still feel like they belong to the neighborhood. The address, 169 W 10th St New York, NY 10014, places it among the kind of low-key storefronts that don’t need flashy signage to be found. No frills, no gimmicks; just a place that does one thing and does it without fanfare. Women-owned, which in this part of town means it’s likely run with the kind of efficiency that comes from knowing exactly what’s needed—and what isn’t.

Photo booths are a relic in the best sense, and this one doesn’t pretend to be anything else. Need a quick set of prints for an ID, a spontaneous strip of memories, or just proof you were there? It’s the sort of spot you stumble into when the occasion calls for it—or when you realize you’ve walked past it a dozen times without noticing. Practical details: there’s a phone line for questions, though it’s the kind of place where showing up probably answers them faster. Directions are straightforward if you’re already wandering the grid below 14th Street; if not, the map will do.