With an endless series of bars and restaurants marking the middle ground between Union Square and the Lower East Side, this part of third ave is one part destination, and one part neighborhood. With plenty of dorms in the surrounding area, this place is lousy with students and other fake-ID-holders. 

For such a major street, I'm a bit surprised it isn't more "over" developed. The only major chain of note is Duane Reade, and it's never surprising to find one of those. Most of the restaurants and stores appear to be locally-owned.