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Shop Local

Small Shops, Big Impact

November 30, 2015 By Mirielle Clifford Filed Under: Part of the Solution, Shop Local Tagged With: christmas, holidays, shop local, small business

Take a stroll down Park Slope’s Fifth Avenue, or Seventh Avenue, or head on east through Grand Army Plaza into Prospect Heights. Here’s what you’ll find: proof that a strong, locally-owned business economy is good for the community. You will encounter a dizzying selection of unique gifts to help you whittle down your holiday shopping list (phew!), as well as a diverse group of business owners whose investment in the community makes Park Slope and the surrounding area the place to give back while you shop.

There are plenty of statistics showing just how important it is to shop small.

Usually, a higher percentage of the revenue created in a small, locally-owned business will stay in the local economy, when compared to a big-box retailer’s revenue; small businesses tend to create more and better-paying jobs, and the existence of a myriad local businesses spurs competition and innovation, meaning you’re more likely to find unique, high-quality items at reasonable prices. And nationwide, “non-profit organizations receive an average 250 percent more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses,” according to the organization Loyal to Local. In Park Slope, many business owners live in the neighborhood or nearby. Park Slope is not just somewhere they work; rather, it’s a place they work to improve.

The ways in which local business owners give back are as varied as the kinds of stores you’ll find here. These good deeds range from free origami lessons at local fairs, provided by Taro’s Origami, to donating all profits to charity, as Life Boutique Thrift donates its profits to Chai Lifeline, an organization that helps Jewish children with life-threatening illnesses. Many businesses also participate in A Taste of Fifth, an annual event occurring in April. Attendees can sample food and drink from local restaurants and watering holes, and the proceeds benefit several local charities, like Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX) and Good Shepherd Services.

At Bhoomki, which appropriately describes itself as “ethically fashioned,” you can find luscious designs made from eco-friendly fabric by traditional artisans. Bhoomki’s owner, Swati Argade, says her store has “become a destination for people who want to buy ethically.” She feels lucky to be able to “provide that service” to shoppers. Every year, Bhoomki donates some of its wares to benefit various charities, like the Rainforest Alliance, and supports local public and private schools by donating gift certificates. When I told Argade that, nationwide, nonprofits receive more in donations from local businesses than they do from big chains, she was not surprised. She imagines that “there’s probably a lot of red tape involved” for larger companies, whereas she, as a small business owner, is in her store three or four days a week. “It’s very easy to reach me,” she says.

The fact that local business owners make a point of giving back is especially impressive given just how difficult it is to own a small business, in any neighborhood. Owners in the area face what Mark Caserta, Executive Director of the Park Slope Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District, calls a “citywide problem”: ever-increasing rents. As property value increases, so do the rents.

Frank Ling, senior teacher and manager of Taro’s Origami, says that rising rents are the “main threat” to business owners. Every day, he passes shuttered boutique stores on Seventh Avenue on his way to work. Many other business owners echo Ling and Caserta’s concerns. Chris Yanatiba, owner of Yanatiba in Prospect Heights, wonders if there is such a thing as “small” business anymore, given just how high rents are. Clarence Nathan, owner of Premium Goods, the go-to spot for sweet kicks, sums it up well: “retail business owners have it rough.”

Park Slope and the surrounding areas could go the way of neighborhoods like Brooklyn Heights, where many of the mom-and-pop stores have been replaced by chains. One resident of Brooklyn Heights feels that the local business scene there has lost much of its “substantive personality.” But Park Slope is holding on, and many local businesses have successfully adjusted to an economy that’s still sputtering after the recession. As Caserta says, business owners have to be innovative because, “fundamentally, people have changed the way they shop and go out” since 2008.

In spite of all that, Park Slope is a place where people want to see small businesses survive and flourish. I asked Clarence Nathan what he would say to encourage residents and visitors to shop small. He said that instead of encouraging shoppers, he “would like to thank them. To shop small is to WANT to support the small guy.” Many Park Slope residents do make the conscious decision to shop small; according to Nathan, they don’t feel the need to shop in “high-end districts,” walking around “with that recognizable shopping bag.”

I asked several store owners, though, whether customers could do more to support Park Slope’s vibrant local economy, given the challenges they face. Tabeel Rush, owner of Tabeel’s Aromatherapy Gift Shop & Salon, encourages residents and visitors to, first of all, explore the area, to come see what Park Slope has to offer. “Fifth Avenue has a lot of things going down,” Rush says, referring to the 500 small stores, bars, and restaurants on Fifth Avenue alone. And Rush knows Fifth Avenue well—her store is celebrating its twentieth anniversary this year. She encourages shoppers to “come in and talk to the people and experience the products” that local stores are offering.

You’re bound to discover something unexpected, and the Slope features a mix of veteran and new stores that are ripe for exploration. At Park Chemists—“where gift shop meets pharmacy”—you’ll find a thoughtful selection of holistic and naturally-based goods, in addition to amazing customer service. At this store, which opened in the summer of 2014, customers “feel like they come home” because they’re treated “like family,” says co-owner Gary Valevich.

So, this holiday season, take the time to explore. It’s important to do so, partially because Park Slope doesn’t experience the same level of foot traffic that booming neighborhoods like Williamsburg do. Swati Argade opened a second location, Bhoomki Home, in order to offer ethically made home furnishings, in November of 2014, but she had to close the store after only eight months. Many of her customers later told her they never got a chance to check out Bhoomki Home. They probably thought it would be around longer, but, the economic landscape that store owners face adds a sense of urgency.

That’s why it’s so important to make a conscious effort “to keep these stores alive,” and to help Park Slope keep its “small business character,” as Argade describes it. Once you’ve crossed the threshold into one of Park Slope’s unique boutiques, you’ll immediately notice some striking differences between these stores and big-box retailers. One is, as Clarence Nathan describes it, that local stores know their customers, and they focus on “selecting the right product” for shoppers. These store owners are like curators, diligently scouring Etsy and trade fairs in order to provide shoppers with a memorable selection. As Ann Lopatin Cantrell, owner of Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store, says, “We do our best to source items that are unique to our shop. One of my favorite parts of having a store is pulling together fun and clever merchandising stories. We always try to outdo ourselves each year,” she says, which is “good news for our customers.”

Customers who want to help ensure the success of their favorite stores don’t always need to spend money to do so (though this certainly helps). Valevich encourages satisfied customers to, in effect, advertise for their favorite shops through word of mouth. Customers can also spread the word via social media. Many stores maintain active accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms; Cantrell says she feels “grateful for all the social media love.”

If you spot something fantastic while shopping, snap a photo and tag the business. You can use hashtags like #shopsmall or, if you’re shopping on Fifth Avenue, #theother5th. And there’s an added benefit to following your favorite stores on social media: you’ll be one of the first to know about special events and sales. Many of Bhoomki’s sales, for example, are advertised to those who have signed up for the store’s email list.

Store owners and the 5th Avenue Business Improvement District have a lot planned for this holiday shopping season. On Small Business Saturday, November 28th, the 5th Avenue BID will conduct its annual tree lighting, and, as Caserta reminds us, “Christmas lights will be up over the Avenue again.” Bhoomki’s holiday sale begins that day, and it’s also when the store will launch its holiday merchandise.

The festivities will extend throughout the entire season. Customers can help celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Tabeel’s Aromatherapy Gift Shop & Salon with a big sale on December 14th, and the store will also be hosting a smaller, in-house Kwanzaa celebration later in December. At Yanatiba, customers will be able to order custom-made silver jewelry, while also browsing through eclectic offerings of Early American furniture and gift items from around the world. So, as the leaves in Prospect Park change color and fall, and as the holidays approach, why not buy local? It’s a great way to ring in the new year in Park Slope.

Filed Under: Part of the Solution, Shop Local Tagged With: christmas, holidays, shop local, small business

An Art Scene, a Plan, a Canal: Gowanus

October 11, 2013 By admin Leave a Comment Filed Under: Shop Local

Gowanus is one of those New York neighborhoods that has a mythical quality about it. It’s a place that many New Yorkers have heard of but few have actually been to, most likely due to the Gowanus Canal, which breaks the neighborhood into sections connected by bridges. Unlike the great canals of Venice or Amsterdam, the Gowanus Canal is anything but scenic. Heavily polluted and surrounded by warehouses and industrial lots full of gravel and garbage, it’s not uncommon to see oil, raw sewage, or trash float by at any given time. When the wind hits it just right the smell is, well, something one has to experience for themselves. The canal has prevented the neighborhood from developing the way that neighboring Park Slope and Carroll Gardens have, and for many that is a blessing. In addition to the lumber yards, car shops, and recycling plants, Gowanus is also home to one of Brooklyn’s—if not New York City’s—most enduring art scenes, one that may not still be there without the canal.

Serrett Metalworks

Although the Gowanus art scene has been gaining notoriety for the last several years, it has actually been around much longer. The Gowanus Open Studios, an event that invites the public to come to the neighborhood and tour artist’s studios and galleries, has been held every October for the last seventeen years. Bushwick Open Studios, which celebrated its seventh anniversary this year, seems young by comparison. Bushwick, of course, has made up for lost time, as denizens of Williamsburg are forced further and further down the L line due to skyrocketing rents. In the seven years since Bushwick Open Studios started there have been condo developments and swank restaurants popping up all over the once mostly passed over neighborhood. In contrast, in the seventeen years since Gowanus Open Studios started the neighborhood has remained mostly the same. There are a few nice restaurants and the shell of a seemingly perpetually delayed Whole Foods, but no condos and no jaded Manhattanites.

The Bell House

Gowanus’ slow development is not for a lack of activity, especially from its art community. In just a five by five block radius there are, among other institutions, The Gowanus Ballroom, which operates as Serett Metalworks during the day, the performing arts hall The Bell House, New York Art Foundry for sculptures and metal workers, Gowanus Loft, and the Trestle Gallery, which is part of the Brooklyn Art Space, a studio space for artists that offers group or semi-private studios, classes and workshops, and even seminars on legal advice for artists. You can walk down any block in Gowanus and you will see the bright, fluttering banners and signs for studios and galleries right next to a scrap metal warehouse or a tour bus depot.

New York Art Foundry

In addition to an abundance of places for art in Gowanus, there is no lack of diversity in the artistic scene. Trying to pinpoint a particular style or aesthetic of those involved in the Gowanus art scene is a fruitless endeavor. Large-scale installation sculpture sits next to water colors, which sit next to woven tapestries, which sit next to modernist abstract paintings. At the Trestle Gallery a small-works show displayed this wide range. Rhia Hurt, an artist who does administrative work with Brooklyn Art Space, gave me a tour of the studios and gallery. When I asked about the types of artists who kept studio space there, she described them as “a good mix of established artists and really talented people just coming out of school, Parsons, Pratt, places like that. There are also a lot of great self-taught artists here as well.” In addition to group and semi-private studio spaces—and even a large studio space for writers called Room 58—Brooklyn Art Space offers workshops and even seminars on legal advice for artists. Walking through the studios it seemed to me that Gowanus is a case of function coming out on top over style. The industrial, harsh nature of the neighborhood and the large warehouses where the artists come to work do not seem to be influencing a style of art, rather, those spaces provide an opportunity for work to be created without limitations. Several painter’s studios I walked by were overflowing with giant, twelve by twelve-foot canvases, which require space that is simply unavailable in most of the city and cost prohibitive in the other art Meccas: Chelsea, SoHo, and even Bushwick.

Build It Green

“I think one of the big advantages for the artists here is that it’s still affordable,” Rhia told me when I asked about why an artist might choose Gowanus to set up shop. “And it will hopefully stay that way.” For the time being it seems that that is likely the case, as the clean-up of the canal is expected to take over a decade, and it’s unlikely that much large-scale development will happen in the meantime.

Another big advantage for Gowanus? It’s between Park Slope and Carroll Gardens, two of Brooklyn’s most affluent neighborhoods. The commercial aspect of the art world can be tricky, especially for people who are unaccustomed to purchasing art at a gallery, or directly from the artist, but Rhia would like to see those bridges broken down in Gowanus. “The goal is to put revenue in the hands of the artists.”

That sentiment was echoed when I visited Ground Floor Gallery, which is located on the Gowanus-Park Slope border. Curators Jill Benson and Krista Saunders opened Ground Floor Gallery in April of 2013 after years of hosting shows in temporary spaces. Outside a sandwich board read: “Original, AFFORDABLE Art by Local, Emerging Artists”, and inside was a show whose quality was typical of what I’d seen from the Gowanus art scene: well curated, diverse, and thoughtful works of art.

Brooklyn Art Space

“We want to build collectors,” they told me while we were on the subject of the untapped potential of Park Slope and Carroll Gardens, adding, “When artists come in to show with us we help them with pricing and selling their works.” Their gallery will be participating in the Gowanus Open Studios, and for the entire month of October they will have a show featuring exclusively artists that are living and working in Gowanus, or as Krista playfully described it, “Jill and Krista on the hunt for Gowanus’ biggest talents.” Gowanus has treated them well and has allowed them greater freedom to present work they really believe in. “We aren’t focused on profit because the costs are manageable,” Jill explained.

Manageable costs is exactly why artists have been able to live and work in the Gowanus area during the past seventeen years and hopefully for much longer. For the time being, the Gowanus Canal is preventing any large-scale gentrification and the art scene is only becoming more popular. Everyone I spoke to agreed that they would like to see Gowanus become a destination for not only artists, but art lovers, and especially art collectors—but they also want to see the spirit of the neighborhood preserved. One possible solution is for the artists and gallery owners to buy their spaces now while it is still reasonably cheap, so that if in ten years—once the Whole Foods is completed and the canal cleaned up—the neighborhood begins to gentrify, they will still have control over their studios and galleries.

Ideally things would be able to work as a perfect symbiotic relationship. Gowanus will stay an artist’s haven, the studios large and the rent cheap, and the art loving citizens in next door Park Slope and Carroll Gardens will benefit by having a wellspring of fantastic, affordable art just a stone’s throw away. As recognition of the Gowanus art scene continues to grow, this doesn’t seem like an impossibility. With the Gowanus Open Studios in October, residents of Park Slope and Carroll Gardens will have a perfect opportunity to see all that their neighbor’s have to offer.

It has been said recently that the dream of being an artist in New York City is an unattainable fantasy, but for the time being there is a small ray of hope, shining right up the putrid waters of one of the country’s most polluted water ways. As long as artists and art lovers are pro-active we can preserve the great tradition of the neighborhood, and keep artists living and working in Brooklyn.

Filed Under: Shop Local

How to Make It In Park Slope

October 11, 2013 By Nancy Lippincott Leave a Comment Filed Under: Shop Local

Last year Fornino, which had opened in 2010, closed its doors. Nothing too unusual, right? Businesses come and go here in the Slope. It’s not always pleasant, but it’s been the cruel reality of the circle of life on commercial strips like Fifth and Seventh Avenues. However, Here’s Park Slope, a website monitoring the shifting of facades in the neighborhood, gave us all a scare when they shared the landlord’s hope to lease the space to a chain like McDonalds or Olive Garden.

Aside from the obvious horrors of Happy Meals or unlimited soup, salad, and breadstick lunches, the rumor seemed to be the harbinger of something much more depressing—that it’s only going to get harder for local business owners to compete with corporate bohemoths.

While the Fornino space never did end up falling into the hands of the Darden Restaurant dynasty, we were left wondering what it takes for the little guy to hack it in a neighborhood with such fierce competition and ever-rising rents.

To answer this question, we decided to go straight to the source and talk to three business new to the neighborhood.  Here is what they have to say about how to make it in Park Slope:

Lisa & Jamie – photo by Lisa Madison

StoryKeep

Two-and-a-half years ago, Lisa Madison and Jamie Yuenger started a business concept no one was searching for, at least not on the web. “The biggest challenge with our business is that we’re not something anyone Googles,” explains Madison. “We have few competitors, but we also face the challenge of explaining to people what we are.”

Madison and Yuenger first crossed paths in 2010 when working on a documentary film together. Madison was a freelancer in the field, and Yuenger was working in broadcasting for WNYC. Both had a mutual love for storytelling and history, and in 2011 they found a way to turn their passions into their livelihoods when they founded StoryKeep. StoryKeep is a service that creates multimedia portraits of families and businesses. Their projects have ranged from interviews with oldest living family members, to historical preservation projects with civic organizations.

“One of the biggest lessons we learned was realizing what we we’re not,” explains Madison. In a time when services like Ancestry.com are making big business off of genealogy, the women had to figure out how to differentiate themselves as storytellers from fact-finders. “Family history is about how stories are told,” says Yuenger. “There aren’t a lot of family heirlooms these days, so we’re hoping to create something that can passed down and shared through generations,” adds Madison.

“The biggest piece of advice I can give to others is don’t expect the first two years to be easy!” says Madison.  In a field where there are few predecessors to learn from, the women had to figure things out on their own, from the production process, to marketing, to creating a successful working relationship. Documenting the personal lives of their clients has been a long, ongoing lesson in trust and relationship-building, and so has their developing their business partnership. “Working together is like managing an intense relationship. You have to be in tune with each other, you’re dependent on each other financially, and you’re going to be with each other twelve hours a day,” explains Yuenger.

All the hard work and trust in one another has paid off, though. Yuenger and Madison have quadrupled their clientele and are looking forward to growing their team.

photos by Rachael Olmi

Marbelous

Remember when you were a little kid playing arts and crafts or opening a lemonade stand with your best friend? Maybe you tossed around the idea of flipping those macramé bracelets for some cash or slinging that juice for a quarter? That’s sort of how Marbelous started.

Rachael Stone Olmi and Sue Kramer are best friends with two parallel lives. They bought brownstones on the same block, both married charming Europeans, and have daughters born on the same day and named them Tess and Lutèce, who are also best friends. One day when the families were on vacation together, the girls made clay marble necklaces and gifted them to their moms. Stone Olmi and Kramer realized they had something special after wearing them out and about the first week. “I called Sue and asked ‘Did you get stopped four times on the street wearing your necklace?’ People were asking us where we bought them,” remembers Stone Olmi. All of the comments and compliments from their friends and neighbors got them thinking this could get bigger.

Their daughters conceived the whole idea, and Stone Olmi and Kramer were there to handle setting up the business end of things. While the girls had play dates and brainstormed new designs, the moms set up a Facebook page and started showcasing their work to local boutiques. The first big break was walking into Diana Kane Boutique. “She bought them all,” explains Kramer, “and she ended up selling out of them four times.” Word about the necklaces started spreading virally through the community and beyond. The girls were seeing their classmates sporting them at P.S. 321, and the moms caught wind of people Amy Poehler and Alan Cumming rocking their daughters’ creations. They are now in nine different boutiques throughout the country, and Kramer and Stone Olmi couldn’t be prouder of their daughters.

“Marbelous is about friendship and spreading goodness, and that part of the company is about giving. Ten percent of yearly profits go to Autism Speaks,” shares Kramer. It was their daughters’ stipulation from the beginning that a portion of the profits be donated to a meaningful cause.

Both women have a strong business sense grounded in creative fields. Stone Olmi comes from an interior design background and Kramer is a writer and director. “We feed off their creativity and get back down to that level and see things from their eyes, and they learn things from the business point of view. But we share details with them about business and money,” explains Stone Olmi. “As the kids grow up and the business grows, they will learn about profit and loss and other things that will teach them business sense,” adds Kramer.

Though both moms are far too modest to toot their own horns, when pressed, Kramer hints to the positive impact this could be having on their daughters’ self-perception: “The whole girl power of it all is really awesome. It’s just us gals.”

The Walk-in Cookbook

For the two years he worked as a banker in London, Guido Molinari ate nothing but take-out. After a long day at work, the last thing he wanted to do was plan a meal, go food shopping, and then spend more time cooking for himself. His business partner, Filip Nuytemans, had a similar experience during his years working as a consultant for Nestle. He spent eleven months out of the year on the road and was at the mercy of whatever hotel restaurants and airlines put in front of him, wishing there was an easier way for him to learn how to prepare healthy, delicious meals for himself.
In 2012 the gentlemen took their mutual culinary plight and turned it into a business plan. “It’s a fundamental difference between life now and before,” explains Molinari. “Our grandparents had something different going on. Now, we are young professionals, or couple who are both working, and despite these responsibilities we want to make sure our day ends in a fulfilling homemade meal.”
The Walk-in Cookbook is designed to make dinner more streamlined—and healthy—for people who already have a full plate. It works like this: Walk in, pick out a meal, and then fill your basket with the pre-portioned ingredients listed on the recipe card. All the meals are designed to take no more than thirty minutes to prepare, and you won’t be stuck with leftover ingredients doomed to camp out in your cabinet until the lease is up. The store features eighteen recipes at a time, including appetizers and mains (desserts are forthcoming), and also caters to customers who are gluten-free and vegetarian. They even offer local delivery to Park Slope and Prospect Heights. “We decided to get people to cook again. Make it fun. Make it fast. And they don’t have to worry too much about what they are going to buy,” says Nuytemans.

While the concept of The Walk-in Cookbook came from their guts, Nuytemans and Molinari took a measured, strategic approach when it came to putting things into practice. When scouting locations, the duo spent many a frigid afternoon sitting on the sidewalk counting pedestrians and collecting data. “At first people told us it wouldn’t work; we would have to change the way people thought about grocery shopping,” confesses Molinari. But as Nuytemans observes, “People in Brooklyn are the most receptive to innovation.”

That’s not to say they didn’t have to deal with their share of conflicts. Between building permits, renovations, and inspections, the process of opening the store in the former Noella Brew Bar space involved more money and time than anticipated. “That’s probably why corporations like Starbucks are moving in—because they have much more money to work with and navigating the red tape has been much easier. They’re able to pay their rent while they are sitting around waiting for approval on permits,” notes Nuytemans.

The upside is that these initial growing pains have helped inspire their conviction to support their fellow small business owners and source locally whenever possible.  Nuytemans explains that after months of waiting around for permits, approvals, and paying rent, the plight of the small businessman resonates with them on a visceral level.  “Opening a business here has made us understand why it’s so important to support what’s happening here locally.”

Filed Under: Shop Local

Fashioned in Brooklyn

October 11, 2013 By admin Filed Under: Shop Local, Uncategorized

Once upon a time, the most fashionable New Yorkers dwelled somewhere south of Fourteenth Street and north of Canal. They shopped for designer threads in SoHo and bohemian vintage in the East Village, and there was little room for competition in a borough as gritty as Brooklyn. Boy, have times changed.

Thanks to some of the most innovative designers and entrepreneurs who have planted their flags this side of the East River, neighborhoods like Park Slope, Prospect Heights, and Gowanus offer an electrifying array of high-end boutiques, affordable vintage shops, unique jewelry and home goods stores, and even the bridal shop of an unconventional Brooklyn girl’s dreams.

Here is a glimpse into the lives and inspirations of some of your favorite neighborhood designers and shopkeepers:

FLIRT
93 Fifth Avenue, Park Slope
(718) 783-0364
Hours: Mon.–Sun. 11:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
flirt-brooklyn.com

Seryn Potter is the first to admit you can trip over cute clothing in Brooklyn. “But cute and looks good on you are two completely different things,” the designer says. “At the end of the day it comes down to flattery of the person wearing it. We are consumed by fit, fabric, and what maximizes the potential of what everyone can wear.” Alongside partners Heather Falcone and Patti Gilstrap, Potter opened the first Flirt boutique in 2000 in Carroll Gardens. In 2004, they expanded and moved to Park Slope, where Flirt has gained a loyal following of women who flip for its shoes, quirky-cute accessories, and vintage-inspired dresses, skirts, and bathing suits by local designers such as Karina Cousineau, Melissa Bell, and Emily G. “Our dresses are built for curvy figures, have nips in the waist, stretchy, soft jersey fabrics that never wrinkle, and can be hand washed,” Potter says. “They’re really great for moms.” And if you’re in the market for something completely different, choose among seven different skirt styles and collaborate with Flirt to design your very own custom skirt.

HOOTI COUTURE
321 Flatbush Avenue, Prospect Heights
(718) 857-1977
Hours: Tue.–Sun. 11a.m.–8 p.m.
hooticouture.com

Before some of her vintage ‘80s-loving customers were even born, Hooti Couture owner Alison Houtte could be seen rocking shoulder pads and dresses by Courrèges in magazines like Vogue. After a successful twelve-year run as a model, Houtte turned her attention to helping others discover the joys of vintage.  Although her first boutique was locate in Park Slope, she has since found a larger space in Prospect Heights to which she credits the “best landlords in the world” for making it possible. “North Flatbush is the Village of thirty years ago,” Houtte says. She fills her shop with eclectic, but wearable pieces that range from ‘50s cropped bolero mink jackets to chunky gold jewelry and ‘70s day dresses. Most pieces are priced twenty-five to eighty-five dollars, with higher-end items mixed in for good measure. “If I like it and it’s funky and fun, I buy it,” she says. “Brooklyn is not about the Gucci and Prada—it’s about where’d you get that funky dress? I’ve hopefully created a welcoming environment that is colorful, fun, and inexpensive.”

COZBI
351 Fifth Avenue, Park Slope
(718) 246-7960
Hours: Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m.–5 p.m.
cozbi.com

If you’re looking to build your wardrobe with well-made, mostly classic pieces that boast an impeccable fit, Cozbi is your haven. Owner and designer Cozbi A. Cabrera got her start designing for Sony Music, where she dabbled at first in creating gorgeous cloth dolls that immediately garnered the attention of art collectors. After experiencing success with her first shop in Carroll Gardens where she sold her dolls and children’s clothing, she felt committed to responding to her client’s needs. “A lot of women had difficulty fitting clothing,” Cabrera says. “What is standard in the fashion industry doesn’t work for them. So I would actually take their measurements and fit the clothes to them.” In 2011, Cabrera moved to her Park Slope location, where she expanded her line of women’s attire. “We’re not offering fast-food clothing,” she says. “We are warm, welcoming, and flexible. And we’re not too sexy for our shorts.”

COG & PEARL
190 Fifth Avenue, Park Slope
(718) 623-8200
Hours: Tue.–Sat. 12 p.m.–8 p.m., Sun. 12 p.m.–6 p.m.
cogandpearl.com

What do you get when a musician and a writer open up a home goods shop in Park Slope? A successful neighborhood favorite that carries everything from terrarium kits to embroidered pillows by Coral & Tusk to gorgeous hand-soldered necklaces by Marjorie Victor made—where else—but in Brooklyn. Since opening in 2002, owners Seth Walter and Kristin Overson have remained committed to offering customers one-of-a-kind goods that won’t break the bank. “Our customers want things that are well priced, beautiful, and functional,” Walter says. The enterprising duo are so immersed in the community that there was no question where they could open shop. “Our favorite restaurants and stores are on Fifth Avenue,” Walter says. “We wanted to be part of the renaissance.”

KIWI
119 Seventh Avenue, Park Slope
(718) 622-5551
Hours: Mon–Fri 11 a.m. –7 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–6 p.m.,
Sun. 12 p.m.–6 p.m.
kiwidesignco.com

Before opening Kiwi, Christine Alcalay embarked on a corporate design career that had little to do with Brooklyn—until she met friend and future business partner Marlene Siegel. “I had never stepped foot in Brooklyn, but Marlene convinced me to check out Park Slope,” Alcalay says. “I felt like I walked into this romantic storybook neighborhood.” When they opened shop in 2002, naysayers predicted the high-end boutique wouldn’t last. Eleven years later, they’re still going strong, thanks to the duo’s meticulously selected clothing and accessories by designers like Vince, Splendid, J Brand, Qi Cashmere, and Michael Stars. “Our customers range from women in their early twenties to eighties,” Alcalay says. “They are modern women juggling a million things at a time who want fashion to be effortless.”

DIANA KANE
229-b Fifth Avenue, Park Slope
(718) 638-6520
Hours: Tue.–Fri. 12 p.m.–7 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.–8 p.m.,
Sun. 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
dianakane.com

Diana Kane admits she followed her husband to Park Slope in 1995 kicking and screaming. “I was like, what do you mean you can’t get Chinese at two in the morning?” Kane laughs. “Then I had kids and realized it was the best place in the world.” The jewelry designer and boutique owner has held court in the Slope since 2002 and her customers have come to trust her instincts when it comes to jewelry, handmade perfumes, beautiful candles, and sustainable and well-made women’s clothing, most of which is manufactured in the USA. Kane focuses on selling pieces that are made from fine quality fabrics and that meet her clientele’s desire for “refined comfort.” Needless to say, she’s changed her tune about the neighborhood. “It’s very much a small town in a big city,” she says. “You have the best of both worlds.”

HOMEBODY BOUTIQUE
449 Seventh Avenue, Park Slope
(718) 369-8980
Hours: Wed.–Sat. 12 p.m.–8 p.m.; Sun. 1p.m.–8 p.m.;
Tue. 12 p.m.–7 p.m.
homebodyboutique.com

Kate Silver may have settled in Williamsburg and Greenpoint when she moved here from Missouri in 1996, but while hunting for spots in which to open her houseware, gift, and jewelry shop, the art school alum fell in love with Park Slope. “I just love how neighborhoody it is,” Silver says. “It’s not like in the city where people don’t know each other. They share.” In addition to selling her own unique line of housewares, Silver has given other Brooklyn artists a chance to display their talents. The result is a shop that carries colorful blown glass goblets alongside gun-shaped combs, skull nightlights, soy candles, and agate snake rings.

REBECCA SCHONEVELD
Bridal Design Studio
516 Third Avenue, Gowanus
(718) 788-3849
Hours: Mon.–Wed. and Fri–Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
rebeccaschoneveld.com

A few years ago, Rebecca Schoneveld was let go of from her corporate design job. A few weeks later, a fire ripped through her Park Slope apartment—around the same time she discovered she was pregnant. Instead of panicking, the California-born transport cleaned out her studio, designed a few pretty maternity dresses, and tried her luck with them on Etsy. She sold her first dress within two hours and realized she never had to work for someone else again. While creating streamlined and modern bridal dresses within the confines of her 220 square-foot apartment, Schoneveld became overwhelmed with orders and sought a bigger space in Gowanus. She designs each dress with her Brooklyn client in mind. “A lot of girls feel like wedding dresses are so old-fashioned, but they don’t want to upset their moms,” Schoneveld says. “I design dresses that have a really nice fabric, quality fit and cut, and that are easy and not trying too hard.”

1 OF A FIND
633 Vanderbilt Avenue, Prospect Heights
(718) 789-2008
Hours: Daily, 12 p.m.–8 p.m.
1ofafindvintage.com

There’s vintage, and then there’s cocktail vintage. With racks dripping in deliciously decadent dresses and blouses by Guy Laroche, Christian Dior, and Morgane Le Fay, 1 of a Find owner Honey Moon knows her customers expect unique, but impeccably well-made party pieces. The savvy shopper relocated to Prospect Heights three years ago from Park Slope and has since gotten to know her clientele. “Everyone has their own definition of vintage,” Moon says. “We have grandmothers who come in and are amazed by the Victorian pieces and twenty-year-olds who love the ‘90s pieces.”

Filed Under: Shop Local, Uncategorized

Starter Bride Guide

March 24, 2011 By admin Filed Under: Shop Local

We all know that as a bride you assume a huge amount of responsibility while planning a wedding. Therefore, we would like to offer assistance this spring by suggesting that you shop local as you prepare for your special day.

There are a couple of reasons to shop local. First, your life will be easier when vendors are nearby to answer questions and take care of last-minute details. Second, this is a highly talented community where you can find unique goods and services of the highest quality. Third, and perhaps most importantly, your guests will get a peek into the life that you and your partner-to-be have built together in Brooklyn. Check out our “Starter Bride Guide” below as you research local options for everything from your dress and the cake to wedding party gifts and advice.

The Bell House
The Bell House. Photo by Sam Horine / Metromix

Venue & Entertainment
The Bell House is a premiere Brooklyn venue for music and private events. According to events coordinator Andrew Mumm, “the Bell House offers two beautiful rooms that your guests can move freely to and fro. Being a live music venue, the large room offers a state-of-the-art sound system … The rustic wooden arched ceilings are complimented by two handsome brass chandeliers which really create a unique aesthetic! It is not uncommon for couples to actually have their ceremony with us as well. The 450-square-foot stage is the perfect spot to exchange those vows!” Find out more by emailing wedding booker Naomi Pelham at naomi@thebellhouseny.com.

 

Don’t stress too much.
Planning a wedding should be fun and seamless!

Slope Music offers music lessons as well as live music for clubs and private events. “Live music has always been what sets the tone, the feeling, of a great wedding party,” says director Charles Sibirsky. What can Slope Music offer you? “We play soft music for dining, all kinds of music for dancing including rock, ballroom, line dancing and all types of Latin dancing such as cha cha, rumba, merengue.” Visit slopemusic.com or call (718) 768-3804 for additional details.

Hire a great live band. DJs provide recorded music.

Dresses & Accessories
Head to Guvnor’s Vintage for affordably priced, top quality, and highly fashionable vintage and secondhand apparel. Owner Suzette Sundae encourages brides shopping for dresses to stop by: “we offer a large selection of vintage dresses and gowns, many of which could be suitable for brides and bridesmaids.” Guvnor’s Vintage is located at 78 Fifth Avenue. Call (718) 230-GUVS (4887) or email info@ guvnorsnyc.com with inquiries. Also check out Beacon’s Closet, the clothing exchange store located at 92 Fifth Avenue. This shop specializes in vintage and ultramodern styles, and it’s certainly the place to find the proverbial “something old.” Co-owner Carrie Peterson reports that “we have vintage jewelry, and some select nighties, beautiful legwear, and interesting shoes, maybe even the dress if they are looking for something unique.” Contact the Beacon’s Closet at service@beaconscloset.com or (718) 230-1630.

Don’t blow all of your money on a ceremony or a dress!

Planning Help
At Blue Canary Events, couples seeking a stress-free wedding planning experience will find the help they need. Owner Laura Auer says her company “specializes in month-of wedding coordination, which means you do the planning and we step in and take over for those last few weeks. This ensures everything is pulled together and that the wedding day will go smoothly. It’s nice to pass the planning details to someone else so you can relax and enjoy the day with your family, friends, and new spouse!” To inquire about Blue Canary Events, visit the Contact Us page at www.bluecanaryevents.com.

The reception (venue, catering, alcohol and rentals) should run about 50-55% of the total budget. The remaining half is for photography, flowers, attire, transportation, invitations, and all the little tiny expenses that pop up along the way.

Prospect Park Boathouse
Prospect Park Boathouse. The Movable Feast, in-house caterer. Photo by Ellen Berson

Catering & The Cake
The Movable Feast serves those seeking creative catering services with locally sourced food and elegant flowers and staff. In addition to catering services, owner Ellen Berson says that The Movable Feast offers “help with finding the perfect location, either at The Prospect Park Boathouse, where we are the in-house caterers or at 30 locations all over New York City. We can help find the most talented florist, the perfect officiant and the perfect music source.” Contact Ellen at ppw284ellen@aol.com or phone (718) 965-2900.

Connect with professionals who have your personal needs in mind and can help with all aspects of events.

Purple Orchid Cake
Purple Orchid Cake. Photo by Michelle Doll Cakes

Michelle Doll Cakes offers couture cakes and treats for party planners. According to the owner Michelle Doll, “we specialize in cakes covered in realistic sugar flowers to favor bags of special cookies for guests.” Email michelle@michelledollcakes.com to set up tastings and discuss your cake and dessert needs.

Relax and enjoy it. Get as much of the planning out of the way as soon as possible so you can concentrate on the fun of being engaged. If it starts to feel like too much work, scale it back and concentrate on the parts that are most important to you.

Lion In The Sun Invitations
Lion In The Sun Invitations. Photo by David Morris

Invitations
Lion in the Sun is a paperie specializing in unique custom invitations and distinctive stationery. This is the place to go if you believe, as David and his business partner and wife Melinda Morris do that, “invitations are such an important component of the wedding, it is the first taste of the big exciting day. We think your invitation should equally reflect the importance of the event and that your guests should feel honored and excited to be attending your wedding.” Visit Lion in the Sun at 232 Seventh Avenue, www.lioninthesunps.com or www.postscriptbrooklyn.com. You may also call (718) 369-4006 or email shop@lioninthesunps.com.

 

Enjoy the process. Remember that this is a great big party to honor your commitment to each other, surrounded by the people in the world who love you both the most, that it is a joyful occasion and to try and not let the stress of planning a wedding taint that. Don’t sweat the small stuff if you can, and remember that after your big day you have a lifetime together. And that’s the best part.

Jewelry
The Clay Pot carries contemporary bridal designs from more than 100 small studios. “We offer Canadian, conflict-free diamonds, recycled metals and resetting services for family stones,” said coowner Tara Silberberg. “We have a wide selection of wedding bands and engagement rings, our web site is a wonderful resource for couples, but a visit to the store is a must!” Stop by any day of the week to start the wedding planning process: 162 Seventh Avenue. Additionally, you may contact The Clay Pot at (718) 788-6564 x22 or info@clay-pot.com

Your wedding ring is the one reminder of this special event that you will look at every day for the rest of your life. Finding a ring that you love, that is special and timeless is our goal for you.

Urban Alchemist was conceived in 2008 as “part retail store, part gallery, and part artisan salon” with custom-made jewelry according to the manager Erica Schwartz. The shop is cooperatively run by local designers and, as a result, offers an eclectic mix of work by independent designers and select vintage finds. “Most days of the week you are likely to find one of our jewelry designers on-site. So come in, pick a style, and find out how to contact the designer of your choice. She (or he) will be happy to work with you to create the piece or set of your dreams. Whether it’s a special piece for the bride to wear or a set of necklaces for your bridesmaids, cuff links for your groomsmen or even unusual rings.” Visit the store at 343 Fifth Street to speak to the designer on-site that day, or visit urbanalchemiststore.com to locate email addresses for all our coop members.

Don’t be afraid to be creative! You should never be limited to what you see in an artist’s repertoire. See what’s out there, find an artist you like, and then ask them to make what YOU really want.

Beauty Services
Amy Zdunowski-Roeder has made a name as a celebrity makeup artist, hair stylist, groomer and special effects artist. When asked what the most important service a bride should purchase from her is, Amy replied, “Makeup! Because I will take good care of them and make them look absolutely beautiful on their big day.” Get in touch with Amy at azroeder@gmail.com, (917) 517-4020 (cell) or Facebook (Amy Zdunowski Roeder).

(1) Prepare your skin! Facials should be done at least two weeks prior to the wedding because accidental scarring or breakouts could occur and you will need time to heal. (2) Drink water! Water will keep you hydrated, flush out impurities in your body and give you a refreshing glow all the way to your wedding day. (3) Relax and savor every minute of your big day!

Bridesmaid Gifts
According to its Web site, Homebody Boutique is “the shopping destination for those who look for creative and unique items that can express their individuality.” Come here for personalized, unique gifts for the bridal party. “A few months ago a bride bought a slew of Jen Liseo’s $14 tote bags for her party, printed with Brooklyn landmarks (the Cyclone, the Kentile Floors Sign in Gowanus, the station sign at the Smith and Ninth Street subway station) and she got some letterpress ‘thank you’ cards as well.” Find everything from jewelry and etched pint glasses to fun, off-the-wall gifts for bridal showers and bachelorette parties.” Walk to 449 Seventh Avenue to check it out, or call (718) 369-8980 or email info@homebodyboutique.com.

Relaxation
Sage Spa is a boutique spa that offers massage and holistic facials in a serene setting. Whether you need to relax during the planning stage or wind down after the wedding day, find the calm you need here. Owner Susan Stratton says, “the massage and holistic facial combination is a great choice for brides. Our holistic facials leave your skin glowing…perfect for your wedding.” To set up an appointment, call (718) 832-2030.

The more you can relax, the more you can be “in the moment” and appreciate every second of this beautiful time of your life.

Filed Under: Shop Local

Get “Social” to Get Gifts

December 22, 2010 By admin Filed Under: Shop Local

It’s gift-buying season again and, if you’re like me, it’s an anxiety-inducing time. That’s because I don’t consider myself particularly good at buying thoughtful gifts, nor at finding bargains. I want nothing more during the holiday season than shopping help. As I surfed the Web recently and thought about how to write a gift guide given this predicament, I saw something I hadn’t before: an increasing number of Park Slope business are using social media sites to guide shoppers and gift givers. All we need is a smart phone or access to the Internet and we can walk the streets of Park Slope following Google maps, Twitter posts, Facebook updates and store blogs to the latest deal or unique present. With that in mind, I reached out to local businesses asking what we will find on the “social network” and in stores this holiday season. Here’s a guide to some of the gifts and online assistance you’ll find.

Not surprisingly, there are many options when buying for a woman. Check out a. cheng Shop Inc. for subtle, stylish clothing, as owner Alice Cheng describes the wares at her Fifth Avenue boutique. “I source all the fabrics for our collection in Japan and Europe and design the a. cheng line. We also get new deliveries every week.” When asked for a gift recommendation, Alice suggested the “Marla sweater with pointelle stitch yoke . Romantic and dramatic.” It’s a stylish item that will stand out and remind the special women in your lives of you. For product updates and event announcements, visit a. cheng’s Facebook and blog pages. Join the mailing list online at www.achengshop.com – all newsletter recipients receive an extra 10% discount.

For handmade accessories and clothing created by local New York designers, visit Eidolon. Eleven years after opening Eidelon, the first boutique to set up shop on Fifth Avenue, owners Amara and Mimi have proven their ability to spot up-and-coming trends and run a sound business. When I emailed asking for gift ideas, Amara and Mimi replied, “we have some great hand-knit items; leather handbags in olive, brown and black; and we always do great with our socks as gifts (although not handmade). Our jewelry selection is abundant and unique, and the prices are reasonable.” Also check out the shop’s selection of colorful print dresses and new line of Fidji shoes and boots from Portugal. Visit Eidolon’s Facebook page to view photos of new arrivals and special promotion announcements. The best way to receive coupons and sale alerts, however, is to join Eidolon’s email list by visiting the store or emailing eidolonbklyn@earthlink.net.

For everyday deals, there’s nothing quite like rummaging through a good old thrift store. Beacon Closet is a great place to buy, sell and trade vintage and modern clothing. “Many people don’t realize that there is always a 50%-off sale going on for items that have been in the shop for over two months, and that our stock changes by the hour,” said Beacon Closet’s co-owner Carrie Peterson. Purchase gift certificates as stocking stuffers or, for $12, choose from “a small selection of new jewelry, little sterling and gold plated owl earrings,” suggests Carrie. For gift givers who simply need shopping money, trade in your own fall and winter items for holiday cash. You’ll find Beacon’s Closet on Fifth Avenue, online and also on various social media sites, where the store posts its new looks and seasons.

Ask Alison Houtte, owner of Hooti Couture, for gift ideas and you’ll receive guidance galore and a wonderful glimpse into her enthusiasm for the job. Located on Flatbush Avenue, her shop has been in business for 13 years. What many don’t realize about Hootie Couture is that it “is extremely reasonable and prices are negotiable,” says Alison. “Lots of people think that we are only a high-end shop,” but in reality it sells gifts that cost as little as $5 and are appropriate for a clientele that ranges from 12- to 85-years-old. Find everything from cocktail rings, costume jewelry and holiday broaches (starting at $5-$10 and going up to $45-$50) to men’s cuff links ($10-$15), vintage tie clips ($5-$10), baby head hats, head bands ($5) and evening bags for black tie events and New Year’s Eve parties ($85-$250). Men usually purchase vintage jewelry sets as presents. “One customer comes in every year to buy jewelry that we wrap in vintage handkerchiefs for his wife.” Check its Facebook page for shout-outs about sales, specials and new shipments.

Calling all parents: Area Kids describes itself as “a funky, fun, unique and friendly place to shop with or for your kids, with great deals and an even better selection!” It has a strong following throughout Brooklyn, New York City, and even beyond. Presents for the little ones range from “big” items like Schoenhut Pianos, Bruder trucks, and Xootr scooters to more manageable ones such as Sophie the Giraffe, stocking stuffers, and a large selection of clothing. Its clothing lines include Tea Collection, Appaman, Trumpette and the more local BrooklynRock. Area Kids constantly updates its blog and Facebook page with new items, deals, events and promotions. Also visit its Facebook page to make suggestions to the owners or read what other customers are saying. One last tidbit: Area Kids gift wraps free of charge!

For gift recipients who prefer plant life to toys, there’s Root Stock & Quade, run by John Rattigan and Kerry Quade. It’s off the Park Slope “beaten trail” on Myrtle Avenue (in Fort Greene), but in Kerry’s words, customers can expect to find an “ultra hip flower and plant shop, cool urban gardens, beautiful but edgy bouquets, amazing events.” Kerry and John are artists in their own right. Kerry works with both flowers and molten metal, spending spends days creating fresh florals and evenings designing environmental installations and mixed media 2-D work (check out Facebook @ Quade Handmade for details). John creates outdoor living spaces and, off-season, uses his talent for combining colors to transform interiors. One holiday gift idea is to schedule a consultation with John; email him at john@rootstockquade.com. Also ask about the “Handmade Holiday” menu that offers soaps by Stella Marie Soap Company, Candles by Aunt Sadie’s, small works by Kerry Quade and items by other local artists. Follow the shop on Facebook and Twitter to learn about daily deals, the latest news and class schedules.

Home decorations and furnishings are also available at 3r Living. The eco-friendly home and lifestyle store was located on Fifth Avenue for six years. In February 2010, however, it moved entirely and solely online to 3rliving.com. “Although we are now an internet business, we are still the same small store that Park Slope was familiar with. We are completely focused on eco-friendly products for your home and lifestyle,” says co-owner Mark Caserta. When searching for presents, keep in mind that 3r living is constantly bringing in new products, so it’s best to check the Web site often. Best of all, devoted followers on Facebook and Twitter are likely to receive Park Slope-only deals for the neighborhood.

Wine and alcohol are usually hits with gift recipients who are friends. Head to Slope Cellars to find high-end French, Italian and German wines cellared at the shop. Another gift idea is “magnums of grower Champagne,” says manager Patty Lenartz, as well as “gift certificates, Spiegelau stemware, Built wine totes and we can customize a wine-of-the-month club for anyone.” Visit the store’s Facebook page for announcements about its tastings, usually held on Fridays and Saturdays.

Friends and loved ones may also enjoy receiving a print, picture framing and/or conservation service from Brooklyn Frame Works. When I contacted the store for ideas for presents, co-owner George Winter replied by email: “during the holidays we sell more of our ‘Brooklyn’ print by Ork Design, ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ prints, original subway maps and other Brooklyn-themed maps and prints.” Personally, I can’t think of anything better for a proud borough resident. Also look out for holiday sales on the store’s newest antique and modern prints. Shoppers can visit its Facebook page for upcoming events and promotions.

In my family, presents from Lion in the Sun of Park Slope would be popular because my relatives are still fans (and I don’t mean “fans” in the Facebook way) of printed materials. This paperie stocks a unique selection of cards, stationery, wrap, notebooks and paper related gifts, and also specializes in custom printed goods for all occasions. According to co-owner Melinda Morris, popular holiday items include the shop’s seasonal greetings cards: “we carry a lot of small independent artists and Brooklyn- and New York-inspired designs and those are always very hot items.” Check out its blog and Facebook postings to view the shop’s new items, latest favorite invitation designs and clients’ real weddings invitations. Follow Lion in the Sun on Twitter to learn about new arrivals or simply to read “our general musings of the day.” Also sign up for the store newsletter to receive special notices about sales and promotions.

Finally, I will end this article with advice from Melinda at Lion in the Sun: “Don’t underestimate the power of sending a personal holiday card. I think Facebook and Twitter are great ways to keep up with friends, family, colleagues and clients, but nothing replaces the thoughtfulness of a personal hand-written holiday card that shows someone you are thinking of them. It’s a little effort that really goes a long way!” Stressful as it is for someone like me (i.e., an insecure gift giver) to hear those words, I know them to be true – I need to put in more than the minimal effort if I want family and friends to feel appreciated. Here’s to adding a personal touch to our gifts this holiday season and to turning to Park Slope’s store owners for help, both online and off!

Filed Under: Shop Local

LuLu’s World

December 13, 2010 By admin Filed Under: Shop Local

Brigitte Prat is the proprietor of the magical world that is LuLu’s. Her enthusiasm permeates all three of the unique experiences she has created on Fifth Avenue: LuLu’s Cuts and Toys, LuLu’s for Baby and LuLu’s Then & Now. Prat’s enchanting shops are not conjured out of thin air. She has spent her whole life in retail, including work in the French fashion industry. But it is her passion for her work that has made LuLu’s a neighborhood favorite, among both kids and their parents.

Prat cannot take all of the credit for her success. LuLu’s was her daughter’s idea, and so bears her name. Prat recalls when her daughter was three, and loved to get her hair cut at a salon just for kids on the Upper West Side. When they moved to Park Slope in 1998, Prat was surprised that LuLu’s favorite Saturday morning ritual could not be duplicated in the neighborhood. Another subway trip on the weekend was just not an option. With her daughter as inspiration, Prat’s interest in opening her own children’s salon increased, and she finally took the plunge in 2001.

The original LuLu’s Cuts and Toys was located on Fifth Avenue, between Second and Third streets. “There was no retail here then, and only one restaurant,” says Prat. “It’s amazing what Fifth Avenue has become.” LuLu’s was so successful that Prat expanded and moved north on Fifth Avenue, between Bergen and Dean streets, in 2004. The opening of the new space happened to coincide with the infamous MTA strike that winter. People who might normally have bypassed this stretch of Fifth Avenue now had to walk past. They bought locally, foregoing the big box stores across Atlantic Avenue. The stars aligned and, as Prat says, “It was a great opening!”

Prat muses, “I love kids, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has always been my favorite movie. I want LuLu’s to be like this.” Indeed, on a recent Sunday morning, LuLu’s Cuts and Toys is bustling. It bursts with toys, which fill every space and are stacked to the ceiling. Every mini barber chair is occupied; there is a line that nearly goes out the door. Prat loves that kids feel as if LuLu’s is “their” place, not their parents.’ One of the most rewarding aspects of her job is hearing that youngsters want to come back soon after getting their haircut. Prat, who also lives on the block, often sees children at the door, asking to go in. “It happens all the time,” she laughs. LuLu’s has become a destination, and Prat’s pint-sized clientele come from all over the borough; some even make the trip from Manhattan. LuLu’s Cuts and Toys now features five haircutters. “They all love what they do,” she says.

The LuLu’s empire has recently expanded and now includes LuLu’s for Baby and LuLu’s Then & Now. All three shops have this in common: their commitment to customer service. “Our goal is to make sure our customers’ needs are fulfilled, whether they are buying Play-Doh or a stroller,” Prat says. It is this type of personal attention that continues to make LuLu’s a go-to spot for savvy shoppers. LuLu’s for Baby is stocked with safe, non-toxic products that are made in the U.S. “I always try to find another price point for Park Slope’s diverse community,” she says, pointing out that quality baby products can be expensive; so LuLu’s offers options. LuLu’s for Baby carries baby supplies, such as carriers and bottles, not just toys and clothing. Prat knows that today’s parent is very knowledgeable about baby products, so her staff have to be just as informed. If requested, a specific product will often end up on LuLu’s shelves, but only after Prat has done her own background research. She says, “We have a lot of repeat customers who trust us.”

LuLu’s Then & Now is the newest emporium in Prat’s triumvirate. Then & Now is a resale store for gently-used clothing, books, toys and supplies, from newborn to age eight. Prat is joined by business partner Ann Marie Romanczyk on this latest enterprise, and the theme of recycling informs every aspect of the resale shop. Prat and her husbansd, an architect, found a way to re-use all existing fixtures and lighting in the space. Some fresh paint and a healthy dose of creativity did the rest. Fittingly, Then & Now does not provide any boutique extras such as wrapping, which also helps to keep prices low. The resale shop has been so popular that Prat has had to set appointments for parents looking to sell their “gently-used” items – and they are booked two weeks in advance. Quality, used designer items can be found for less than they would be new at a large retail store. Behind the register is a quirky mural of Queen Elizabeth that reads “Mom Save The Clothes,” a tongue-in-cheek homage to a Sex Pistols song. It’s an edgy witticism that sets Then & Now apart from the competition.

Brigitte Prat says she feels fortunate to be a member of Park Slope’s “incredible community that supports local shops.” She also loves the connections she has made with other nearby businesses. About the marvelous niche she has crafted in LuLu’s, Prat is “incredibly passionate. This is not a hobby, but how I choose to support my family.” It’s just this attitude that promises to keep the small-fry set entranced at LuLu’s. And that’s no hocus-pocus, just pure magic.

LuLu’s for Baby
44 5th Avenue
Brooklyn,NY 11217
718.399.2540
www.lulusforbaby.com

LuLu’s Cuts and Toys
48 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718.832.3732
www.luluscuts.com

LuLu’s Then & Now
75A 5th Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718.398.LULU

Filed Under: Shop Local

Marché Unique

September 20, 2010 By admin Filed Under: Shop Local

Union Market

“Never do your grocery shopping on an empty stomach,” goes the old wives’ tale. And if you plan to shop at Union Market, you’d better make sure that you’ve just eaten a full meal, of the Thanksgiving dinner variety – and that you’re stuffed.

Union Market’s flagship store, on the corner of 6th Avenue and Union Street, is surrounded by other food stores: Key Food, Associated, and the infamous Park Slope Food Co-op. What might seem to be an odd choice for an independent grocery actually makes perfect sense, as Union Market is unique in the neighborhood. “Five years ago, there was nothing like this around,” says Martin Nunez, one of three co-founders. “Our central location is key to our success.”

Union Market provides one stop shopping – whether you need paper towels or prepared foods. Nunez boasts that Union Market provides restaurant quality food – without the restaurant price tag. “Our mission is to serve organic and natural products, with a few exceptions.”

Nunez opened Union Market in 2005 along with Paul Fernandez and Marko Lalic. The three partners all have experience in the New York upscale grocery scene, and include stints at Gourmet Garage and Back to the Land on their resumes. “Marco and I call it our baby,” says Nunez. “We spend a lot of time getting to know our customers,” says Nunez. “We are set apart by our customer service, and we know that our customers want to eat healthy.” While Union Market services all of Park Slope, the typical customer might be a young parent, someone who needs a quick meal, and might have a recipe in hand. The store managers are trained by the owners, and are even able to answer questions about recipes.

Immediately inside the door is a quirky cornucopia of seasonal and local treats: tomatoes, plums and hand-tied bouquets. Union Market’s descriptions are witty takes on the expected norm, “drippy sweet” peaches and “The Four Ages of Gouda,” to name a few. Union Market’s bread selection is select and delightfully varied, with loaves from Eli’s, Balthazar, Colson Patisserie and Blue Duck Bakery. Likewise their cheese case is hard to beat, offering Bucheron to Zamorano, and my own personal favorite, Petit Basque. You can pick up a pint of Vosges sweet Indian curry ice cream, but you can also grab a box of Corn Flakes. It’s this combination of high-brow delights and practical staples that set Union Market apart from the crowd.  Union Market might just be the perfect picnic headquarters. Pre-packaged classics like potato salad and coleslaw sit next to Omakase sushi to go. The deli counter is stocked with Murray’s Old Fashioned Fried Chicken and cupcakes from Lady Bird Bakery.  Union Market is also distinguished from the competition by its commitment to creating a sustainable business. This is not an expansive, over-air conditioned food warehouse; Union Market received a Green Grocer Award in 2010, and is seeking LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for its new location. The store uses recycled wood and low energy equipment, for everything from the refrigerators to the lights. Large skylights at their new Court Street locale provide natural lighting. Union Market is also proud to give back to the neighborhood, and their website provides a list of community groups that they regularly support.

Union Market has expanded to two other Brooklyn locations, at 7th Avenue and also on Court Street in Cobble Hill. “As we grow, we continue to use our buying power to make our prices more affordable,” notes Martin Nunez.

I walked in hungry, and left ravenous. I bought that fried chicken, of course, and enjoyed every crispy bite.

Union Street:
754-756 Union St. at 6th Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11215
Tel: 718.230.5152
Fax: 718.230.5153
Hours 7AM–9PM Daily

7th Avenue:
402-404 Seventh Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11215
Tel: 718.499.4026
Fax: 718.499.4261
Hours 7AM–9PM Daily

Court Street:
288 Court St. Brooklyn, NY 11231
Tel: 718.709.5100
Hours 7AM-10PM Daily

info@unionmarket.com

Filed Under: Shop Local

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