Shopping small has always been a priority for me. For 15 years I owned a retail business in NYC and was directly impacted by the growth of big box stores and Amazon. When we moved to Brooklyn 6 years ago, I was delighted to discover that unlike Manhattan, Brooklyn takes shopping small pretty seriously. If the shop local movement is something you care about, a trip to Brooklyn to do your holiday shopping this year will be well worth your time!
Why shop small?
- Unique selections – when you shop small, you are buying a gift with a story. A story about how it was made, produced or sourced. The owner has hand selected and given thought to each and every item in the shop. A small business owner typically spends a lot of time scouring the market for unique items. You can benefit from this work by supporting them!
- Shopping small keeps the money in the community. For every $100 received in revenue, locally owned businesses hire more local workers, purchase more goods and services from local businesses and contribute more to local charities than big box counterparts.
- How often do you judge a neighborhood by the businesses lining its main street? Book shops, restaurants, boutiques, cafes and hairdressers all run by local business owners are what gives a community its heartbeat (and impacts home prices!). Shopping small keeps those establishments open and thriving resulting in a thriving community.
Shopping small in Brooklyn
The borough of Brooklyn is filled with strong communities and locally owned shops. While many small businesses have been forced out of Manhattan, Brooklyn’s small communities have continued to flourish. The spirit of the consumer is more in favor of supporting small business. The Brooklyn consumer is more likely to go out of their way to shop small resulting in a diverse community with lots of unique options! Below we cover some of the best neighborhoods for a shop small in Brooklyn day.
Fort Greene/Clinton Hill
Why go?
Fort Greene and Clinton Hill may not have a large selection of independent shops, but this neighborhood really packs a punch with local restaurants. So combining a shopping day here with brunch or dinner will make you feel like you are on a mini vacation.
The shops
When we think about the stores most suffering from the big box takeover, the genre that usuallycomes to mind first is independent bookshops. Fort Greene is lucky enough to have two terrific alternatives to Barnes and Noble. Well stocked Greenlight Books was my saving grace during the pandemic lockdown, providing puzzles and books to the neighborhood by appointment. They also get some really great authors in for discussions and book signings. (686 Fulton at South Portland).
The Center for Fiction, is a non-profit dedicated to creating a home for readers and writers in Brooklyn. In addition to their beautifully curated shop, members receive discounts on writing workshops and access to their library filled with rare gems. (15 Lafayette Ave.)
Lifestyle shops are also well represented in Fort Greene. The iconic storefront at 85 Lafayette Ave. has become the expertly curated concept shop Clic, offering gorgeous clothing, home design, and gifts. I have to limit my exposure to this shop because I want one of everything! Nearby Cloth is a hidden gem of women’s clothing and accessories just steps from Atlantic station (138 Fort Greene Place). Colorfully and expertly curated Yu Interiors is a treasure trove of home goods and a great place for unique gifts. (15 Greene Ave.)
On Myrtle Ave, there are a few independent shops I like to frequent. Jill Lindsey is a cafe. event space, wellness center and retail shop hybrid at 370 Myrtle. And I love the concept behind Green in Bklyn. Eco friendly home goods and gift shop offering environmentally friendly household goods and beauty products. (432 Myrtle between Waverly & Clinton)
Boerum Hill/Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens
Why go?
Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens rest up against one another so its hard to distinguish between them. If you are entirely committed to the shop small in Brooklyn concept, these are the neighborhoods to support. This area of Brooklyn is the pot of gold for shopping small and local. Residents here fully believe in the shop small concept. They work to support the small and local shops resulting in a vibrant shop small in Brooklyn community.
The shops
Earth friendly lifestyles store Kimberly House is popping up in Boerum Hill (51 Bergen) until the end of December, but their main space is at Citypoint shopping center in downtown Brooklyn. Kimberly House has strong roots in South Africa and their dedication to small artisans is unparalleled. Look for lots of pre-packaged gift boxes for everyone on your list. Support small business and Fair Trade at the same time! Full disclosure: I currently work for this company but even before I did they were my favorite spot for gifts!
Newly opened women’s shop Flea Boutiques is a must to add to your shop local in Brooklyn list. Inez, a Michigan transplant has done an excellent job of curating well priced and fashionable women’s designs. Her sweater collection is divine! (135 Smith Street)
While you are on Smith Street pop into Exit 9 Gift Emporium for unique stocking stuffer and gift ideas. Their motto is – We sell fun! And it’s true. It’s almost impossible for me to leave this shop without buying something. (127 Smith Street)
There is no shortage of kids shops in Boerum/ Cobble Hill, just as there is no shortage of families. My favorite is Picnic (179 Court Street) and its counterpart for bigger kids, Disco (289 Court Street). Ever since I closed my kids store in Tribeca, Lindsey has been my go-to for all kid gifting needs.
Gifts with a story are the perfect kind of gift. Hit up constantly changing Woods Grove for great gifts from specialized crafts people from all over the world (302 Court Street). Or Wanderlustre, for eclectic home design gifts for the modern day collector (262 Court Street).
Park Slope
Something Else O Live Annie’s Blue Ribbon
Why go?
You can’t throw a rock in Park Slope without hitting a cool boutique so it will be hard for me to narrow it down to a few. This charming neighborhood is packed with boutiques and restaurants along 5th Ave and 7th Ave. So its super easy to hit all the best spots in one afternoon.
The shops
Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store is chock full of quirky gifts for the holiday season including some really unique ornaments for that tree trimming party (232 5th Ave.). I hate to show up at a party with another bottle of wine for the hostess. That’s why I was thrilled to discover O Live this year. Now their delicious California sourced olive oils will become my new standard hostess gift, doorman gift, or really anything gift. (140 5th Ave.).
Park Slope is another neighborhood booming with kids and families. Brooklyn Superhero at 372 5th Ave. has a unique gift for the superhero in everyone. Also, Lulu’s Cuts and Toys is your well stocked traditional independently owned toy shop with a little of everything. (48 5th Ave.)
I’m a fan of the very Brooklyn vibe in the two Something Else shops. (one on 5th and the other in Boerum Hill). They specialize in mens, womens, kids and home goods, a general store of “coolness”. Finally, Homebody Boutique on 7th Ave. features gifts and accessories for the anti social. The focus is on independent designers and handmade products. Think stemless wineglasses etched with the map of Brooklyn or oven mitts that say “Let’s get Baked” (449 7th Ave.).
Williamsburg/ Greenpoint
Why go?
Williamsburg has the unique characteristic where big brand names and small boutiques co-exist nicely together. Neighboring Greenpoint is primarily small boutiques so by combining the two, you can start and finish your shop small in Brooklyn goals in one day.
The shops
Hipster Williamsburg captures the boutique mens market excellently and it’s where I frequent for the men in my life (and for the teens who prefer non-binary fashion). ID Menswear has two locations and is a delightful shopping experience. Packed with loads of options, it’s a refreshing alternative to J.Crew mens. (232 Bedford Ave and 107 N. 5th Street). For the surfer dude in your life, Pilgrim Surf & Supply has a selection of laid back and casual. beach theme gifts (68 N. 3rd St.).
Credo Beauty is impressively dedicated to clean beauty and has 2,700 ingredients on their “Dirty List”. For those who care not only about what goes on their skin, but what goes down the drain, Credo beauty is your spot (99 N. 6th Street). For gifts for the music lover, head on over to Meme Antenna. They’ve got everything from an airpod case shaped like a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, to a teenage engineering Op-Z starter set. (218 Bedford Ave.)
Two more shop small in Brooklyn gift shops I like to target are the bright and beautiful lifestyle shop Lief at 99 Grand Street and the light hearted women’s design and gift shop Red Pearl (202 Bedford Ave.).
If your gift recipient is all about vintage, Greenpoint has a few great vintage shops including Awoke, Dusty Rose Vintage, Feng Sway, and Fox & Fawn. Finally, there is a terrific independent bookstore called Word at 126 Franklin St.
Shopping SMALL will keep your community alive and vibrant!