Podcast Title: All Of It
Episode: A Small Business Gift Guide This Holiday Season
Host: Alison Stewart
Guest: Caroline Weaver, Founder of The Locavore Guide
Release Date: December 2, 2024
Duration: Approximately 30 minutes

Introduction

At the outset of the episode, Alison Stewart warmly welcomes listeners to "All Of It," WNYC's show dedicated to exploring culture and its myriad consumers. She introduces the day's primary focus: a comprehensive guide to local small businesses perfect for holiday gifting. Emphasizing the importance of supporting local commerce, Alison sets the stage for an engaging discussion with Caroline Weaver, the founder of The Locavore Guide—a resource aimed at connecting New Yorkers with unique, local shops.

Promoting Local Shopping with Caroline Weaver

[00:16] Alison Stewart:
“Thank you for spending part of your day with us. I'm really grateful you are here.”

Alison introduces Caroline, highlighting her initiative to encourage listeners to opt for local shopping rather than defaulting to large online retailers. The conversation underscores the value of keeping money within the community to bolster local economies and discover one-of-a-kind gifts.

[02:22] Caroline Weaver:
“I started it because...sponsored ads on Google make it harder to find local shops. I wanted to create a resource that was unbiased and easy for New Yorkers to discover local businesses.”

Neighborhood Highlights and Top Picks

Caroline Weaver takes listeners on a virtual tour of various New York City neighborhoods, spotlighting standout local businesses perfect for holiday gifts.

1. The Bronx: Cherrini Coffee and Gifts

[02:52] Alison Stewart:
“Cherrini Coffee and Gifts on Arthur Avenue specializes in coffee-related items and unique Italian imports.”

• Products Highlighted:
  • Moka pots
  • Roasted coffee beans
  • Imported Italian groceries
  • Pocket Coffee: “Little chocolates with a shot of espresso inside—perfect for hostess gifts.” [03:33]

Atmosphere:
“A fun shop with beautiful porcelain and an authentic Italian experience.” [03:02]

2. Astoria: Newtown HQ

[04:54] Alison Stewart:
“Newtown HQ is ideal for pop culture gifts, especially for teens, offering games, toys, and local artist stationery.”

• Featured Items:
  • Blind boxes (originally a Japanese concept)
  • Handmade home goods from local artists
  • Unique stickers

Owner Insight:
Cindy, the Mexican owner, emphasizes showcasing Mexican artists’ work. [05:37]

3. Inglewood, New Jersey: Ariel’s Gallery

[06:17] Alison Stewart:
“Ariel's Gallery offers handcrafted silver jewelry, hand-blown glass vases, and custom framing services.”

• Special Mention:
  “They framed a doorknob from a house in Ireland—a perfect way to create memorable gifts.” [06:36]

4. Brooklyn: Amano Brooklyn

[07:35] Alison Stewart:
“Amano Brooklyn is a gift and home decor shop adjacent to Brooklyn Clay Ceramic Studio, featuring local artists’ work, candles, cards, and pastries from Balthazar Bakery.”

5. Manhattan: Various Local Gems

• Spitfire Cheese Shop:
  “A cozy cheese shop on 8th Ave and West 55th with a great selection and knowledgeable staff.” [16:29]

• Grand Bazaar Market:
  “Located on Columbia Avenue, offering vintage clothes, specialty products, and unique fragrances from around the world.” [16:38]

6. Greenpoint, Brooklyn: Brooklyn Craft Company

[09:49] Caroline Weaver:
“A modern craft supply store that goes beyond traditional supplies, perfect for both crafters and gift seekers.”

• Highlights:
  • Unique embroidery scissors
  • DIY craft kits
  • Bright, welcoming atmosphere with knowledgeable staff

7. Park Slope: Rider Gift

[17:50] Caroline Weaver:
“A curated gift shop with handmade items and niche neighborhood merchandise, avoiding overwhelming selections.”

Interactive Call-In Segments

Throughout the episode, Alison and Caroline engage with listeners who call in to promote their small businesses. These segments provide diverse insights into various local enterprises:

• Maria from Inglewood, NJ:
  “Ariel's Gallery offers handcrafted silver jewelry and custom framing.” [06:17]

• Catherine from Brooklyn:
  “Amano Brooklyn features local artists' work and a cozy cafe with pastries and coffee.” [07:35]

• David from Manhattan:
  “Community Wine and Spirits in West Chelsea offers an extensive selection of wines, spirits, and custom class offerings.” [08:17]

• Monica from Brooklyn:
  “Mo Neimans is a kids' brand offering organic onesies, blankets, and animated music videos.” [12:03]

• Ari from Ridgewood:
  “Body Who Studios provides unique fitness classes like aerial hammock and circus sideshow performances.” [12:55]

• Jasmine from Staten Island:
  “Lauren Beauty is a one-stop shop for all beauty needs on Staten Island.” [13:42]

• Rachel from Greenpoint:
  “Press Modern Massage offers premium massage services across multiple NYC locations.” [14:15]

Each caller succinctly presents their business, often including what makes their offerings unique, thereby enriching the episode’s tapestry of local commerce.

Special Segments and Highlights

Crowd-Sourced Recommendations

Listeners are encouraged to share their favorite local shops via calls or texts, which Caroline confirms are being added to a searchable database at wnyci.org/slapshoplisteners. [08:28]

Unique Gift Ideas

Caroline emphasizes the trend towards experiential gifts over material items, noting:

[29:14] Caroline Weaver:
“Experiences are a trending gift choice because they’re consumable and create lasting memories.”

Self-Gifting and Practical Gifts

Alison shares her personal experience of shopping for Christmas card supplies at City Papery, highlighting the practicality and necessity of certain local businesses during the holiday season. [29:40]

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode winds down, Alison and Caroline reflect on the diverse range of local businesses showcased, reinforcing the importance of supporting small enterprises during the holidays. Caroline Weaver discusses the challenges of compiling "The Locavore Guide 2025," detailing her extensive cataloging process from her database of 14,000 shops.

[25:31] Caroline Weaver:
“Pillowcat Books in the East Village specializes in animal-themed and vintage books, offering unique finds like a 90s Miss Piggy Cookbook with celebrity recipes.”

The episode concludes with heartfelt thanks to Caroline and the participating small business owners, leaving listeners inspired to explore and support their local communities this holiday season.

Notable Quotes

• Caroline Weaver:
  “Instant coffee is not the same as it used to be.” [04:27]

• Alison Stewart:
  “If someone knows, give us a call.” [16:29]

• Caroline Weaver:
  “The Companion for and curator of the myriad culture this city has to offer.” (Paraphrased from podcast description)

• Caroline Weaver:
  “The varied perspectives and diversity of experience is what makes New York City great.” [System Description]

Key Takeaways

• Support Local: Emphasizing the economic and cultural benefits of shopping locally, especially during the holiday season.

• Unique Gifts: Highlighting the availability of unique, high-quality gifts that reflect the diverse culture of New York City.

• Community Engagement: Encouraging listeners to engage with their communities by discovering and supporting small businesses.

• Experiential Gifting: Promoting experiences as meaningful and memorable gift options over traditional material items.

Final Remarks

"All Of It" successfully weaves together personal insights, business highlights, and listener interactions to provide a rich and engaging guide for holiday shoppers aiming to support local businesses. By featuring a broad spectrum of shops across various neighborhoods, the episode not only promotes economic support but also celebrates the cultural diversity that defines New York City.