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- [00:08]
A
This is all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. Coming up on tomorrow's show, the Radio City Rockettes are celebrating their centennial. Their director and choreographer joins us to talk about their history, their precision dance techniques. And we will have some local Rockettes right here in Studio plus we'll learn about a new exhibit at the New York historical that explores the richness of gay Harlem, the gay Harlem renaissance that's in the future. Now let's get this hour started in Queens. We're three days and counting until Christmas. It's the last night of Hanukkah. Kwanza is on the way and the gift giving spirit is fully upon us. We are encouraging people to spend their money in their community with our series go Local. And it features our guest expert, Caroline Weaver, AKA the locavore. She is a special specialist in New York City shops and the owner of one herself. The look of our variety store on 6th Avenue near 10th street, right across from the Jefferson Library. For the past month, she's joined us on Mondays to shout out a different borough. Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten island, the Bronx. And today we are headed to Queens. According to the most recent census, Queens had the largest growth of any borough in the city, almost 8%, with nearly 2.4 million people living there.
- [01:31]
B
So.
- [01:31]
A
So let's go shopping. It's time to go local. What is one place that you like to shop in Queens? For presents, give us a call, 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC. Maybe it's a hidden gem you'd like to glaze a bit. That number is 212433. WNYC. Food, homemade items, classes, anything you like in Queens, we'd like to hear about it. Our number is 2124-3396-9221-2433. WNYC. Caroline, it's our last week together.
- [02:06]
C
I'm going to miss coming here every Monday.
- [02:08]
A
We'll have you back, don't worry. As you've been following Queens, as someone who is an expert on local New York shopping, how would you describe the way Queens has changed over the few years?
- [02:21]
C
It really is changing as the population grows, as the demographic changes. There are a lot of really interesting shops with young business owners in Queens, many of whom are Queens natives, which I think is interest. There's also the Tangram mall in Flushing, which is new and so much fun. It is full of shops. They have pop mart, but they also have tons of local businesses as well. And I think it's a really surprising and rare example of what a contemporary shopping mall can look like. There's a lot of cool stuff happening in Queens right now and a lot of changes happening and neighborhoods like Astoria, I think they're due for revitalization soon with a lot of vacant storefronts, and I hope that's an opportunity for something new.
- [02:59]
A
Yeah.
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B
You know your guide, the locavore guide, it has all kinds of tips in it, and we've talked about a lot of them. Like, you should always ask before you take a picture and you should not be on your phone when you get to the register. Stuff like that. Is there anything that we've missed that you think is important for people to realize when they're shopping at a small local store?
- [03:18]
C
I think the biggest thing to remember is that you're in a space created by a human and you are interacting with humans. I think we're used to sending emails to customer service email accounts where we don't think about the fact that there's a person on the other side of that. And I think just to remember that there's a human aspect to all of this, and that's what makes it so wonderful.
- [03:35]
B
And I have to ask you, after this past weekend, we're gonna get into your list. How is shopping in your store?
- [03:41]
C
You know, historically, the weekend before this should have been our busiest. And I've heard from many shop owners around the city that this past weekend was their busiest weekend this year. It was harrowing. This job is not for the faint of heart. I was in the store at midnight restocking after Saturday because it was just chaotic and fun and wonderful.
- [04:00]
B
All right, let's get into your list. In Queens. I'm hoping I am pronouncing this right. I think we've had these guests on the show onier chocolates.
- [04:08]
C
I. I am probably pronouncing it wrong. I've always called it eigner chocolates.
- [04:13]
B
But somebody a, a I, G N E R chocolates, whoever knows how to say that, it's. Oh, it's one of the most beautiful stores ever. They say their mission is to spread joy and hope to communities through the magic of our chocolate. Tell us about their chocolates.
- [04:30]
C
I just love this chocolate shop. It's one of the oldest ones in New York city. And they have this gorgeous pistachio marzipan that's chocolate covered that I think makes a great host gift. My favorite thing to get there, though, is this chocolate pizza slice that they make. And it is. It's not the Size of a New York slice. But it is to scale a slice of pizza. And it's like textured, it has gold on the crust and it's drizzled with like white chocolate cheese and it has red pepperoni. And it's such a funny and delicious gift to give somebody.
- [04:59]
B
Is it the kind of store around the holidays to do special things for the holidays? Because, I mean, imagine a store like that. It's Easter's a big holiday. Christmas is a big holiday. Do they have special Christmasy kind of stuff?
- [05:12]
C
I believe that they do. I think they do a lot of gift sets, peppermint things. And it's, it's in, it's also on a stretch, I will say, of Metropolitan Avenue and Forest Hills where there are a lot of wonderful shops. So if you, if you head over there, go to Royal Collectibles across the street. There's all sorts of wonderful shops around there.
- [05:27]
B
Standalone cheese in Jackson Heights. Now this says, if you look, it says a cut to cheese, cut to order cheese shop. So what's unique about it in terms of gifts?
- [05:38]
C
Oh, this is the coolest little cheese shop and they, they have tons of European cheeses in their cheese counter where you can order by, by the pound, the quarter pound, whatever. But they also have lots of really carefully selected provisions. If you are, I imagine going there to buy a gift for somebody who like loves assembling charcuterie boards. Maybe you. And you get them all of the things that they need but the cheese and let them pick their own cheese. Or maybe you bring them the whole thing. Or maybe you're doing your own charcuterie board. It's a really special shop and it really is a one stop shop for that sort of stuff.
- [06:10]
A
Are they very serious about cheese or are they kind of, you might go in there and not know what you need and they're willing to help.
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C
Oh, this is the friendliest cheese shop of all time. It's owned by Stefan and Jenny, who are just an absolute delight and they can steer you in the right direction if you know nothing about cheese.
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A
They also have really good merch.
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C
I have to say they do. They have this little cheese character and these little mini totes. Their merch is very good.
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A
They have one that says the cheese stands alone, one of their tote bags. Classic. Let's get to calls. Let's talk to Rachel in Nyack. Hi Rachel, thanks for calling, all of it.
- [06:43]
D
Thanks for taking my call. Three days till Christmas. Three days till Christmas. Plenty time to do your Christmas shopping. So that's From a play. But anyway, that's from she loves me. But I have to tell you, Bliss in Sunnyside. Bliss is a woman owned business. It's a gift shop. It's tiny but it has more merchandise than you could ever possibly imagine for everybody. Wonderful, kitsch, funny, funky, pretty candles and things for children, Thoughtful books. She upcycles vintage clothes. Her name is Violet, who owns it. It's on 46th street and the corner of Skillman Avenue. I tried to look up the address for you in time, but I couldn't find it. But if you go to Skillman in 46, she's right there on the corner. She always has some things on the outside and she always has a hot toddy waiting for you on the outside so you can get drink and come in and browse. And I go there every year towards the end of my Christmas shopping to finish my shopping because I know that I will find things for anybody and everybody and it is the most wonderful and she is the loveliest lady that I could ever be giving a shout out to. And I just want to tell you all, Bliss and Sunnyside. She is so well respected by the people in the neighborhood that she gets voted one of the best in the neighborhood every year too. That's how wonderful she is.
- [08:22]
A
Well, thank you so much for calling in and thanks for the serenade at the top of that comment. Yes, that is big on your list. You had it right there. Tell us a bit more about Bliss by Violet Volition. Is that her name?
- [08:34]
C
Yeah, exactly. And that was an amazing endorsement. And this really is a beloved shop. People love this place. And I will also. I want to shout out. Violet's window displays are always these. Really, they're seasonal and they're always these like really fun scenes with mannequins. It's so fun to walk by and see what's going on in the window. But there's gotta be like 2000 SKUs in this tiny store. And she really puts an emphasis on women owned brands and local makers. And so the selection is really eccentric and quirky and thoughtful and you really can find something for everybody and go to her Instagram.
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B
Cause it's a lot of fun.
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C
It's really, really fun.
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A
Yes, let's take another call. Lynn is calling in from Astoria. Hi. L. Thanks for calling all of it.
- [09:18]
D
Hi, thank you. I'll make this quick because I'm sure you have other callers I want to recommend in CASA. It's on 37th street in Astoria between 31st Ave and Broadway. It's a Small home goods store. What I love about it is they pack a lot into the space. Everything is a very high quality and beautiful design. Many gift worthy items for people like myself who appreciate quality and good design, it could be things like candles, candlestick holders, table linens, serving platters and more.
- [09:55]
A
Thank you so much. It was on your list in Casa in Astoria. A reviewer said there's never remorse or regret because the items are quality and special. Tell us what we'll experience when we go to In Casa.
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B
Yeah.
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C
I love In Casa. The collars today really have very good taste. They have the most gorgeous tableware, ceramics and glassware that are made by Mexican artisans specifically. And the glassware I love especially a lot of it's really colorful and thick and stirable and really well priced too. If you're looking for affordable tableware that's unique, I can't think of a better place in Queens or really in the city to do it than at In Casa.
- [10:35]
A
Let's talk to Patrick who is calling in from Queens. Hi, Patrick, thanks for taking the time to call all of it.
- [10:42]
D
Sure. I love that you're doing a shop local segment. One of my favorite men's shops is Anthony's on Austin Street. He's got an amazing eclectic collection of accessories and fashionable menswear stuff that I've only seen at his shop. And just a fantastic little shop. And the other is a digital platform and that's Meanwhile back in Queensland. If anyone has not checked out the Meanwhile back in Queens. If you're a Queens native, the Queens lover you gotta like Meanwhile back in Queens.
- [11:16]
A
All right, thanks for the tip.
- [11:18]
B
This text says, I think it's Carmel Grocery on 108th street in Forest Hills.
- [11:25]
A
Known for its Middle Eastern, European and.
- [11:26]
B
Russian products, fresh roasted coffee and homemade items, and dips. That's an exciting store to go check out.
- [11:35]
A
Let's leave the food and let's go to art retail therapy. That store, it's a really unique store.
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B
So many different kinds of media you can use.
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A
What's the story behind art retail therapy?
- [11:49]
C
It is owned by Francisco, who is a Queens native. I believe that they are from Elmhurst and it is truly a community space for anybody who wants to make something or is learning to make something. They do a lot of classes and a lot of events there for adults and children, but they also sell art supplies and art supplies. Art supply stores are a dying breed of independent retail in New York City. And this is a relatively new shop too. And I would, I hope that this is the fact that art retail Therapy exists is a sign that we can have more independent art supply stores in New York City.
- [12:19]
B
So you can get, you can give people classes as a gift.
- [12:21]
C
Yeah, yeah.
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B
And it's interesting because they have a on their website, something for January they have listed hyper local heraldry, a two part workshop. Create your own coat of arms in air dry clay. That just seems like such a cool thing to do. And when I saw it, I was like, that sounds like something you would just give to somebody and they would never get that from anybody anywhere else.
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C
No, that sounds so much fun. I would love to go to that.
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B
Let's take another call. Maya in Ridgewood, Queens. Hi Maya, thanks for calling all of it.
- [12:52]
D
Hi, thanks for having me. I wanted to shout out Schmidt Candy in Woodhaven, right on Jamaica Avenue. It's 100 years old this year and they have the best chocolate in New York City. Margie makes all the chocolate and candy in the back. Her family has owned the place for generations. And you can find chocolate santas, marshmallow chocolates, cherry covered or chocolate covered cherries. And it's the sweetest tile covered old place with these like wooden walls and glass cases. It's just a great experience.
- [13:29]
B
Thanks for calling in. My guest is Caroline Weaver. She's the owner of the locavore variety store as as the look for guide to shopping in New York. She is our guest for go local. We're encouraging people to spend money in their own community. Today we are talking Queens. If you have a place you like to shop for presents in Queens, give us a call. 2124-3396-9221-2433 wnyc. Maybe it's a hidden gem you'd like to give a little glaze to. Our number is 2124-3396-9221-2433 WN4YC. You have Newtown HQ in Astoria. This seems like a. Well, what's the vibe? I'll get the vibe from you and then I'll tell you who I think would you would shop for here.
- [14:18]
C
Oh, okay. Well, Newtown HQ actually just did a little renovation and so it's, it's. Everything is refreshed. It is a. It is a gift shop that specializes in local makers and also pop culture gifts. So it's great if you're shopping for a teen.
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A
That's what I was gonna say.
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C
Or if you're shopping for somebody who just like who loves blind boxes or who collects plushies or loves stickers. She's got an amazing selection of Die cut stickers by local artists. So if you want to put together a little, like, sticker collection for somebody, that's a lot of fun. Cindy also loves sharing the work of artists in Mexico. She herself is Mexican. It's a really, really fun store. There's stationary. There's a little bit of something for everybody.
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A
What are blind boxes?
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C
Oh, a blind box. These are all the rage with younger people or adults too. They're really for all ages, but they're. They are. They always come in series, so it'll be like a, like Sunny angel is the most well known one. These people love them. She can't keep them in stock over at Newtown hq. And they are little tiny toys that will come in a series with a theme. And they come in these boxes and you don't know which one you're gonna get. And they usually cost around $10. So it's a fun, little, tiny, inexpensive gift to give somebody. And it's great because it's a surprise.
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B
Let's talk to Jennifer.
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A
Hey, Jennifer, thanks for calling all of us.
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D
Hey, how's it going going forward?
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A
How about for you?
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D
Awesome. It's great. Great. So breath owl in Astoria, Queens. All right, Astoria, the best part of Queens. But the breath owl, you can come in and get a lot of things that, you know, our Astoria with, with the Astoria logo, you can get a lot of things, you know, now for your, your kids and whatnot. The unfortunate part, and I don't want it to be, you know, be a downer, but the unfortunate part is they had another store which was totally for kids. Unfortunately, they had to lose that store. But the story. We're getting a lot in the stores, as you said, and this place is amazing.
- [16:20]
B
The Brass Owl.
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A
Thank you so much.
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B
That was on your list as well. One of the things I think is interesting is they separated in their, on.
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A
Their website into groups like the It Girl or the New Yorker. These are the different groups you can.
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B
You can buy for. What did you think of the Brass Owl?
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A
What, what's your take on it?
- [16:38]
C
Oh, the Brass Owl is wonderful. And the owner is a real advocate for independent retail and she does an amazing job of sourcing all. It's. It's a true gift shop. There's something in pretty much every little category. And so it is a great place to go. If you are shopping last minute and you don't know what you need and you need a gifting expert, go to the Brass Owl and talk to Nicole. So it's a great job.
- [17:00]
B
Let's talk to Sheila from Long Island City. Hi, Sheila. Thanks for calling, all of it.
- [17:05]
D
Hi. Thanks for focusing on my beloved Burrow Queen.
- [17:09]
B
Nice.
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D
So I want to bring up Lockwood. I don't know if that's been brought up. It's interesting. Comes up after the brass owl.
- [17:17]
B
So tell us about Lockwood. I know a little bit about it because it's on your list already. Caroline.
- [17:24]
D
Yeah. The owner, Mackenzie, and her wife raised their daughter in Astoria, and they have this great shop with all kinds of unique gifts, and they also have a little clothing shop around the corner. And so I just find I can get almost anything there. Housewares, bar supplies, candles, socks, even, like, vegan bags. They have all kinds of really fun stuff.
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B
That sounds like a great time. Do you want to add anything about Lockwood?
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C
Yeah, Lockwood is like a mini gift shop empire. They've got stores in Sunnyside, Queens, Astoria, also in Brooklyn. I first met Mackenzie years and years ago when I had a stationary shop. She does stationery really, really well. There is a Lockwood paper shop as well. It is another one of those stores where if you don't know what you need to get in the 11th hour, go to Lockwood. They will take care of you.
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A
I have to ask you about a store that sells ukuleles. Tell me a little bit about this store in Long Island City.
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C
So there is a very special store in Long Island City that is New York City's only ukulele specialist. They've been around for about 10 years, and they only sell ukuleles, and they're. They sell them for anybody. You could be a total beginner. You could be buying a ukulele for a kid who wants to learn, and they. They have something for you. They're ranging from under $100 to about $300, maybe a little more for a premium model.
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A
There's this woman who was on your Instagram, and it was a great series you did. Helen Levi. Helen Levy Levy in Ridgewood. She's a ceramicist. Tell us what kind of things she creates.
- [18:57]
C
Well, she first became very well known on Instagram for these swirly mugs that she makes. She's very, very popular for her mugs and for her tableware. And everything is so beautifully crafted and durable. It's great for everyday life. It's not too precious. And she just has a really. A really interesting perspective on ceramics for everyday life. And her studio. It's too late now for gift shopping, but her studio is open to everybody on Saturdays, every single Saturday to shop her seconds, to shop her regular Items and you get all sorts of quirky things that she's test out that you'll never see online. It's really fun to visit on Saturdays. But I wanted to mention that she does this fun thing called Cup Club where you can buy somebody a subscription to Cup Club. This is a great gift for somebody who loves handmade ceramics. And you get sent a mug for I think every quarter for a whole year. And it's a cup that is exclusive to Cup Club. So you can only get it if you are in Cup Club.
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A
I love that Cup Club. That's excellent. That's Helen Levy in Ridgewood, left field, also in Ridgewood. It's been around since 1998. They take, take jeans quite seriously at this store.
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C
Oh yeah. This store is so special. They specialize in American made clothing and it is. They actually just released a new style of women's denim. But it is, it is mostly menswear and it's Americana workwear. So it's very vintage and aesthetic. It's very, very well made stuff. But you can also find vintage ephemera and vintage accessories. These amazing tube socks. Their knitwear is awesome. It's a really special, very, very local brand. And it is in a. It' in a space that used to be a sweater factory.
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A
Oh, that's cool. Oh, that's really cool. Gamestoria in Astoria. This looks kind of like a store slash hangout place.
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C
Yeah, there are several shops of this type in the city where you can go and you can buy tabletop games, but you can also meet your friends there and play them. And they've got all of the really like independent game maker deep Cut games there. But they also have. Which is very much not my world, but they also have things for children and in classics you can get special editions of Monopoly, but you can also get all of additions of Magic the Gathering cards they've got. If it's a game, they probably have it.
- [21:09]
A
And you have down here, it's in Long Island City. It's called Mog Mog Market.
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B
Is this a grocery store?
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C
It is. It's a Japanese market. You can get amazing fish there and prepared food and sushi to go. But they also have a lot of really wonderful specialty Japanese grocery items. So it's a lot of classic stuff that you see in a lot of stores, but it's a lot of imported stuff from small brands, small makers. They also have. In Japan there's a. There's, I guess a little bit of a custom around luxury fruits as gifts. And I don't know if they have them in stock right now, but they are known for having yubari melons in stock, which are those very fancy Japanese melons. I think they're like $100. But yeah, they're the only place in New York City that I know of that sells them.
- [21:57]
B
This text says Timeless and Finds Austin Street, Forest Hills across from Brown Harris Stevens. It's a beautiful small vintage antique gift stor. It's not on busy Austin street, which is really nice. This text also says cookie crumbs on Ditmar in Astoria. Lots of little gifts. Coffee and of course cookies. Especially a gluten free oatmeal cookie, which is amazing. Is there any place else in Queens you want to mention?
- [22:25]
C
Oh my goodness. Well, I there. There are so many neighborhoods in Queens right now that you can just go and wander and find great shops. Astoria is one of them. Ridgewood especially is having a moment. There are so many great shops in Ridgewood. You can amazing fancy furniture at Lichen. You can find locally made accessories at Graceland. You can find books at Topos and their sister store, Topos too. There's a store called Forever Young that specializes in kids things. If you're looking to just roam around and do some shopping, head to Ridgewood. Queens is a really diverse borough, also in its shopping this is our last.
- [23:01]
B
Time talking to you before the holiday season wraps up. Do you have any last thoughts on gifts? Do you have any last thoughts on being a small business owner? Just your chance to speak your piece.
- [23:14]
C
Yeah, well, with gifting, I mean, we have so much information at our fingertips. These days, I think we forget that you can just trust your gut. It's a cliche, but as they say, it's the thought that counts. Go to a store, see what speaks to you. See what reminds you of somebody. Those gifts often tend to be the best ones. And do it in a physical retail store because that's where the magic happens. And if we want shops to exist, we can't let them be the background rounds of our lives. We have to participate and we have to actually shop at the shops.
- [23:43]
B
Caroline Weaver has joined us every Monday for the past month. She has shared places to shop locally in all five boroughs. If you missed any of the conversations, they're available. Wherever you get your podcasts, the transcripts are available as well. You can stream them from our show page on wnyc.org you can also visit her store, the Locavore Variety Store, and pick up a copy of her book, the Locavore Guide to Shopping in New York City. I want to say a. A big thank you for joining us. We really appreciate it. And there's a gift for you on.
- [24:15]
C
The other side of the door. Oh, that is so nice. Thank you. It has been an absolute blast. Hey girl.
- [24:22]
B
What's happen?
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C
Is that your antiperspirant? Uh, yeah. Let me see that can. Aluminum butane. I cannot pronounce that. You have to switch to native deodorant. Native simple formula has only clean ingredients. It gives you effective 72 hour odor protection with no hydrocarbon propellants. Wow, this smells heavenly clean. Effective 72 hour odor protection isn't a myth.
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B
Pacifico is a Mexican lager brood to be discovered. It's like fresh tracks on a powder.
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A
Day like that uncharted trail a stone's.
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C
Throw away like the perfect wave on a sunny day Pacifico. Find your own way.
- [25:08]
B
21 plus drink responsibly.
- [25:10]
C
Imported by Crown Import, Chicago, Illinois.