Podcast Summary: All Of It – Go Local: The Bronx

Host: David Fuerst (in for Alison Stewart)
Guest: Caroline Weaver, author of The Locavore Guide to Shopping New York City 2026
Aired: December 15, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode spotlights small, independent businesses in the Bronx, as part of the show’s “Go Local” holiday shopping series. Guest expert Caroline Weaver guides listeners through her favorite local shops, shares gifting recommendations, and offers etiquette tips for supporting neighborhood retailers. Listeners also call in with their own Bronx favorites, creating a collaborative map of where to shop local for the holidays.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Magic of Arthur Avenue (01:16-04:34)

• Arthur Avenue described as the heart of Italian food shopping in NYC, “densely populated with Italian businesses” — restaurants, bakeries, markets with decades of history.
• Weaver highlights the uniqueness of grandfathered businesses, like Terra Nova Bakery’s wood-fired oven and the sausage-curing traditions at Calabria Pork Store, which are rare “old processes” (01:16).

Notable Arthur Avenue Recommendations

• Sereni Coffee & Gifts
  “A family owned importer of Italian goods… tons and tons of coffee, but they also have other grocery items that are very hard to find, like Pocket Coffee… fun little sodas… a great place to stock up on something special.” — Caroline Weaver (02:33)

• Tidal Brothers Market
  “This is an iconic little, tiny, crowded grocery store. They do a lot of wholesale… amazing place to go for bulk quantities of things like almond paste… best deal in New York City at Tidal Brothers.” — Weaver (03:02)

• Cosenza’s and Randazzo’s Fish Markets
  “Equally wonderful competing fish markets across the street... Both also serve oysters on the sidewalk, which is such a fun experience.” — Weaver (03:30)

• Borgatti’s Ravioli
  “Really fun flavors of dried fettuccine… great gift… for a friend who’s busy during holiday season… easy to make for dinner.” — Weaver (04:15)

Beyond Arthur Avenue: Unique Bronx Shops (04:59-06:41)

• Maryanne’s Irish Craft and Design Shop (Riverdale)
  Specializes in authentic Irish imports, especially Aran sweaters and pottery. All products imported from Ireland.
  “Been around for about 35 years… prices range from $60 for a kid’s sweater, up to $350… a really unique specialist.” — Weaver (04:59-05:44)

• The Importance of Shopping Local
  “Shopping is a social activity… good for our social wellness… opportunity to learn things. You can go to a shop and ask an expert… instant gratification.” — Weaver (06:06)

Listener Call-ins and Community Picks

• Frank’s Sporting Goods (Tremont Ave & Park Ave)
  “Been there forever… survived many difficult decades in the Bronx… absolutely every kind of sports jersey or uniform… old school decor, beautiful neon.” — Joel, caller from Mexico City (07:40)

  • “There are almost no independently owned… sporting goods stores left… Frank’s is really special… It’s a little overwhelming in a really fun way.” — Weaver (08:25-08:59)

• Tino’s Deli (Arthur Avenue)
  “A terrific deli” — quick shout-out via text (06:47)

Etiquette Tips for 21st Century Shoppers

(Caroline Weaver’s “new rules” from her book, 09:53-11:23)

• Be mindful of time
  “If you are using the time of somebody who works [in a store]… make sure that you are making a purchase… please don’t go and ask questions and then go on Amazon and buy that thing at a lower price. That extra dollar you’re paying goes towards the expert advice you are getting.” — Weaver (09:53-10:35)

• Don’t ask for discounts
  “The way that goods are priced… is different to a big box store… it’s not appropriate to haggle with a small business owner… haggling is outdated in general.” — Weaver (11:02)

• Respect the inventory
  “Please don’t bring food and beverages into a shop… people putting their coffee on books… appalling... If you gather some things and you decide you no longer want to purchase them, please don’t put them on a random display. Please bring them to the counter.” — Weaver (17:32)

Further Highlights: More Local Favorites

• Bronx Beer Hall (Arthur Avenue Retail Market)
  “An incredible old school big building… in the middle… the Bronx Beer Hall… you can bring food from the different vendors, revolving menu of New York State beers… the two brothers that started it are really trying to promote Bronx businesses.” — Caller James, Manhattan (11:39-12:42)

  • “A great place to start when you go to Arthur Avenue… you can get hand-rolled cigars, produce, sandwich, you can find it all there.” — Weaver (12:45)

• Dan’s Parents House (City Island, 239 City Island Ave)
  “A house that is packed full of nostalgic vintage toys… started out because Dan had all these toys from his own 80s childhood… turned into a full-fledged retail store… mint condition Barbies, old trading cards, fun mystery boxes… It is a really fun place to explore.” — Weaver (13:16)

  • “Your childhood revisited.” — Store slogan cited by Host (14:01)

• The Lit Bar (Mott Haven)
  “A bookstore with a little bar in the back… Noel Santos opened this shop in 2019, in response to the Barnes & Noble in the Bronx closing… amazing bookstore… specializes in representation for their home community… a bookstore for the Bronx by somebody from the Bronx.” — Weaver (14:53)

• Bronx Native (Mott Haven)
  “Apparel store… community hub… Amaris does tons of community initiatives… big events, Bronx Native Day, collaborates with institutions like NY Botanical Garden… great place for streetwear or apparel for somebody with Bronx pride.” — Weaver (15:43)

• Takeout (Fordham Heights)
  “Really cool streetwear store… not just men’s clothes and sneakers… limited sneaker releases, easy, giftable, cool accessories by Gramici, North Face… say your daughter wants a pair of adidas sambas, can get that there.” — Weaver (16:46)

Small Business Trends and Local Shopping Psychology

• Nostalgia in Gifting
  “We cannot keep roll on body glitter in stock… reminiscent of fun, cheap, cheerful beauty products from the early 2000s… people want something that’s going to inspire nostalgia, be joyful, and not cost a million dollars.” — Weaver (18:52)

• Last-minute Gifting
  “A great place to come and buy all the things that you may have forgotten.” — Weaver, on her own Locavore Variety Store (18:30)

Notable Quotes

• “Shopping is a social activity, and you are naturally encountering people. It is good for our social wellness… it’s a great opportunity to learn things.” — Caroline Weaver [06:06]
• “If you are using the time of somebody who works there… make sure that you are making a purchase… don’t just ask questions and then buy it on Amazon.” — Caroline Weaver [10:22]
• “Frank’s is really special because they cover camping gear, workout gear, sporting goods… jam packed and a little overwhelming in a really fun way.” — Caroline Weaver [08:25]
• “Lit Bar… specializes in representation for their home community… a bookstore for the Bronx by somebody from the Bronx.” — Caroline Weaver [15:24]
• “We cannot keep roll on body glitter in stock… I think this year, especially because there’s so much economic volatility, people want something that’s going to inspire nostalgia…” — Caroline Weaver [18:52]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Arthur Avenue intro & food shops: 01:13–04:34
• Irish crafts & shopping local: 04:59–06:41
• Frank’s Sporting Goods: 07:40–09:07
• Essential Etiquette for Local Shopping: 09:53–11:23; 17:24–18:17
• Bronx Beer Hall: 11:39–12:55
• Dan’s Parents House: 13:16–14:35
• Lit Bar & Bronx Native: 14:53–16:25
• Takeout (streetwear): 16:45–17:24
• Nostalgia in gifting trends: 18:52–19:31

Tone and Atmosphere

The conversation is lively, passionate, and infused with personal anecdotes and community pride. Weaver is both knowledgeable and exuberant, painting vivid pictures of each shop, from “sausage-cured ceilings” to aisles overflowing with vintage toys. Callers further ground the segment in lived experience, emphasizing the Bronx’s enduring spirit of entrepreneurship and cultural collaboration.

For Listeners: Main Takeaways

• Arthur Avenue offers uniquely preserved food traditions perfect for gifting or festive meals.
• The Bronx is home to distinctive, long-standing, and family-owned retailers across all categories—food, fashion, books, toys, and more.
• Shopping local fosters genuine connections, supports community wellness, and delivers experiences big-box stores and online shopping simply can’t.
• Respect for shopkeepers’ time, inventory, and pricing sustains these beloved businesses.
• Holiday gifting trends this year lean into affordable nostalgia and community pride.
• The episode is packed with celebratory Bronx recommendations perfect for supporting local, now and all year.

Recommended: If you’re in NYC or shopping for someone who loves it, make a trip to the Bronx for memorable, meaningful gifts—and a taste of city history you can’t order online.