Podcast Summary: "Shop Local: Staten Island"

Podcast: All Of It with Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Date: November 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off the "Go Local" series, dedicated to encouraging New Yorkers to support small businesses in their boroughs during the holiday season. Host Alison Stewart is joined by Caroline Weaver, author of The Locavore Guide to Shopping NYC and owner of the Locavore Variety Store, to spotlight the vibrant independent retail scene of Staten Island. Weaver shares tips, trends, and highlights her favorite local shops, while listeners call in to shout out their beloved neighborhood businesses.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Importance of Shopping Local

• Economic Impact: Both Alison and Caroline emphasize that even small decisions to buy locally (“just one or two presents”) can make a significant difference for community businesses, especially since "so many businesses really, really rely on very strong Q4 sales because that makes up most of their inc." (Caroline Weaver, 02:55)
• Community Character: Shopping local fosters connection and maintains the unique character of neighborhoods.

Caroline Weaver's Experiences & Observations

• Running a Shop: Caroline reflects on her evolution from owning a hyper-specialized pencil shop to running a general store focused on independent brands within 100 miles of NYC. She admits, "It is a harrowing experience... running a shop like that during the Christmas season taught me a lot of lessons." (Caroline, 02:55)
• Keeping Track of Trends: Her Instagram and TikTok content help New Yorkers "find shops more easily" and demonstrate that shopping local "is not as hard as people think it is." (03:36)

Shopping Trends in 2025

• Everything is Vintage: Vintage shops (especially clothing) are "by far the fastest growing category" in her database, with a continuous boom in openings. (04:10)
• Back to Basics: A resurgence of "shopping in real life" and analog experiences, like physical catalogs. Example: Outline on Atlantic Avenue removed online sales, replacing them with a "beautiful catalog". (04:44)

Shopping Etiquette

• Put Your Phone Away: Cashiers’ top complaint is customers on their phones while checking out: "It's a Respect thing." (05:20)
• Ask Before You Video: Remember, stores are private spaces and it's respectful to ask before filming: "Most shops will say yes… but I just think it’s good etiquette to ask first." (05:46)

Staten Island Small Business Highlights

1. Steph's Creativity Corner (7305 Amboy Ave.)

• Only independent toy store on Staten Island.
• Offers personalized gifts, monogrammed items, and curated baskets for young children.
• “She does really cool personalized gifts… If you're looking for something with a name painted on it… it's a really special shop.” (Caroline, 06:52)

2. Nothing New Thrift Shop

• Listener Julia recommends for unique gifts, jewelry, and keychains; praised for the owner's community spirit.
• “Amazing local business… The owner, Jody, is just an amazing, incredible community figure.” (Julia, 07:48)

3. Everything Goes Book Café & Furniture Store (208 Bay St. / 17 Brook St.)

• Book café serves as a community hub, selling eclectic books and fair trade coffee. Also hosts events.
• Furniture/clothing store nearby (up the street) specializes in vintage. "You can go there and hang around for a couple of hours and talk to people and have a coffee." (Caroline, 09:23)

4. Holiday Beverage (4569 Amboy Avenue)

• Old-school distributor with a robust selection of local and seasonal craft beers.
• Ideal for “something that's special or interesting” for parties or gatherings. (Caroline, 10:18)

5. St. George Theatre

• Listener Dean reminds the audience that tickets make great gifts and support a historic, nonprofit venue celebrating 95 years.
• “They do programs for children so you can… have a great experience.” (Dean, 10:50)

6. Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Chinese Scholar Garden

• Highlighted in multiple listener texts as a "hidden gem" and great for family experiences.

7. Fresh Kills Barbershop

• Listener shout-out for its inclusive, welcoming vibe and fun amenities (old arcade games).

8. Gifted (7717 Forest Ave.)

• “A very pretty little gift shop” specializing in seasonal, decorative goods ideal as host gifts.
• “If you want to bring them something pretty to display in their home... that’s the place to do it.” (Caroline, 13:19)

9. Historic Richmond Town—Gift Shop (441 Clark Ave.)

• Living history village with 20+ historic buildings and immersive craft experiences. Shop sells handmade items made onsite: Victorian tinsel, brooms, butter stamps, tin pitchers, and quirky finds like the “mortality fan”.
• “One of the coolest places I've been to recently.” (Caroline, 14:07)
• Notable moment: The co-host marvels at the “colonial woman's mortality fan” – a moral compass accessory! (15:10)

10. Hypnotronic Comics

• Easy ferry access; specializes in classic comics, collectible toys, games.
• “A really cool place to go if you have somebody in your life who loves comic books..." (Caroline, 16:08)

11. Problem Baker (Castleton Ave.)

• Noted for “the most incredible cookies.” (Listener text, 16:26)

12. Staten Island Children’s Museum

• Listener recommended as perfect for gifts to grandchildren.

13. Frag Farm (227 Main St.)

• Most specialized shop: "They grow and sell rare coral."
• “When you’re in there, it’s dark and they’re just like, glowing. It is so cool.” (Caroline, 18:02)
• Emphasized: Staff are experts and welcome all questions, regardless of your knowledge level.

14. Plum Paperie (57 New Dorp Plaza)

• Boutique stationery store specializing in custom invitations; located with a cluster of small shops.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Shopping Local:
  “So many businesses really, really rely on very strong Q4 sales because that makes up most of their inc.” (Caroline Weaver, 02:55)
• On Vintage Shops:
  “Vintage stores are by far the fastest growing category in our database… There are so many new vintage stores opening.” (Caroline, 04:10)
• On Shop Etiquette:
  “When people are actively on the phone while checking out… it's a Respect thing.” (Caroline, 05:20) “When you're in somebody's store, you're in their space and they might have something special that they don't want everybody to know about.” (Caroline, 05:46)
• On Frag Farm:
  “They have really, really bizarre specimen there. And when you’re in there, it’s dark and they’re just like, glowing.” (Caroline, 18:02)
  “People who are experts and who have shops that are open to the public love talking about this stuff. They don’t want you to feel intimidated.” (Caroline, 19:22)

Listener Shout-Outs (Selected)

• Nothing New Thrift Shop — “Amazing community presence.” (Julia, 07:48)
• Everything Goes Café and Furniture — “Wonderful place for coffee and books.” (Leslie/Kathy, 08:29)
• St. George Theatre — “If people could buy tickets or give people tickets... It’s 95 years this year.” (Dean, 10:50)
• Fresh Kills Barbershop — “Real sense of community... shout out to Jackie!” (Listener text, 12:16)

Segment Timestamps for Easy Skimming

| Time | Segment / Topic | |------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:09 | Introduction to Shop Local Series | | 02:55 | Caroline Weaver on running a small business | | 04:02 | 2025 Shopping Trends: Vintage and Back to Basics | | 05:20 | Shop Etiquette: Phone and Filming | | 06:52 | Steph’s Creativity Corner | | 07:42 | Listener: Nothing New Thrift Shop | | 08:29 | Listener: Everything Goes café + Caroline’s endorsement | | 10:18 | Holiday Beverage | | 10:50 | Listener: St. George Theatre | | 11:53 | Snug Harbor and Chinese Scholar Garden recommendations | | 13:19 | Gifted Gift Shop | | 14:07 | Historic Richmond Town gift shop and unusual gifts | | 16:01 | Hypnotronic Comics | | 16:26 | Listener: Problem Baker & Children’s Museum | | 18:02 | Frag Farm (coral shop) | | 20:10 | Plum Paperie (stationery) |

Tone & Final Reflections

The conversation is lively and enthusiastic, blending practical tips with warm encouragement to discover the unique joys of supporting local businesses. Caroline’s expertise and passion, along with a steady stream of listener stories, make this an inspiring guide to Staten Island’s small business scene.

Closing Message:
Shop local, ask questions, be respectful, and take pride in supporting the creativity and resilience of your neighborhood shops—especially during the busy holiday season.