More than one of these ladies kicked a career to the curb to set up shop. Inspiration right this way…
It’s International Women’s Day on March 8, but shouldn’t every day be an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments and work of our female friends? In honor of the many enterprising ladies in town, we’re spotlighting some of our favorite women entrepreneurs running businesses in NYC. Take a look, then go spend in solidarity!
DA SPOT NYC
Da Spot
DA SPOT NYC, a unique fashion boutique in City Point, Brooklyn, not only features 25-plus independent creative brands by people of color but it also houses C.A.N.V.A.S. Art Gallery, featuring the work of local artists. Co-owner Michelle Cadore's goal is to create a unique space to amplify the voices of Black and POC creatives. “As native New Yorkers and Brooklynites like me and my partners liken running a business here to living our wildest dreams out loud. The other thing that drives me forward: Being able to support the local community," she says.
445 Albee Square West City Point Online:daspotnyc.com
Yu & Me Books
Lucy Yu is not even 30 yet, but she's opened NYC's first female-owned Asian American bookstore in Chinatown. The shop, which is also a cafe and bar debuted in late 2021. It highlights works by Asian authors and books that feature the stories of immigrants. Closed Mondays.
Cricket Azima is clearly always cooking up something (she's founder of Kids Food Festival, The Creative Kitchen and author of Everybody Eats Lunch & Everybody Can Cook) but her latest project is Cricket’s Candy Creations in Tribeca. Kids (and parents) can create and play with candy of all kinds (edible slime, candy jewelry, delicious fingerpaint, etc.), enjoy candy-themed films in the screening room, marvel at Wonka-esque installations and more. And of course, you can host a birthday party here or even go to camp.
We know it may be hard to believe, but some people say Kafi Dublin's Gooey On the Inside cookies rival a certain other cookie with a cult following in NYC. (Starts with an "L"...) Named for their distinct, some would argue ideal, texture, these cookies come in classic and creative flavors that include chocolate chip, s'mores and Cap'n Crunch peanut butter. (Or get a molten cookie in a jar. Yum.) Good to know: cookie Happy Hour runs from 4-6 p.m., when $5 cookies are $3.
Love cute, fashionable and distinct kids' clothes but not so into the cost (or trying to find them in the right size?) Check out Dopple, the creation of co-founder and CEO Chao Wang. This subscription service for stylish and affordable clothing for children, which offers pieces from brands such as Stella McCartney, Chloé, Bonpoint and Dôen, makes it easy to up your kid's look without going broke. You can also order a single "Dopple Drop", a cute starter outfit set for newborns (in various styles) as a gift for new parents.
Love Adorned is fine jewelry and lifestyle store (and experience) founded by Lori Leven. Head here for unique and vintage jewelry pieces, curated housewares, dried flowers, good-smelling stuff (soap, incense, candles), fun things for kids and more. Visit them in the Village or in Amagansett.
Run by local moms, Union Square Play offers classes, workshops and open play for members, while also serving as a place and forum for parents to connect. In addition to in-person events, they host many virtual meetups and new mom groups. The pandemic meant closing the original space; now you'll find them on 11th and a Lalo on Bond Street, where select classes are held.
At Babe of Brooklyn, the goal has always been to develop old-school all-natural grooming/beard-care products. “One of the greatest things for us are the people we have encountered along our journey. Being in NYC has fueled our outlook on how we approach the business and life by making sure we gain access to and provide quality products and making sure all things Babe of Brooklyn are genuine," says owner Tameka Allen
At Saskia, a jewelry studio in Industry City, every bead tells a story and every beaded necklace or bracelet (whether you make it using a DIY kit or purchase one that owner Saskia de Vries has created) is as unique as you are. “I love doing business in NYC for the same reason I always wanted to live here—the mix of cultures, the human interest, the appreciation for flair and color and the adoration of art in all forms," she says.
67 35th St. Industry City 718-369-2151 Online: shopsaskia.com
Awesome Brooklyn
At Awesome Brooklyn, a gift shop in Prospect Lefferts Gardens that opened in 2017, the specialty is gifts that are so awesome you’ll want them for yourself. Last year brought the introduction of Awesome Home store, located next door. Keep an eye on the Awesome Brooklyn Instagram for the latest products coming into the shop, and the creative window displays owner Vanessa Raptopoulos designs.
At Clever Alice, a Nolita shop that hosts multi-brand women’s designer sample sales, it’s always an adventure to browse the racks for dresses, jumpsuits and handbags. Owner Tamara Chaponot is curator in chief, sharing both bargains, fashion forecasts, and thoughts on sustainability.
When you stop in for coffee at one of the three Bean & Bean Coffee Roasters in NYC, you’re supporting a mother-daughter business that’s all about giving back. The goal of these two coffee sommeliers: To bridge the gender gap in the coffee world by supporting women farmers and helping out the environment by donating part of their profits towards helping injured sloths in coffee-producing countries.
Tucked in the West Village since 2015: A doughnut shop with a cult following that might stem from the fact that each hand-crafted pastry draws inspiration from food and cocktails. Best of all, it’s a team of three female employees who are creating these unique gourmet doughnuts, like The Everything and Lemon Love Letter. Co-founder and owner Leslie Polizzotto says that some people even drive into the city on weekends from Connecticut, New Jersey and Long Island to get a doughnut fix.
Since 2005, Let’s Dress Up has been the Upper East Side spot for fairytale-themed tea and birthday parties. Since COVID-19, this beloved space has kept is super safe, reopening with small format and private events as well as some virtual offerings. “The greatest thing for us is interacting with the kids, in person or on a screen, and hearing their excitement and laughter as they participate in one of our events," says co-owner Samantha Myers. "Even if it inevitably ends up with them waving a magic wand and pretending to turn me into a frog!”
Home chefs can now provide a ‘taste of home’ via WoodSpoon, a community-based marketplace that has been delivering home-cooked dishes to New Yorkers since its inception in January 2019. Co-founder and CMO Merav Kalish Rozengarten says some of the most popular items are comfort foods like delicious breads, pastas and soups "Like your grandma used to make. You can’t get that at a restaurant.”
Michael Vaughn is a “Great Value brand Seth Rogen,” a “Licensed Girl Dad,” and he’s tired of the annoying little girl clothes on the market. The TikToker, who goes by @world.shaker, did a stitch video last year with @ericasaystuff and answered the question: “tell me about the time you realized the over-sexualization of women starts incredible young.”
“It was 100% the clothes. I knew it was going to be bad but I didn’t know how bad,” says Vaughn. “Then we got a onesie for our daughter that said, ‘Sorry, boys, Dad says no dating.’ Sized for a newborn. I guess I’m wondering who they thought was gonna date our zero-month-old daughter.”
“All the girl clothes are remarkably annoying for so many reasons…Why is everything hyper pink?…Why are the girl clothes smaller than boy clothes when they’re the same size?” Vaughn questions. “I don’t get why boys get normal shorts and my daughter gets shorts with an inseam of negative 2.”
Parents have long touted the issues with finding girls clothes that aren’t skin-tight and super short. Then add in school districts who unfairly penalize clothing like dresses and skirts, categorizing them as more “sexual” and “unprofessional” than pants, and we basically have no where left to turn––except the boys section.
Naysayers will have parents believe that girls clothing is smaller and tighter because “boys are bigger than girls,” which is just false, says Vaughn in a follow up video. If you really think about it, girls clothes are designed to be form-fitting and not always built for play, while boys clothes are meant for comfort and function.
So if boys and girls are the same size, why then do clothing companies continue to market their clothing the way they do? And if girls clothing uses less fabric because they are smaller than the boy version, shouldn’t it be cheaper instead of more expensive (i.e., the dreaded pink tax), as so often is the case?
While there is much to be frustrated about, parents have a few options. We can continue to advocate for our kids when it comes to holding clothing companies accountable for their sizing and manufacturing processes and we can also shop gender neutral brands who put an emphasis on children, not boys and girls.
Inclusivity can be taught from a very young age and these companies are doing their part to make the toy landscape a diverse one. From a doll that looks like your child to one that teaches about their medical condition, diverse toys can make us feel valued as humans and show us that there’s a whole world beyond our front door.
Barbie Inspiring Women Series
Showcasing women who've made the world a better place through determination and fighting for justice and equal opportunity, Barbie's Inspiring Women Series includes change makers like Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Maya Angelou, and Hellen Keller. Now the collection has a new doll: civil rights activities and women's suffragette, Ida B. Wells.
Wells co-founded the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) which fight for freedom, justice, and equal opportunity to this day. Not only does the doll pay homage to this history-making woman, but Barbie has also partnered with Girls Write Now, a non-profit organization that removes gender, race, age, and poverty barriers to mentor future writers and leaders.
Teni and Tayo Creations are excited to share a piece of Africa with young children. Omobola Imoisili founded the brand after relocating to L.A. from Nigeria and wanting to give her small daughters something representative of their heritage while they attend school. Brand mascots Feyi Fay, a superhero fairy, and Captain Nosa, a Nigerian scientist, and superhero, encourage kids to do well in school and promote a love of learning in all the brand’s offerings. From STEM toys to books and apparel, there are diverse toys available for everyone.
ISH Dolls creates diverse toys and clothing that celebrate culture and the Hindu faith. Their colorful plush dolls are designed to bring joy to children of all backgrounds and to introduce them to the avatars found in Hindu culture. This mom-owned business launched at the height of the pandemic in May 2020 with its first plush, Baby Krishna, and followed up with his companions Rahda, Durga and Baby Lakshmi.
Everything—and everyone—is awesome! Inspired by the rainbow flag of the LGBTQIA+ community, LEGO's “Everyone is Awesome” 346-piece set features 11 unique monochrome figures with individual colors and hairstyles. Once completed, it’s the perfect size for a desk or window display, to bring a colorful pop to life every day.
Qai Qai is no ordinary doll; since appearing on social media alongside Serena Williams, Alexis Ohanian, and their daughter Olympia, Qai Qai has amassed thousands of followers of her own. According to Serena Williams, "When we first opened @RealQaiQai's account on Instagram two years ago, it was just supposed to be an inside joke, but we've come to realize that Qai Qai could be the beginning of a new kind of toy story, and one that we're excited to help bring to life so our daughter and millions of other children can see and play with more toys that look like them."
Your heart will melt at the cute offerings from Red & Olive. Not only are the knit ethical dolls adorable, but they also help support the artisans who handmake each one. Each fair trade doll is handmade by Peruvian artists, empowering them to provide for themselves and their families. The companion dolls come with either matching beanies or bows.
Celebrate the culture and traditions of India with Modi Toys. This family-owned small business offers plush diverse toys and gift baskets that feature Baby Ganesh, Baby Krishna, and Baby Hanuman along with books that explain their history. You can even personalize the plush toys with a baby's name—the perfect gift for a new arrival.
Diversify your child's bookshelf with the help of The Little Feminist Books Club. When you select the 7-9 age group, you will get two paperbacks or one hardcover book each month, along with a hands-on activity that goes along with the book, a discussion card, and a parent letter explaining why the book was chosen.
The Healthy Roots Doll Zoe is a life-like 18” doll with hair uniquely designed with curl power that allows it to be washed and styled, giving kids the chance to learn more about how to care for their curls by practicing on hers. The inspiration for Zoe came from Yelitsa Jean-Charles, a young woman—who like many others—never had a doll that looked like her growing up.
Kids can use real products and try out countless styles from puffs to box braids! Zoe learned to love her hair after she did the big chop with her mom. Together they learned how to love every single one of her curls. Now she’s here to help other girls learn to love their curls.
Check out these dolls for girls on a mission to change the world. Inspired by their upbringing in Brooklyn, New York, twin sisters Laken and Carlissa King sought to create dolls that spark creativity and celebrate togetherness.
Worldgirls are 18-inch dolls representing girls from around the world who are chosen to attend the top-secret school, Worldgirls Hall. Each Worldgirl is assigned 1 of 5 traits: WARRIOR, HEALER, EXPLORER, REBEL, and SCHOLAR. The company created the traits so children could connect with the dolls' unique passions rather than their looks.
When Dr. Lisa Williams, CEO & Founder of the only Black-owned major doll company, saw the psychological implications of the importance of your toy box no matter your race or ethnicity, she created the Positively Perfect Dolls for younger children. In recent years her company has created The Fresh Dolls featuring black and multicultural fashion dolls and accessories. The Fresh Dolls were intentionally created with fuller hips and thighs, and a more realistic waistline, with trendy fashion pieces. New this year is their Wakanda Forever superhero line!
If you’ve ever had the frustration of finding dolls that look like your family (or friends!), you’ll LOVE this. Multiracial families, same-sex families, single-parent families, and adoptive families can now construct dolls that capture the beautiful reality of their households. MyFamilyBuilders is a unique, educational wooden diverse toy that is stackable and magnetic to create the perfect doll.
Created by single adoptive mom Kayla Lupean, Play Maysie is a portable, customizable world in a case for the pint-sized bunch. Noted as “everything a dollhouse should be,” this diverse toy is a gender-neutral classic childhood favorite that is made for adventures. Play Maysie’s design was inspired by the nostalgia of vintage tin lunchboxes. It folds out on both sides to showcase interchangeable, magnetic rooms with fixed wooden furniture—built for frustration-free play, less mess and no more lost pieces! With an eye on teaching sustainability, each Play Maysie is made of eco-friendly, renewable materials for indoor and outdoor play either at home or on the go.
At the core of the company's mission, for every three Play Maysie cases purchased, they will donate another one to a child who is entering the foster care system. Their hope is, with an integral sense of ownership, foster youth can open their Play Maysie case at any time to create an experience where they feel safe, secure, and in control during a time where nearly everything in their world is unfamiliar.
While you might be used to seeing ribbon wands in rainbow or pastel colors, the Melanin Magic Ribbon Wands are a celebration of melanin. Kids need to see all skin tones all together all on the same toy. Each ribbon deserves a place and the rainbow would look incomplete if it were missing one. These simple toys make a wonderful gross motor skills tool for dancing, twirling, jumping, and shaking. They also make a great conversation starter for kids. Purchasing one of these diverse toys support Brown Babes Rep Too, an organization dedicated to ensuring a diverse environment in small business advertising.
Dolls with Autism, Dwarfism and Hearing Loss from Lottie Dolls
Lottie Dolls introduced a doll inspired by an autistic boy who loves astronomy. The diverse toy comes with an astronaut-in-training jumpsuit, companion dog, noise-reducing headphones, and sunglasses to reduce visual sensory overload.
Lottie Dolls offers dolls that highlight diversity, including the Mia doll, a wildlife photographer with a cochlear implant, and the Sinead doll, the world's first doll with dwarfism.
Crystal Kaye is the artist behind Kay Customz. Not only are Crystal’s custom dolls cute, but they’re also inclusive. She goes beyond creating dolls in a few different skin tones, and makes dolls with freckles (and not just the traditional two or three that are meant to look cute but don’t really represent what a normal person looks like freckles), vitiligo and albinism.
Build-a-Bear & Vermont Teddy Bear Company Amputee Bears
For kids with limb differences, Build-a-Bear and the Vermont Teddy Bear Company are there to create a bear with the same limb difference. Both offer customization that allows this treasured bear to match its owner.
Differently-Abled Dolls from Barbie's Fashionistas Line
The Barbie Fashionistas line, which already includes Barbie dolls with various body types and hairstyles, also offers two differently-abled dolls. The first doll is in a wheelchair and the second is fitted with a prosthetic leg. “As a brand, we can elevate the conversation around physical disabilities by including them into our fashion doll line to further showcase a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion,” Mattel said.
To encourage their daughter's interest in African culture, two parents created this doll company with different shades of skin complexions and hair textures available. They even have a buy-one-gift-one program!
Inspired by the letter from a six-year-old girl, the iconic green army men sold by BMC Toys now have an addition—women soldiers. They are available in four different military poses
The idea was inspired by Matthew Shifrin who was born blind and loved to play with LEGO bricks. As a child, he had a friend, Lilya who would painstakingly write down all of the LEGO building steps so that he could upload the written directions into a system that translated them in a Braille reader. For the first time in his life, he was able to build LEGO sets entirely on his own.
When Lilya passed away, Shifrin decided he wanted to share his experience with others like him. A friend from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology introduced him to the Creative Play Lab at LEGO Group and his wonderful idea was developed into the LEGO Audio and Braille instruction. LEGO also has LEGO Braille bricks!
With dozens and dozens of looks to choose from in the Truly Me collection, your child can bring home an American Girl doll who brings out exactly who they are. From singing to soccer to so much more, every child can find outfits and accessories to match their interests.
Kids can even have their dolls fitted with a prosthetic leg by the company A Step Ahead Prosthetics.
Lakeshore Learning's People with Differing Abilities
We all want our kids to be open-minded, but in order to understand other people's differences, it's important that kids see those differences first-hand—and talk about them. Lakeshore Learning's People with Differing Abilities include people with realistic details and adaptive equipment—from a girl in a wheelchair to a boy with leg braces. For younger kiddos, Lakeshore also has a "Soft and Safe" version of these diverse toys that feature children with various disabilities.
If you've got a superhero-loving kid who wants a doll—but not that kind of doll—Wonder Crew dolls are the perfect addition. The collection of boy dolls was designed to have the "adventure of an action figure with the emotional connection of the favorite stuffed animal." They're soft and perfect for cuddles, but they're also superheroes. What's even cooler? Each doll comes with two masks and capes: One for the doll and one for the kid who plays with it. Genius.
By taking care of Jerry's diabetes, children gain hands-on practice with counting carbs, monitoring Jerry's blood sugar and dosing Jerry with insulin. Kids care for Jerry using the virtual diabetes tools and the digital pantry in the product's app.
Follow along with Jerry's journey to train for the All-Stars Games! All 21 interactive storybooks are paired with care tasks to reinforce important diabetes lessons. The curriculum is co-designed with doctors, educators and families to create educational content that kids love.
Do you know what's not empowering? Dolls with body proportions that are impossible to have in real life. That's why the makers of Lammily Dolls decided to make a collection of dolls using proportions akin to the average 19-year-old American woman. That means everything from the hands, arms, and neck to the waist, legs, and feet are realistic. The makers hope that playing with "normal" dolls will help young girls see their own bodies more positively (because sadly, studies show girls start worrying about their looks by age five).
Diversity is the name of the game when it comes to this line of dolls. Maru and Friends dolls are making a statement, and it’s one that’s long overdue. These dolls are more than just pretty playthings. Maru and Friends tell the tale of life as an immigrant. And your child can learn Maru’s story, as well as what it’s like for her friends to grow up in America.
This line of dolls and accessories was created by Cynthia Watkins and Kathryn Burnett, a mother-daughter duo, in 2017. Different skin tones, sizes, and hair types are available and each doll is handmade with painstaking detail given to outfits with the ability to match a specific outfit if desired.
This award-winning game matches faces to countries. Twenty-four pairs of illustrated cards depict the happy faces of children from all over the world and make for a fun and educational memory game. At times challenging, the game helps sharpen recognition and memory skills. The back of the game box shows which country each child is from.
Great for multicultural arts and crafts activities. This set includes 10 sheets of each of these five colors: Manila, Salmon, Light Brown, Brown and Dark Brown.
It’s that time of year in North Texas when, unless there’s a body of water nearby, it can be too hot to play outdoors for hours on end. Take a break from the heat and head to an indoor playground for kids. We found all the spots that offer pretend play, climbing, crafts, and STEM activities, perfect for a summer day. Find your new favorite indoor playground in Dallas (and beyond) below!
With a slew of DFW locations to choose from, there’s one of these fun indoor playgrounds somewhere near you. Play Street Museum is an interactive children’s museum purposefully designed to encourage a young child’s sense of independence, exploration, and creativity. By narrowing the focus of our museums to the interests and imaginations of children eight and under, young explorers will discover educational exhibits and activities in a world specifically crafted just for them. Because of our deliberate and manageable scale, children can self-navigate throughout the museum to engage deeply in activities that they are most interested in and passionate about.
Dallas, McKinney, Plano, Fort Worth, Allen, and Murphy (Mansfield opening soon!)
Located inside the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, this museum targets the Museum’s youngest guests—ages birth to eight—and those who care for them. There is a healthy kids clinic, an infant/toddler developmental space, a parent resource room that also serves as a multi-purpose space, a family restroom, a nursing room for mothers, and a natural science space.
1600 Gendy Street
Fort Worth, TX Online: fwmuseum.org
Gabby Cullen
LEGO Discovery Center
Kids of all ages love the LEGO center! There are amusement rides, a LEGO mini-version of Dallas-Fort Worth complete with the Dallas mansion, plenty of places to build their creations, and the super-cool LEGO Ninjago City adventure, where kids can navigate obstacle course challenges, master the art of Spinjitzu and learn how to harness the power of water on spin decks.
Not just a trampoline park, this indoor mecca has Ninja Warrior courses, zip lines, ropes courses, tube playgrounds, climbing walls, and (in some locations) laser tag, mini-golf, arcades, and more. There’s also an area just for kids ages seven and under, and if you buy the monthly membership, you’ll save serious cash, as it pays for itself in just four visits!
This spot is as adorable as it is fun for the little ones. It is a safari-themed spot where imaginations run wild. There are loads of opportunities for pretend play, STEM toys, and developing fine motor skills, all while having fun! Look for special music events and parent’s night out drop-offs.
3245 Main St., Ste 239 Frisco, TX Online: eqkidsclub.com
Moody Family Children’s Museum at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Dive into a world on your scale! Roam, play, and discover together on an adventure filled with an indoor nature hike, exploring a pint-sized farmer’s market, splashing at the water play table, and crawling up, over, and through just about everything in sight. The Children’s Museum is for children ages five and under with their adult companions. Kids will especially love climbing up, down, and around the kid-sized version of the Dallas skyline.
A huge indoor city just for kids? Yes, please. You’ll be able to spend an entire day at this indoor play space that lets the kids be the boss—literally. They can investigate a crime scene, shop for groceries, save lives in an emergency room, and anything else you can imagine that goes on in a city. They can even report the daily news!
This lovely Montessori-inspired has both an indoor space and an outdoor space. Kids will enjoy the simple toys and engaging projects, and parents will love the wifi and coffee bar.
This spot features an indoor playground, a make-your-own crayon station, and a place to create computer drawings that you can color. With 25 hands-on activities, you can spend the whole day here and not get bored. Kids can climb in the Color Playground and take a snack break at the cafe inside.
The Shops at Willow Bend
6121 W Park Blvd, Suite A100
Plano, TX Online: crayolaexperience.com
EKids
This is a newer space located in Rockwall County. Kids can play in the mini town, solve mysteries, play on the indoor slide, make arts and crafts, and more. There’s even a special time just for toddlers.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and New Yorkers are fortunate to live in a place that is home to so many thriving AAPI communities. So we’re taking a minute to spotlight some of our favorite Asian American and Pacific Islander businesses. These local entrepreneurs make being a parent in the city easier, more fun and more delicious (among many other things.) And of course, many owners are parents themselves. Want to support other NYC parents who run small businesses? We love these women-owned businesses in NYC, and these NYC Black-owned businesses and these parents are kind of our heroes.
At Nguyen Coffee Supply, it’s all about the experience of brewing a cup of coffee. This, the first specialty Vietnamese coffee company in the U.S., opened its doors in Fall 2018 and prides itself on importing and roasting single-origin Vietnamese coffee beans. Apparently, compared to Arabica beans, its Vietnamese Robusta has twice as much caffeine (without the jitters), 60 percent less sugar and up to 80 percent more anti-oxidants. Co-owner Sahra Nguyen encourages people to support the small businesses in the city. “Especially immigrant-owned mom-and-pop shops that may not be so social media savvy. We need diversity in businesses, experiences and culture so that our city remains the dynamic place we love.”
For the past decade, the Lo family (Jan, Derek and their mom Helen) has been designing stylish travel bags from their Dumbo studio. (During the pandemic, they pivoted to helping healthcare workers by donating almost 4,000 bags to those on the frontlines.) The company's timeless, thoughtfully designed bags are created with eco-friendly materials and plenty of organizational features and pockets to keep your trip as streamlined and seamless as possible.
Love cute, fashionable and distinct kids' clothes but not so into the cost (or trying to find them in the right size?) Check out Dopple, the creation of co-founder and CEO Chao Wang. This subscription service for stylish and affordable clothing for children, which offers pieces from brands such as Stella McCartney, Chloé, Bonpoint and Dôen, makes it easy to up your kid's look without going broke. You can also order a single "Dopple Drop", a cute starter outfit set for newborns (in various styles) as a gift for new parents. The latest rollout from the company is ReDopple, a peer-to-peer marketplace where users can buy or sell any of the 380 plus brands in Dopple’s inventory.
Yu & Me Books
Lucy Yu
Lucy Yu is not even 30 yet, but she's opened NYC's first female-owned Asian American bookstore in Chinatown. The shop, which is also a cafe and bar debuted in late 2021. It highlights works by Asian authors and books that feature the stories of immigrants. Closed Mondays.
At Korean K9 Rescue in Astoria, the mission is all about building awareness and compassion for dogs, especially those that are rescued from dog meat farms, high-kill shelters and puppy mills both here and abroad. Gina Bohler, executive director and founder started the organization in 2017. These days, New Yorkers in all five boroughs—and around the Tristate area—are happy adopters.
“We are so thankful to the NYC community for embracing our rescue organization and giving these homeless and mistreated dogs a second chance here,” she says. “We also have a Patreon page where you can get a sneak peek inside our facility in Bundang, South Korea, while supporting our rescue efforts monthly for just a few dollars.”
When Lin Chen, a second-generation Asian American, launched Pink Moon, an online beauty site in mid-2020, her focus was on curating exclusively female-founded, sustainable self-care, well-being and lifestyle brands. “Practicing self-care/love has positively changed my life and this is why I want to offer other women the opportunity to experience this, too,” she says. These days Chen runs her business from her office in Midtown East, with hopes of opening a flagship well-care and community site for women through every phase of life some day.
Rooted may have started out of Ryan Lee and Kay Kim’s apartment in Williamsburg in 2018, but it’s soaring now with a greenhouse in Florida, a Brooklyn team and a commitment to doing everything through a lens of sustainability. "We’re adamant about doing things as green as possible, even if it’s much harder, for the sake of our environment,” Kim says. The online nursery offers plant subscriptions, as well as one-off orders.
Jimmy Ly, co-owner of Madame Vo, a contemporary Vietnamese restaurant in the East Village that opened in 2017, began dreaming up his vision when he met ‘Madame’ Yen Vo and the two connected over their mutual love of Vietnamese food. A Queens native, Ly had grown up as his family’s designated sous chef for family gatherings, and later worked in his parent’s banh mi shop. Vo grew spent her youth eating traditional Vietnamese food in her native Houston. When Ly introduced Yen to his family’s cooking, the inspiration for Madame Vo was born—and, since then, the couple became the proud parents of two boys.
“Vietnamese food is more than just the national cuisine of Vietnam—it is a way of life and an integral part of the culture,” Ly says. “At Madame Vo, we strive to honor the tradition of Vietnamese food by providing New Yorkers with the familiar and nostalgic flavors of southern Vietnamese cooking. Whether you're ordering a savory Com Suon Nuong or a delicious bowl of The Madame Pho, you can rest assured that your meal has been made with the utmost care and best ingredients, following recipes that have been passed down through generations of the Ly and Vo families."
In 2019, Ryan Kim opened Kim’C Market, an e-commerce business based in the Brooklyn Navy Yard with the express goal of helping people stay healthy by providing healthy Korean foods and ingredients. “I was inspired to start Kim’C Market after my uncle passed away from cancer in 2018,” Kim says. “Having grown up without a father, I felt the need to be able to guide my late uncle’s children and ensure that the whole family would be able to have access to clean, healthy foods.”
“Whether you’ve been cooking with Korean ingredients your whole life or would like to dip your toes into the world of Korean cooking, our mission is to connect people with tasty, wholesome Korean and Asian ingredients and ship or deliver them fast to you. Food has an innate transformative power, from the nutrients inside it to the people who make it and the cultures which influence it, and it is our goal to make these clean ingredients accessible to all kitchens. To see how our products can be used not only in Korean cooking but your own cuisines, check out our cooking videos on YouTube.com.”
This family-owned and operated kids’ clothing line is known for its modern and thoughtfully crafted designs. Inspired by their own kids, the owners have over 18 years of experience in the fashion industry; they’re passionate about creating lasting, neutral unisex pieces that can be handed down again and again.
Founder Alex Zagami Ng comes from a long line of business owners. When she opened her shop in Little Italy, it quickly became a favorite for NYC locals and visitors alike. Ng curated a wonderful selection of toys, clothing and books, and also designed her own line. Find Piccoliny gear online (including a special collab with legendary dim sum spot Nom Wah Tea House, pictured above) or if you live in NYC, from these select retailers as well as Saks Fith Avenue in midtown Manhattan.
Little Moony is a designer daughter and master tailor mother team. The idea to launch a children’s clothing line was born out of an afternoon watching their niece/granddaughter play in a cute but comfortable dress (which mom had made!). From there, Little Moony has become known for comfortable, well-designed clothes that range from bright and colorful to calm and cool. There’s a brick-and-mortar store in the SOHO neighborhood of NYC, but you can purchase everything from onesies to dress and jogger pants from the website too.
Founder and CEO Eram Siddiqui launched Hudson and Bleecker when she couldn’t find stylish travel accessories. What started as a single shoe bag has expanded into a line of multi-functional, well-crafted travel accessories. Take a peek at the website, and you’ll find garment bags, cosmetic bags, packing cubes and more.
NYC living spaces tend to be small. Add kids—and all of their stuff—and what do you have? No more room! If it’s time for some spring cleaning and you’re looking for somewhere to donate or sell unwanted items in NYC, you have plenty of options. From consignment shops that will give you cash for nearly-new kid’s clothes to civic programs that facilitate donating to non-profits, here’s our list of resources for helping you make a clean sweep! Plus, lots of ways to get stuff forfree in NYC.
The Big Picture On Donating Things in NYC
Good news: there are many, many organizations that will take your stuff! We have several big players below, but know that city agency donateNYC has a vast database of places that will accept donations, many of which will pick up. Head to the donateNYC website where you can search by donation category and zip code to find places near you.
If you live in a building with 10 or more units, consider setting up a permanent donation bin on-site, through the city program refashionNYC, a free and convenient clothing donation and recycling service. The program’s partnership with Housing Works offers convenient collection while fighting the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS. It’s also available for businesses, office buildings, and schools.
Established on the west coast and now operating numerous stores nationwide, Out of the Closet is a queer-friendly non-profit organization. At the NYC store in Boerum Hill, you'll find your usual fare of clothing and shoes, but also an amazing collection of furniture, books and vinyl records. Out of the Closet isn't just an excellent thrift store: It also has a pharmacy and offers sexual wellness assistance and HIV testing for free. For every dollar that you spend at the thrift store, 96 cents goes directly to patient and homeless care.
Small donations can be dropped off at the store. You can also schedule a large donation pick-up by calling 1-800-558-8220. To contact the store email info@outofthecloset.org.
The Salvation Army is one of the better-known charities and thrift store organizations in the country. It funds six free child care spaces in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens, and provides services to youth, adults, emergencies, and more. Items that you donate will directly help fund the Adult Rehabilitation Centers, where people can get help with drug and alcohol addictions.
There are more than a dozen stores in NYC, and you can find one in every borough. Schedule a free donation pickup using their online form, which lets you specify what's being picked up and how much of it there is. Of course, you can also go to any location to drop off your donations. Accepted items include most clothing, appliances, and household goods. A visit to the Salvation Army thrift store is a great way to pick up some gently used clothes for a discount (every day has a discount on a different color tag) or some more unusual items like vintage dolls and lamps or an air fryer (an outlet is generally available to plug in appliances to make sure they work).
The Salvation Army also accepts donations of vehicles, from cars and motorcycles to boats and RVs.
Goodwill is another well-known name for charity donations and thrifting. Items that are accepted include clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry, handbags, and household goods. Your donations support community members who need assistance getting back on their feet and finding jobs. Want to see the difference your spring cleaning can make on the world? You can even calculate the impact you'll make when you donate.
Although Goodwill does do pickups, the donation has to be substantial: A minimum of 50 bags or boxes is required. Despite this, the charity makes it as easy as possible to make donations. Goods can be brought to Goodwill locations or placed in Goodwill donation bins. The website suggests using TaskRabbit to bring in donations if you're unable to do so yourself (use promo code GWNYNJ-10 to get $10 off your first TaskRabbit order). A portion of the fee you pay will be donated to local nonprofits.
If you're looking to do some thrifting, Goodwill is an excellent place for picking up brand-name clothing for a more reasonable price. For the serious thrifter, here's a tip: Visit NYC's Goodwill Outlet at 47-47 Van Dam St. in Long Island City, Queens to buy goods by the pound. (It's true. But we recommend bringing gloves.)
GrowNYC will show up again on this list for their swap events, but you can also donate your clothing to the organization at any of its eight locations in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. Only textile goods are accepted at these donation spots, including clothing, shoes, linens, handbags, belts, and other fabric and textile items. (Fabric rolls or scraps, rugs, pillows, comforters, and luggage are not accepted.)
Donations are sorted by condition, then either redistributed to secondhand markets or recycled as rags or low-grade fiber products like insulation — making this an excellent option for those items of clothing that don't qualify as "gently" used.
Have an item that you don't need but someone else might? BigReuse, a non-profit dedicated to reducing waste, will take it! While you're welcome to donate small items like books, clothing, and small home goods at the Brooklyn location, free pickup can be scheduled for larger items. BigReuse accepts donations of appliances, home goods and decor, furniture, plumbing, media, lighting, kitchen fixtures, tiles, paint, lumber, tools, renovation supplies, and more. Note that you'll need to send a picture of the item(s) you're donating when you schedule a pickup.
BigReuse also has a compost project, providing over a dozen places around the city where you can bring your scraps to add to the compost heap.
1 12th St. 718-725-8925 Gowanus Online: bigreuse.org
St. Mary’s Clothing Drive
St. Mary’s Clothing Drive, run by St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, can’t make it any easier to donate clothes and other items. (Although you must be in the service area, which is mostly Brooklyn.) Just head to the website, schedule a pickup, label your bags and wait for them to whisk your donation away. (They even leave you a receipt.)
Exercise and donate to a good cause at this NJ event, held at the Hudson County Park Track in Bayonne. Held every month or so, this event starts with a HIIT session, then winds down with relaxing yoga. The workout is stress-free and features plenty of modifications for different levels of fitness. Where does the donation come in? Bring your gently used clothes to support the charity of the month! April's event is held in collaboration with Wear Love More, a startup clothing brand that focuses on creating sustainable clothing. All clothing will be donated to the Salvation Army of NJ.
While there used to be a lot more, there are still some places to sell kids (and maternity) clothes on consignment in NYC—not to mention get some good deals on clothes and other essentials. Every store has its own policies, pricing, desired items, etc., but some of our favorites include:
Although it's not local, ThredUp provides you with an easy way to offload your old clothes without leaving the house — and get paid for it! This online thrift store provides secondhand high-quality, brand-name items for thrift store prices. When you request a donation kit, you'll receive a prepaid, addressed bag. Just fill it up and send it back, and ThredUp will do the rest. When an item you donate sells, you get a cut. Easy!
Parents know how easy it is to accumulate random art supplies. Materials for the Arts (MFTA) is a great place to offload the art clutter from the various artistic phases of your kids—or you. MFTA accepts all art supplies and goods, but is especially keen on paper, fabric, arts & crafts supplies, buttons and beads. The organization will also accept small appliances, hardware, and household items — from electronics to pianos. They'll then pair your items with the perfect recipients from the city's artistic and educational communities.
You can mail your donations to MFTA's Long Island City location (they ask they you include a copy of their donation drop-off form from their website). To request help with large donations or schedule a drop-off donation, email donations@mfta.nyc.gov.
Lots of places listed here will take your books, but if you’re nearby, also consider the Brooklyn Book Bodega. They’ll take your new and gently used children’s book at a partner donation location in Brooklyn. They accept gently used and new books for ages 0-18 including foreign language, dual language and nonfiction books. (Please: no religious books, textbooks, activity books, encyclopedias, broken books, or books with missing pages.)
Did you know that throwing out your batteries and cell phones improperly can lead to fires? Call2Recycle provides convenient locations to safely dispose of your old batteries and phones. Drop-off locations are located in participating stores around the city, like The Home Depot, Lowe's, Key Food, and many more. You can also ship your batteries and rest assured that they'll be safely disposed of or recycled.
For all electronic waste except batteries, the LES Ecology Center will help you out. Items accepted here include computers and computer parts, monitors, handheld devices like phones and tablets, network devices like modems, peripherals like keyboards and mice, printers, scanners, fax machines, TVs and associated appliances, videogame consoles — and the list goes on. If you have a non-working electronic device, this organization will probably take it off your hands. See a list of upcoming waste collection pop-ups here and the calendar for all events here. (Now you finally know what to do with that child-proof tablet that somehow still got busted…)
Where to Donate Building Materials, Appliances, Furniture & More
Habitat for Humanity’ ReStore will take your gently-used furniture, appliances, cabinetry, building materials and other household items. (You can see a full list of what is accepted here.) To donate, submit photos of the donation item/items to restore@habitatnycwc.org. Someone will return your email in 48 hours, and will let you know if the ReStore can accept your items. You can then drop off your items at the ReStore during open hours (they have locations in Woodside, Queens, and Westchester) or you can request a pickup via the email above.
How to Reduce Waste: Swap or Get Free Stuff (or Donate)
Facebook Groups
You know that bread maker you bought during quarantine that you used twice and has since been gathering dust in your kitchen? There's someone out there who'd love to have it. That's where freecycle and swap Facebook groups come in.
These are private groups, so you may need to wait to be accepted into the group. Once you're in, these groups are generally very active, friendly communities where you'll find a huge variety of items being given away, from tables, dressers, and chairs, to plants, baby clothes, and books for kids. Members will often give a heads up if the house has a cat or a dog for anyone with allergies or phobias. You can post to give things away and or post a request for an item you've been on the lookout for.
These community swaps are held fairly frequently in many different locations — so a swap is likely to come to your area before long. (Of course, they took a break due to the pandemic, but the events are coming back. Face masks are required as of this writing.) It works like this: You bring items you want to donate, then take home any items you want. That's it! You don't have to bring something to take something either, so feel free to just show up if you're all out of goods to donate.
Most small items are accepted, like clothing, housewares, games, books, and toys. Basically, if you can safely carry it out, you can bring it. Items like furniture, old TVs, unsealed or expired food or personal care products, electronics, or sharp objects aren't allowed.
Pro tip: The clothes get taken really quickly, especially children's clothes, but there are often cool toys. Our finds have included a mechanical dinosaur and a brand new large bulldog plushie—immediately washed when home. Books and housewares like plates are frequent good finds here, too. Plan to stick around for a while — items are constantly replenished as more goods are donated.
This event isn't completely free, but you're supporting a good cause: The coalition supports businesses that produce goods with the planet's wellbeing in mind. The end goal is to make consumers more conscious of their shopping habits and the amount of waste created in the clothing industry every year.
Donating items is free, of course, but checking out will cost you $15 flat (though you can save some money by pre-purchasing your checkout ticket on Eventbrite). You can check out with up to 10 items, but check in with as much as you want: The coalition only accepts clothes, and will now even take your "unswappable" items and recycle them.
This website allows users to post items they're looking to give away or to find. While there's a general "NYC" tag, there are also sections for more specific locations, including Roosevelt Island , Brooklyn and Manhattan. The site is quite active and features some pretty random stuff. Items we saw listed recently include a bagful of yarn, crutches, a sewing machine and even an old piano.
Trash Nothing is another online community where you can post about items you're getting rid of or ones you'd like to acquire. This site is fairly active, and you'll find a variety of items listed, including really nice furniture, vases, packing supplies, books and tons more.
Are you tired of seeing the same plants and want to swap them out for some new ones? Or have you officially bought too many plants and can no longer see your floor? No problem: There are some options for you! Among the things you can swap in NYC, perhaps surprisingly, plants do make the list.
Support the NYC-area Black community by spending at local Black-owned businesses—this month and every month. Need some suggestions? Check out our favorites serving NYC kids and families, with food, drink, fashion, decor, dessert and so much more. (Then head here to see Black-owned businesses for families nationwide!)
Fun & Gear for Kids
Lavender Blues
Lavender Blues
Alex Branson, AKA Lady B. AKA Miss Alex is the musical force behind Lavender Blues. She conducts fun grownup & me classes featuring original music throughout Brooklyn, from Brooklyn Heights to Bay Ridge, Bed-Stuy, Kensington, Crown Heights and beyond. She’s doing virtual classes during COVID-19, which you can check out here. Her studio in Bedford Stuyvesant, which opened in February 2020, is also home to a thrift store with daily giveaways, book swaps and upcycled clothing featuring hand-embroidered Lavender Blues logos.
Founded by one of our NYC Power Moms, Kim Magloire, SciTech Kids does classes, camps, after-school, birthday parties and more. (And yes, they're offering virtual camp this summer.) The Upper East Side business gets kids ages three to 15 involved in science of all kinds with hands-on, interactive experiments and activities. A sampling of subjects explored include coding, engineering, architecture and physics.
215 E. 81st St. Upper East Side 212-804-7055 Online: scitechkids.com
Include a visit from a special guest for your child's next birthday party. Take your pick from a roster of characters inspired by big Disney names, or opt for "Unicorn Princess", "Warrior Princess" (very badass looking), Barbie, a life-size LOL, JoJo Siwa and others. A Princess like me is doing personalized video messages during COVID-19—10 minutes for just $25!
Founded in 2003 by Kisha Edwards-Gandsy and Keyanna Murrill, the World Explorers Group provides numerous ways to educate and entertain your kids. Services and programs include preschool, summer camp (offered in-person and virtually this year), drop-off childcare, after school programming and birthday parties. Find them at their HQ in Fort Greene, two Downtown Brooklyn annexes and a location in Crown Heights.
36 Felix St. 855-687-6923 Fort Greene Online: explorerkids.us
Cozy n Cute Kids Boutique
Cozy n Cute Kids Boutique
The kids clothes at the Cozy N Cute Kids Boutique are cute, comfortable and always on trend. You'll find cool sayings, sweet ruffles and fun prints you and your child will love. This online kids clothing store was founded by Priscilla Wesson, a Black mom with two daughters from Long Island, NY. She launched her online shop in June 2020 and focuses on practical everyday styles for young kids, with affordable prices, great deals and top-notch customer service.
Known as "The Dogfather of Harlem" Brian Taylor owns and operates Harlem Doggie Day Spa, a one-stop shop for all your grooming, doggie daycare, walking and boarding needs. When the pandemic forced Taylor to temporarily shutter his shop, he took his skills on the road with a mobile spa that came to his customers. He then embarked (ha) on a cross-country "Pandemic Pup Relief Tour,” to offer pet grooming services to people affected by Covid-19, powered by an army of volunteers from the Black Groomers Association.
BCakeNY counts A-list celebs among its clientele (see: CardiB, Rihanna and Vera Wang), but they'll make one for you, too! Founder and Creative Director Miriam Milord and CEO Dara Roach are the duo behind this Prospect Heights, Brooklyn bakery that creates confections big and small. Check out the shop's special Black History Month treats (cupcakes, cake jars, cakes and mini cakes) spotlighting Black History luminaries. Gift boxes come with a complimentary booklet written by historian Janus Adams, profiling the lives and legacies of the 12 extraordinary figures featured. P.S. They ship natonwide!
702 Washington Ave. Prospect Heights 347-787-7199 Online: bcakeny.com
Another ice cream spot, this one uptown, Sugar Hill Creamery is another one of our favorite places for a cone or dish. Owned by local parents Nick Larsen and Petrushka Bazin Larsen, the store serves up small-batch ice cream made with fresh and locally-sourced ingredients in both classic flavors the kids love (vanilla is "Andy Griffith"—get it?), and more adventurous ones for adults, like Pon de Replay, the Rhianna-inspired vegan ice cream made with coconut, tamarind and passionfruit. Sugar Hill also hosts a mom's meetup group, which you can sign up for here.
We’ve long been a fan of Lower East Side native Mikey Cole’s pop culture-inspired artisanal, organic ice cream and his fun storefront decked out with images of pop icons. Flavors at the downtown store include “Pink Floyd”, “The Brady Bunch”, “Ice Ice Mikey” and “Foxy Brown.” (The Foxy Brown Milkshake was cited as a way to make someone fall in love with NYC on a recent episode of Gossip Girl.) Cole started his business selling ice cream out of a pushcart, and now also offers vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free varieties. The shop is delivering to Manhattan and big fans can scoop up Mikey Likes It merch like hats, collaboration hoodies and more.
Started as a home-business more than two decades ago, Make My Cake has gained legions of fans with its confections. The heart of the business is the family recipes of Josephine “Ma” Smith, said to combine the baking traditions of Mississippi and Alabama with Harlem soul. Must-haves here include the red velvet cake, German chocolate cake, sweet potato cheesecake and strawberry cupcakes. Need a cake delivered? Call 212-932-0833.
2380 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. 212-234-2344 Harlem Online: makemycake.com
Don’t let the name fool you: this bakery (which also sells cakes, muffins and other sweet treats) consistently tops lists of where to get the best pie in the city. Founded by classically-trained Broadway actor Arnold Wilkerson in 1985, this shop has a pie no matter the season, from apple and pumpkin in the fall and winter, to key lime, peach and cherry in the spring and summer. (And lots, lots more.) You can share these delectable treats with anyone, thanks to next-day shipping. (And yes, you can also get little pies here, as pictured above.)
Brothers Muhammed and Rahim Diallo have been sharing West African food and drink with New Yorkers since 2015 with slogan, "Born in Africa, Made in New York." Their company takes its name from a ginger-based drink, popular in the duo's native Guinea, made with vanilla, anise and pineapple. They opened Ginjan Cafe in Harlem right before the pandemic hit, but they weathered the setback, and are even in the process of establishing a second location in Bedford Stuyvesant. (Look for that shop to open some time in March.) Stop in for the eponymous drink, cold-pressed juices, crepes, coffee, tea, and bites from local chefs in the big and welcoming space uptown. Learn even more about their story in this feature on Humans of New York.
Harlem Hops is Manhattan's first, 100 % African-American-owned NYC local craft beer bar. Founded by three HBCU grads, this welcoming spot serves a rotating, highly-curated menu of local, often rare, small-batch beers from the region and beyond, in addition to wine, spirits and "bites"—like its impressive giant pretzel. Like to enjoy your brew at home? Beer can be taken to go in a size as large as a 32 ounce "crowler."
2268 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd. Harlem 646-998-3444 Online: harlemhops.com
It's a family affair at Harlem's Seasoned Vegan. Mother and son Brenda and Aaron Beener promise to serve up your favorite food, "veganized." Gourmet vegan soul food dishes include mac and cheese, fried "crawfish" po boy, "chicken" nuggets, stuffed avocados and even rich desserts like red velvet cupcakes. But the duo draws from many culinary traditions as well, creating vegan Italian, Asian, Middle Eastern, Caribbean and American dishes with a home-cooked, soulful twist.
The Central Brooklyn Food Coop is a Black-led 100% working member-owned and –operated food store with membership open to all. The organization's mission is to utilize its collective strength to ensure access to affordable and fresh food while centering the Black, low-to-moderate-income communities of Central Brooklyn. The co-op works to make it easy and affordable to buy good food, while strengthening ties between neighbors in the communities of Bedford-Stuyvesant, North Crown Heights and the surrounding low- and moderate-income neighborhoods of color.
This cozy Bed-stuy shop and cafe owned by tea experts Alfonso Wright and Jamila McGill offers tea on the go (in a cup or a bag for your at-home stash) or in store, where you’re encouraged to slow down and enjoy the sensory experience that is tea. They got it all here: green, herbal, black, oolong, matcha, etc. While the kids may not be up for an Earl Grey, they will probably enjoy a vegan waffle with fruit or chocolate toppings, or a Biggie Smalls cookie. Need a gift for a tea lover? Brooklyn Tea is stocked with gear and gadgets every tea geek will love.
Cafe Con Libros is an intersectional Feminist community bookstore and coffee shop, serving up coffee, tea, books and community. (And pastries from Bien Cuit, FYI.) In addition to a cozy storefront in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, the shop curates monthly book subscriptions in categories including Womxn of Color, Feminist, Romance, Young Adults for ages 12-18yrs, Budding Feminist Children's Books for ages 5-9yrs, Baby Feminist Board Books for ages 0-5yrs. Looking for a baby shower gift? Try the Baby Feminist Social Justice Primer!
Owner Noëlle Santos famously opened this Mott Haven bookstore/coffee shop/wine bar after the Bronx’s last remaining bookstore, a Barnes & Noble, closed. The Lit Bar now holds that honor (as well as a lot more indie appeal and character). Find shelves of books for kids of all kinds, a curated collection of reads for adults, as well as gift items and programming. Need some timely recs? Try the “Dear White People” reading list or the 2020 Survival Kit list. And yes, you can also enjoy your libation of choice here.
131 Alexander Ave. Mott Haven 347-955-3610 Online: www.thelitbar.com
Sister's Uptown Bookstore is presently the oldest black and family-owned bookstore and community cultural center in Washington Heights/Harlem. The store is dedicated to nourishing the minds, hearts and souls of the community with present and past works of gifted African-American, Latinx, and other great authors and intellectuals.
1942 Amsterdam Ave. Washington Heights 212-862-3680 Online: experienceonekin.co
Shopping & Self-Care
Flatbush Central
Urbane
This Caribbean marketplace (formerly known as Flatbush Caton Market), has been part of the fabric of Brooklyn's Flatbush for more than 20 years. Renamed and revitalized, the community hub is home to numerous Black vendors selling a variety of goods, including Haitian decor, spices, tea leaves; flagwear and accessories from all Caribbean nations and others worldwide; luxurious, natural handcrafted soaps and body care products, and handmade children’s clothing, accessories, toys and books.
In addition to shopping, Flatbush Central also includes a Caribbean-themed food hall, a shared commercial kitchen, bar, and lounge, and new programming to increase community bonds and celebrate the cultures of Flatbush and Central Brooklyn. (Look for a big re-opening celebration in spring 2022.)
Bed-Stuy's Make Manifest BK is a community space, creative hub and shop featuring local and independent brands with a focus on sustainability. Workshops for kids and adults include sewing, crocheting and knitting and crafting, and you can also drop by for evening events like "Sip & Sews", slow jam karaoke and spiritual wellness gatherings.
Felicia Eve owns this charming Park Slope yarn store and event space, which is stocked with drool-worthy raw materials for knitting, crocheting and weaving. The studio has hosted after school classes and open knitting nights, and offers private lessons as well. Need an al fresco spot for your small gathering? There’s a lovely garden area in back you can rent out for your event.
Founded by Staten Island resident Raquel Roxanne Nowak, Matresence takes its name from the word meaning "the process of becoming a women." The skincare line is designed for the many stages of motherhood, from trying to conceive and pregnancy to nursing and being a busy parent. The company offers products for regular self-care, assorted issues (stretch marks, hormonal acne, etc.) as well as pre-bundled gift sets to keep moms of all kinds restored and glowing!
Wondering where you donate your kids clothes and toys in Portland? These non-profits are happy to pass along items to local families in need
Spring is almost here, which means it’s the perfect time to do some heavy spring cleaning. Before you throw out all of your kids’ old toys and clothes, remember that what’s old to you and your family could be new and exciting for local families in need. After you’ve sifted through your family’s lightly worn items, head to one of these Portland non-profit spots with your mostly new and lightly used clothes, toys and household goods at these places where families can donate kids clothes and toys in Portland.
Mother and Child Education Center Providing resources for families in need, this nonprofit accepts a wide range of gently used items for babies. It’s almost more useful to list some of the things they don’t accept, such as toys, stuffed animals, high chairs, and adult clothing. They’ve got a fabulously detailed donations page to help you sort and package your goods in a way that streamlines volunteer and staff time, so that items reach recipients more efficiently. In the event that they can’t take an item you’re looking to donate, they’re even happy to offer suggestions for alternate places. Just call. No more excuses for dumping a bunch of random stuff at Goodwill.
Good to Know: Donations done by appointment only. They ask that you call to find out if they can accept your donations in advance.
Catholic Charities’ In Kind Catholic Charities accepts new or gently-used baby clothes, maternity clothes, household appliances, and furniture. You can also donate your new or like-new bedding and towels. Please note, they only accept new hygiene items, baby toys, cribs, pack-n-plays, and car seats. Catholic Charities of Oregon can also pick up large donations of furniture or household items on a case-by-case basis. They ask that you call to make an appointment to drop off your items and make sure to check out their current list of needs. Make an appointment to drop off your in-kind donations during regular business hours by emailing donations@ccoregon.org.
Catholic Charities Traveling Crib Pregnancy & Parenting Support Program Clark Family Center 2740 S.E. Powell Blvd. Portland Online:catholiccharitiesoregon.org
With Love, Providing clothes and other necessities to children in foster care, this nonprofit seeks your donations in new or like-new condition. Donate baby swings, strollers, high chairs, bouncy seats, baby carriers, and Pack-n-Plays that are clean, have no broken parts and have not been recalled. Check their website for a complete list of guidelines and items not accepted. Two locations in Tigard and Lake Oswego serve as drop-off spots. Check the website for days and times.
Impact NW With a long history of serving families in the Portland Metro area and beyond, this nonprofit provides a wide range of free services. Many of the people they serve have only enough income for food, rent, and the bare essentials, and so Impact NW accepts donations of other much-needed supplies. While they always accept donations of new items, they accept gently used items in clean and good condition on an at-will basis only, due to limited storage space. Please call ahead to ask about available space for the item you’d like to donate. Donations can be dropped off at time arranged over an advanced phone call.
Central City Concern Central City Concern serves families impacted by homelessness, mental illness, poverty and addictions. They gladly accept donations of gently used children’s items, hygiene kits, diapers, baby wipes,car seats (new), strollers, bassinets . Check their website for a complete list of ways you can give.
Northwest Children’s Outreach This faith-based nonprofit operates several distribution centers in Oregon and SW Washington, working to provide caregivers with items families need. Volunteers sort clothing, pack orders, and pick up donations. They accept clothing for newborns to teens, hygiene products, breastfeeding supplies (including pumps), nursery items, children’s safety products, toys, and books. Check their website for a complete list and for hours of operation at each location.
Children’s Book Bank Have your kids outgrown a portion of their at-home library? Bring your gently used books to this non-profit focused on providing children’s literature to children with limited access to books at home. Volunteers rehabilitate and bundle the books for distribution through Head Start and public schools, so please check for missing pages, mold, or other damage beyond repair before donating. Current needs include board books, picture books, alphabet books, books about numbers, colors, animals, shapes and words, story books, rhyming books, Dr. Seuss books, multicultural books and books in Spanish. Donations taken by appointment only. Call to setup your time.
Insights Teen Parent Services Dedicated to serving teen parents and their children through a wide range of free support services, this nonprofit also runs a resource closet that parents can visit by appointment to find what they need. Among other items, they're currently accepting maternity clothes, clothing in sizes newborn-5T, toys for ages 0-5, board books, and winter coats. They also accept cribs made after December 2011, and used car seats that meet specific requirements, as listed on the website. Donations are limited to a specific list so check their website for an updated list.
Earth Day is Fri. Apr. 22 this year and if you’re looking for easy ways to show our planet some love, you’ve come to the right place. While topics like climate change may seem overwhelming, everyone can do their part by something as simple as recycling.
To make turning trash into treasure as easy as can be, lots of family-friendly companies have partnered with Terracycle, a social enterprise currently in 21 countries that is diverting tons of waste away from landfills. Keep scrolling to see how you can be a part of this movement with brands you already use, not to mention companies that have their own programs in the works.
Mon Coeur New Again Program
Clothing brand Mon Couer wants parents to send their used clothes back to be up or downcycled. The New Again Program offers 40% off your next purchase for sending in used clothing, which will reduce waste and over usage of fabrics and keep items out of landfills.
Once Upon a Farm
All those baby food, smoothies and applesauces pouches an be easily recycled with Terracycle. Clean them out, dry them off and ship off so they can be sorted and pelletized––ready for a new life.
Cerebelly
Food pouches are super convenient, especially for on the go, but they add up quickly. If you're at a loss for what to do with them, head to Terracycle to snag a printable label! Add it to a box of used pouches, ship and repeat.
Hasbro
Tired of storing old games and toys? Recycle them! Hasbro's recycling program takes your kiddos old My Little Pony, Play-Doh, GI Joe and more and transforms them into things like play spaces, park benches and flower pots so they can continue to bring joy.
Honest Drink Pouch
Kiddos love their juice! Rather than tossing in the trash, save up the aluminum and plastic pouches (you can even keep the straws!) for recycling. Make sure the pouches are empty before shipping. When they are received, they'll be melted into hard plastic so they can be reshaped into something new again.
Spin Master
CNW Group/Spin Master
The new Spin Master Recycling Program gives a second life to your toys. All you have to do is sign up on the TerraCycle program page and mail in your old toys. Your old toys will be cleaned and melted into hard plastic so they can have a new lease on life by being made into items like park benches and picnic tables.
Gerber
Gerber
There are tons of Gerber products you can recycle, like baby food packaging (but no glass!), shrink labels, plastic containers, plastic lids, flexible plastic pouches and small and large hook Gerber baby clothing hangers. Once you have a full box of products, just send in with a free label and your products will be recycled free of charge.
L.O.L. Surprise!
L.O.L. Surprise! dolls are super fun, but they come with a ton of wrapping! Now you don't have to wonder what to do with it all. Just pack it up and ship to Terracycle and they'll do the rest.
Colgate
Don't toss those old toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes into the trash! Check out the simple programs from Terracycle where you can drop off in person or mail in so those old products don't end up in a landfill.
Carter's
Carter's has recently partnered with Terracycle to bring you Kidcycle, a way to recycle old baby and kids clothes. Not only can you send them in or drop off for free, but all your packages can even earn you Rewarding Moments points, too!
Target Car Seat Trade In
Target
A few times a year Target's car seat trade-in keeps millions of pounds of plastic from landfills. All you have to do is drop off your old seat at a participating Target location, get a coupon and rest easy that you're saving the planet, one seat at a time.
Nordstrom BEAUTYCYCLE
iStock
We mamas have tons of products that could end up in the trash––or get recycled! Nordstrom's BEAUTYCYCLE program takes packaging from haircare, skincare, makeup and more so it doesn't head to a landfill. You can help them reach their goal of recycling 100 tons of packaging!
Stasher
Stasher bags already keeps tons of waste out of landfills, but even they don't last forever. When you send them in for recycling, they'll be. cleaned and ground into a crumb-like powder which is used for playground, athletic field or track ground cover.
Teva
Send your beloved Teva sandals on one last adventure through TevaForever. The recycling program turns them into melted hard plastic so they can go on to live in athletic and playground tracks.
VTech & LeapFrog
When your little has outgrown their fave learning or electronic toy, recycle it! The free program will melt down your old toys and transform them into materials used in new playground and park equipment.
There’s nothing like back-to-school shopping to get everyone excited about fall and getting back to class. This is what you’ll find at local NYC boutiques for back-to-school gear, clothes and more, for kids just starting school or those too cool for it. (i.e, your seven-year-old, etc.) Read on to send your kid to school in style!
Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store
STATE
An “everything but the kitchen sink” independent shop, Annie's Blue Ribbon General Store has many great backpacks at various price points (including State Bags, shown here, that have a compelling “Give Back” model). Plus, lunch boxes such as Yumboxes that make it really easy to pack lunch thanks to little compartments, as well as lots of Stainless Steel options too. To pack along with lunch, Blue Ribbon sells lunch box notes and to write thoughtful and fun messages for your kid. They also have several teaching games and tools, such as multiplication flashcards, sight word cards, games for learning about money, math, reading, and maps too!
This year, CAMP has so many fun and unique products that would make any kid excited to hit the books again. With four shops between Manhattan and Brooklyn, it’s your one-stop back-to-school shop for play, media and merchandise that’s enriching and, of course, fun. Popular items include Ooly Left-Right Ergonomic Crayons, colorful EPIC everyday backpacks, corkboards, unicorn erasers, and CAMP's own signature duffle bag.
Popular items for kids returning to school this year at Smoochie Baby include CarlijnQ Backpacks—an all-organic brand from the Netherlands—Old Soles Champsters high-tops, the Rowdy Sprout Frank Zappa tee, My Little Cozmo Dakota Sherpa Jacket and Fairwell sweats.
110 Berry St. Williamsburg 718-384-3340 Online: smoochiebaby.com
Your local independent bookstore is also often a great place for distinctive writing materials. Book Culture, which has four locations sells pencils, pens and groovy notebooks, as well as stylish ways to tote them around, like pencil cases, backpacks and more.
26-09 Jackson Ave. Long Island City 718-440-3120 Online: bookculture.com
536 W. 112th St. Morningside Heights 2915 Broadway Morningside Heights
Not many second-hand kids' clothes shops remain, but Jane's Exchange, the largest and oldest children's and maternity Store in NYC, recently opened its second storefront in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Fashion-wise, new this season are fall corduroy pants, overalls, and overall pinafores. High-quality basics from Mini Boden, Hanna Andersen, Primary, Milo, Rock Your Kid are all the rage in shades of softer greys, browns, muted colors and animal prints. Plus, sneakers from Jordans to Vans are attracting kids of all ages.
Another option for scoring some gently-used (or even new!) kids' clothes is the new online kid's consignment shop Consignment4kids.com. The virtual secondhand shop was Started by an NYC mom (and Tinybeans contributor!) who wanted to give hardly-worn pieces another chance to shine, while also providing fellow parents some bargains, and the possibility of earning a few bucks. Consignment4kids.com is stocked with clothes and accessories for boys and girls from infant to age eight. Brands you'll find in the store include Jacadi, Pink Chicken and Polo Ralph Lauren, and items are priced to move! Pickup and dropoff can be arranged for a small fee, or you can mail in items. If your merch doesn't sell after 90 days Consignment4kids will donate the items for you to organizations like Room to Grow and Goodwill.
Recently featured in Humans of New York, Grandma’s Place is your one-stop-shop for toys, games, and books—it’s a real neighborhood gem in Harlem. Many books and toys they sell have an ethnic focus, such as the books Tea Cakes for Tosh, Sulwe, Curls, and the coloring book Princess Planet. Outdoor, musical, and Melissa & Doug toys are also available.
Parachute Brooklyn offers gently used modern and vintage clothing for kids ages 0-10. The boutique also carries a selection of new accessories as well as small-batch, one-of-a-kind pieces from local designers with a focus on upcycled materials. Big hits this fall include Parkland backpacks, socks from Happy Socks and Little Stocking Co., hair accessories from Chunks and Wunderkin Co., Umbrellas from Hipster Kid, and quilted jackets from SAJ. The shop’s selection of second-hand jackets and sweaters are among the top sellers this season.
It’s fashion-forward in this downtown NYC shop. Babesta’s newest collection of Rowdy Sprout T-shirts are in, and they're essential for making a style statement this fall. Tagless and made in LA, there's a Rowdy Sprout t-shirt for every music fan, big and little.
56 Warren St. Tribeca 646-290-5508 Online: babesta.com
A DUMBO destination for families with kids for, Two Kids and a Dog sells a mix of baby, kid and tween goods. Here’s where you’ll find a ton of toys, kids' clothing, shoes, scooters, birthday gifts and more—i.e., a well-curated inventory of a little bit of everything. Pick up your child’s high-quality essentials here, such as colorful water bottles from Eco vessel and Swell, backpacks from Herschel and Parkland, and lunch boxes from Yumbox and Omielife.
This one-of-a-kind gift shop carries everything from New York-themed mugs and baby gear, to swirly pastel chalk and Grow-Your-Own-Unicorn toy eggs. Staffers say all things organizing are hot for back-to-school, such as the Julie Mollo clutches shown here, whimsical “To-do” pads, feelings trackers, and general self-care goods.
617 Flatbush Ave. (between Fenimore Street and Rutland Road) Prospect Lefferts Gardens 718-928-7484 Online: awesomebrooklyn.com
