One Year of The Locavore Guide!
Celebrating small NYC businesses and illustrating my favorite shops
Happy anniversary to The Locavore Guide! I joined the team as a writer and illustrator when it launched last summer and getting to know the brilliant, resilient, creative people behind my favorite independent shops has truly been a life highlight. If you’d like to support more small businesses based in New York City, you can search our FREE online directory of more than 14,000 shops!
Great news: ALL of The Locavore Guide’s editorial content is now free! Look for my articles in the Around Town section. (And consider becoming a member for the following perks: a permanent discount whenever you buy anything from the NEW brick-and-mortar shop in Greenwich Village and weekly newsletters. Membership is only $5/month or $50/year.)
In my latest article, I wrote about the upcoming Stationery Fest in August hosted by one of my favorite shops, Yoseka Stationery in Greenpoint! World-famous brands such as Muji, Blackwing, Kaweco, Pilot, and many more will be present at the inaugural festival, along with tons of smaller exhibitors and shops from around the world. Here are some vendors that I recommend you visit and a rundown of my favorite products.
GRAND OPENING!
The brick-and-mortar version of The Locavore Guide opened on June 15! Founder Caroline Weaver, who previously owned the greatest pencil shop CW Pencil Enterprise, debuted a new shop at 434 6th Avenue in Greenwich Village filled with items by independent brands. The Locavore Variety Store is an emporium of locally sourced home goods, food, drinks, gifts, and more made within 100 miles of NYC.
You can learn more in New York Magazine's article.
Here’a a throwback: my first feature for The Locavore Guide! Last summer, I interviewed Leah Koch, co-founder of The Ripped Bodice, the first romance bookstore in New York. This independent, sister-owned shop in Park Slope has a very diverse selection of books and gift items. It’s possibly the most beautiful bookstore you will ever enter!
And one more Park Slope gem! The zero-waste store and refillery Earth & Me is another favorite. This is a wonderful eco-friendly general store for all your needs owned by Kayli Kunkel, who opened a Park Slope outpost last May after the success of her Queens locations in Astoria and Ditmars. You can read my interview with Kayli here.
And for those who don’t live in New York, I hope this site helps if you're visiting! The Locavore Guide is SO useful if you’re looking for something very specific — a bookstore, record shop, or small Italian grocery in a certain neighborhood etc. If anyone wants me to check out an amazing small business in NYC, feel free to reach out to me!