Support Local: The Best Small Businesses Based in NYC

Source: Squarespace/Unsplash

NYC’s Small Businesses

New York City is a vibrant tapestry of small businesses, each contributing to the city's unique and diverse cultural landscape. From cozy coffee shops tucked away in bustling neighborhoods to quirky boutique stores lining iconic streets, the variety of small businesses in NYC is nothing short of impressive. The city offers a kaleidoscope of culinary delights with family-owned eateries serving authentic cuisine from around the world, while artisanal bakeries and local markets tempt passersby with delectable treats. Fashionistas can explore a myriad of independently owned boutiques, featuring cutting-edge designs, vintage treasures, and handcrafted accessories. Neighborhoods boast their own distinct flair, from the artistic havens in Brooklyn to the historic charm of the West Village. Additionally, the entrepreneurial spirit thrives in the form of unique niche businesses, ranging from specialized bookstores to bespoke art galleries. In this bustling metropolis, each small business contributes not only to the local economy but also to the rich tapestry of experiences that make New York City a dynamic and endlessly fascinating urban landscape.

Source: Harlem Candles

harlem candles

Harlem Candles is a luxury home fragrance brand inspired by the richness of the Harlem neighborhood. Travel and lifestyle expert Teri Johnson founded the company in 2014 because she was drawn to Harlem’s rich and vibrant past. Johnson wanted to celebrate and tell the stories of the neighborhood through scent with her brand. The items are sold in multiple locations across Brooklyn and New York City. 

Harlem Candles sells perfumes, soaps, lotions, candles with accessories, room sprays, and reed diffusers. Some of the best-selling scents are ones for her luxury candle line. These luxury scents include “Josephine” that has top notes of citrus and bergamot and base notes of sandalwood, tonka bean, amber, and vanilla. “Langston” with top notes of nutmeg, clove, and leather and base notes of vanilla, sandalwood, and amber. “Speakeasy” with top notes of cardamom, smoked incense, and pimento berry and base notes of palo santo, patchouli, vanilla, and dark chocolate. And “Lady Day,” with top notes of lush green leaves, neroli blossom, and sparkling bergamot and base notes of coconut milk, sandalwood, and vetiver. The candles offer unique combinations of scents with a luxurious feel. 

Source: Wikimedia Commons, Photo by Elbert Hampton/ CC BY 1.0

logos bookstore

Located in the Upper East Side, this is a specialty bookstore that offers the largest selection of Judeo-Christian books and bibles in Manhattan. The bookstore sells religious and secular books, as well as cards, music, and gift items. They also sell fictional books, as well as books for children and young adults. The Carl Schurz Park is located one block away, offering visitors the perfect opportunity to read in the park. 

The bookstore has multiple reading and poetry groups, such as the Kill Your TV Reading Group and The Sacred Texts Group. There’s also been many art showcases at the bookstore, such as a showcase for Russian artist Sonia Grineva. Other artists are featured on their website with links to the artists’ websites and blogs. 

The production team behind the widely acclaimed Netflix series "You" made strategic use of Logos Book Store's exterior and the front interior to meticulously craft the aesthetic of Mooney's, the bookstore featured in the show. The careful selection of Logos Book Store as the backdrop for Mooney's adds an authentic and visually compelling element to the series, seamlessly integrating real-world locations into the fictional narrative.

Source: Squarespace/Unsplash

joy flower pot

Located on 40 Hester St., this flower shop was founded by a woman named Joy and taken over by another woman named Kelly in 2020. Kelly’s arrangements are whimsical, colorful, and focus on the natural elements of the flowers. Her technique with arranging flowers is to let her creativity flow effortlessly but with intention.  

The shop does branding/corporate events, weddings, and set designs/styled shoots. Anyone interested in getting flowers for their event can fill out a general form on the website, under the “events” tab. The website features a portfolio with pictures of gorgeous arrangements at past events. Some include weddings with white floral archways and table arrangements consisting of greenery with accents of citrus fruits. 

The shop also has different collections. One of the more recent collections was a Valentine’s Day one that featured arrangements with roses, accented by colorful orange, blue, pink, and purple flowers. Arrangements can range from $125 to over $500, depending on the size and flowers used. The shop also offers an option to build your own bouquet, with prices ranging from $125-$305. 

Source: Squarespace/Unsplash

leif

Established in 2011 by Stacy Anne Longenecker, LEIF is a women-owned and women-operated shop selling all sorts of home decor and gift items. The shop is in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and sells various goods such as home decor, artwork, home fragrance and bath supplies, paper goods, jewelry and accessories, and kitchen and dining items. They also have a website for online shopping. 

The website describes the LEIF lifestyle as, “fresh, inviting, and a little surprising,” and their goal as “giving beauty and joy to the everyday.” All designs printed on the items are unique and rustic, often featuring neutral tones and floral patterns. 

Kitchen and dining items sold consist of plates, kitchen towels, mugs, glassware, candles and candle holders, cooking items, and serveware. Artwork consists of unique abstracts and gorgeous landscape paintings, as well as one-of-a-kind pieces. They also sell unique items to decorate your space, such as blankets, pillows, vases, faux plants, lamps, picture frames, and store organizers. In addition to this, LEIF has greeting cards, stationary sets, notebooks, and desk items such as washi tape and to-do list pads, all printed with simple, country-style designs. The items sold in this shop are creative and well-made.

Source: Squarespace/Unsplash

java girl

Java Girl is a local business that has been selling high-quality coffee beans and tea leaves for 24 years. They offer food, pastries, and specialty drinks, and sell handmade gift items and accessories. All the coffee is 100% Arabica, flavored by hand, high-grown, and hand-picked. No chemicals are used for processing, and the coffee is delivered freshly roasted every day. The high-quality tea leaves come from importers across the United States. 

The cafe has an online shop where you can buy tea, coffee, accessories for tea and coffee, mugs, and gifts. The website lists the core values of the business as professionalism, integrity, and excellence.  

Java Girl House Blends include Gerry’s, Java Girl’s, Woods, Brooklyn Java, and 59th Street Bridge blends. They also have flavored coffee, with flavors such as Creme De Noisette, Toasted Praline, and Vanilla Amond. For those who drink decaffeinated coffee, Java Girl has Swiss water decaf blends in flavors Creme De Noisette, Colombian Supremo, Italian Roast, and French Roast. Tea flavors consist of English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Imperial Pan Fried Green, and Breathe Easy Ginger. On their website, they also sell brewers and filters for coffee, as well as infusers for tea. 

conclusion

There’s nothing better than supporting local businesses in your area, and these small businesses offer a wide range of products to fit every budget. If you live in New York City or are planning a visit, it’s worth it to check them out and support these great businesses!