Support Local: Keepsakes & Limited-Edition Merch
Represent your favorite local spots by visiting their online stores and showing some love.
During the COVID-19 crisis, it’s never been more important to support local businesses, especially those that turned us onto new flavors, music, experiences, and above all, sparked joy. We’re talking about the places that became our hangouts, hideouts, second homes, and sanctuaries. The places that showed us just how heavenly a perfectly boiled dumpling can taste, affirmed the compatibility of thin-crust pizza and natural wine, and reminded us that dancing ’til daybreak is possible. We all have our spots, and now is the time to give back. Here, we round up a few local favorites selling keepsakes and limited-edition merchandise.
The live music venue and dance spot is selling limited-edition merch including a Baby’s Chain of Love 18k gold necklace for “all our baby’s with sensitive skin,” as well as branded turntable slipmats. Chains and slipmats are available for pick-up at Baby’s. If you live in NYC, they ask that you please pick-up. For those based outside of NYC, orders will be mailed out.
Since opening its doors in 2016, the Flower Shop has been a hangout for the downtown creative set who would get together in the dining room’s yellow booths to play cards and drink cocktails. With the doors closed for the moment, Ronnie Flynn, Dylan Hales, and Will Tisch, the team behind the establishment, have created branded merch available for sale including the Dundee t-shirt, RVCA x Flower Shop long-sleeved t-shirts, Obey x Flower Shop crewneck sweaters, tote bags, and more. You can also donate directly to the employee relief fund.
The one that started it all. Opened in 1920, Nom Wah Tea Parlor can be found deep in Chinatown, down a winding, old-world curve of Doyers Street. While the original location is currently closed, Nom Wah’s Nolita location is open for pick-up and delivery. You can also show your support by visiting the web store, which has a mix of items including a centennial logo pin; a set of stickers of the most popular dim sum items, designed and illustrated by Maral Varolian; an original Nom Wah Tea Parlor t-shirt; and a limited-edition canvas tote bag from the Nom Wah x Adam Lucas capsule collection.
Scarr’s is a Lower East Side institution loved for its thin-crust pizza, vegan Ceasar salad, and natural wine. The restaurant is closed but the web store is open with branded merch such as the Scarr’s pizza t-shirt, Bic 4-color ballpoint retractable pen with logo, and the Scarr’s pizza cab. Knowing Scarr’s cult-like following, these items will sell out, so don’t hesitate, act now.
Established in 1888, Katz’s is the real-deal, kosher-style New York delicatessen. Over the past five-plus weeks, Katz’s has been doing its part to feed the front line workers of New York, as well as the Lower East Side community during the healthcare crisis. You can do your part, too, by buying a t-shirt, classic hat, carving board, collectible pin or gift card from the online store, or by making a donation to directly help those in need.
The Jones—from the team behind Jeffrey’s Grocery and Fairfax—is a casual all-day eatery offering a fresh take on seafood and vegetable-focused dishes. The team has collaborated with brands and designers including Todd Snyder, Champion, Coeur Wine Co and Pierre Cotton to create merch for customers wanting to show support.
Public Records, the music-driven social space in Gowanus, launched its online store and within days many of the limited-edition prints and apparel—t-shirts, totes, caps, and more—sold out. But rest assured, more stock is on the way, so keep an eye out for alerts about new drops.
WORDS Edwina Hagon
PHOTOGRAPHY Scarrspizza.com
