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From books and stationery to yarn and beaded bags, these are the best stores in NYC for shopping and holiday gifting.

New York

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We believe shopping small is about connecting with our neighbors and keeping the true heartbeat of New York City alive. Just stroll around any neighborhood throughout the five boroughs and you'll find mom-and-pop&nbsp; businesses that keep creativity and joy alive for the hundreds of people who walk by and stop in.&nbsp; 
 
From a century-old porcelain shop in the heart of Chinatown to a recently opened, romance-only bookstore in Park Slope, here are some of our favorite small businesses for shopping local in NYC.

We believe shopping small is about connecting with our neighbors and keeping the true heartbeat of New York City alive. Just stroll around any neighborhood throughout the five boroughs and you'll find mom-and-pop&nbsp; businesses that keep creativity and joy alive for the hundreds of people who walk by and stop in.&nbsp;

From a century-old porcelain shop in the heart of Chinatown to a recently opened, romance-only bookstore in Park Slope, here are some of our favorite small businesses for shopping local in NYC.

We believe shopping small is about connecting with our neighbors and keeping the true heartbeat of New York City alive. Just stroll around any neighborhood throughout the five boroughs and you'll find mom-and-pop&nbsp; businesses that keep creativity and joy alive for the hundreds of people who walk by and stop in.&nbsp;From a century-old porcelain shop in the heart of Chinatown to a recently opened, romance-only bookstore in Park Slope, here are some of our favorite small businesses for shopping local in NYC.

What you’re here for: Bronx merch Siblings Amaurys and Roselyn Grullon’s <a href="https://www.instagram.com/THEBRONXNATIVE/" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Bronx Native</a> shop and brand is a love letter to their home turf. Created in 2015, the apparel and accessories store uplifts and empowers the people of their beloved borough through positive branding on everything from t-shirts and hats to hoodies and glassware.

Photo courtesy of Bronx Native

Bronx Native

Bronx Native Shop

What you’re here for: Curated gifts from neighborhood vendors and artisans For Katrina Parris, <a href="https://instagram.com/shopnilu?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">NiLu</a> is about giving back to Harlem and its residents. Named after her sons, Nigel and Luke, the intimate shop gives local artisans and entrepreneurs a permanent space to sell their products. A one-stop-shop for gift shopping, NiLu's goods are predominantly from Black- and women-owned brands, including cozy candles, coffee-table books, aesthetic calendars, and tote bags.

Photo courtesy of NiLu

NiLu

What you’re here for: Magazines from all over the world As the digital world grows, New Yorkers find themselves searching for whispers of the old world—aka print media. This is where Casa Magazines shines. Run by Mohammed Ahmed since 1994, the compact store bonds visitors over the irreplaceable feeling of flipping through physical pages. From well-known publications like Rolling Stone and The New Yorker to obscure zines from countries around the globe, you’ll be hard pressed to leave empty handed.

Kathy Drasky/Flickr

Casa Magazines

What you’re here for: Accessories for your pup The team at <a href="https://instagram.com/wagwear?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Wagwear</a> believes that your dog should be just as well-dressed as you (if not better). Defining its wares as “puppy chic,” the Greenwich Village spot combines style with functionality for a wide range of booties, raincoats, sweaters, hoodies, collars, and leashes. For on-the-go pet parents, there’s also a fashionable assortment of carry cases for sneaky subway rides and trips to the grocery store.

Photo courtesy of Wag Wear

Wagwear

What you’re here for: Greeting cards The art of letter writing is alive and well, partially thanks to two local heroes at <a href="https://instagram.com/greenwichletterpress?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Greenwich Letterpress</a>. For nearly two decades, sisters and third-generation printers Amy Salvini Swanson and Beth Salvini have run the Village’s most beloved greeting card boutique. It’s a delightfully wholesome experience to rifle through the hundreds of options for your next love letter, friendly salutation, or holiday hello.

Greenwich Letterpress

What you’re here for: Cannabis and cannabis accessories New York State’s first Black-owned recreational weed store, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/smackedvillage/" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Smacked Village</a> is the first of many cannabis stores that are slated to open as a way to work towards social equity in the emerging market. Owner Roland Connor, who has a previous conviction for a cannabis-related offense, operates the recently reopened and renovated store alongside his wife and son. Shoppers can either browse products from women- and BIPOC-run brands in-store or place orders online for pickup.

Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock

Smacked Village

Smacked! Village

What you’re here for: Cookbooks of all kinds First operating out of a tiny West Village space in 1997—the current East Village location has been open since 2015—&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/why-cookbook-stores-are-the-antidote-we-need-right-now" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks</a>&nbsp;is known for its unrivaled inventory of more than 5,000 recipe books. On the shelves and in scattered stacks, customers can expect to discover rare and out-of-print cookbooks dedicated to any and all conceivable cuisine, some of which date back to the mid-1800s.

Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks

What you’re here for: Witchcraft and apothecary goods Whether you’re an amateur spellcaster or a practiced sorceress, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fenchantmentsnyc%2F" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Enchantments</a>—the oldest occult store in NYC—has an open-door policy for all who wish to brush up on their witchcraft skills. Call upon the help of the well-versed staff or go on a solo hunt through intentioned formulary (or the supplies for casting spells), tarot cards, herbs, incense, and customized spell candles.

Photo courtesy of Enchantments

Enchantments

What you’re here for: Toxin-free candles After years of toying around with recipes, scents, and design elements, founder Abigail Cook Stone launched the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/otherlandco/" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Otherland</a> website in 2018. This year, the candle company transitioned from a solely online presence with the opening of its first brick-and-mortar storefront in SoHo. Stone’s mission is to create high-quality products that are accessible and functional for people of all economic backgrounds. Within the playful and colorful space, visitors can peruse an assortment of gorgeous, toxin-free candles that range in fragrance from fresh and woody to floral and smoky.

Photo by Alessandro Fresco

Otherland

What you’re here for: Non-alcoholic beverages Whether you’re flirting with or committed to a sober lifestyle, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/spiritedaway.co/" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Spirited Away</a> has helped introduce New Yorkers to the world of booze-free spirits. During the pandemic, Douglas Watters thought up the non-alcoholic shop as a way to share his mindful shift towards drinking culture. Now, shoppers can scout out a collection of more than 100 beverage brands for zero-proof spirits, wine, canned mocktails, and beers.

Photo courtesy of Spirited Away

Spirited Away

What you’re here for: Beaded bags and accessories When <a href="https://www.instagram.com/susan_alexandra/?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ%3D%3D" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Susan Alexandra</a> first hit the scene, New Yorkers were immediately obsessed with the brand’s beaded bags that exuded a unique and nostalgic sense of whimsy. Since then, owner Susan Korn’s creations—all of which are handmade in NYC—have only grown in popularity with the opening of the flagship store in 2021. In addition to the famous bags, the Lower East Side homebase also sells jewelry, hair accessories, candle holders, tableware, and more.

Photo by Eric Petschek

Susan Alexandra

What you’re here for: Vintage and designer clothing plus accessories Finding this funky vintage oasis is half the adventure. Located on the second floor of an unassuming Chinatown mall, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jamesveloria/?hl=en" target="_blank">James Veloria</a> welcomes guests through the heart-shaped doorway to a playful interior decked out in confetti drapes. Operated by Collin James and Brandon Veloria, the store has become a not-so-hidden gem for one-of-a-kind pieces. The merchandise at James Veloria lives up to the hype thanks to rare designer and archival finds, including pieces by Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Dior.

What you’re here for: Porcelain wares and Asian American cultural goods Holding the title for the oldest continuously operating store in Manhattan’s Chinatown, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fwingonwoandco%2F" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Wing on Wo &amp; Co.</a> is an undisputed New York City institution. With a five-generation-long legacy, some version of the family-run store has lived on Mott Street since the 1890s. In its current state, Wing on Wo &amp; Co. sells a wide variety of porcelain wares (plates, bowls, eating utensils) and is run by Mei Lum—who is behind <a href="https://www.wowprojectnyc.org/" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">The W.O.W. Project</a> that works towards preserving Chinatown’s community and history—and functions as an in-store and online shop.

Eric Parker/Flickr

Wing on Wo & Co.

Wing on Wo & Co

What you’re here for: Loose-leaf tea Loose-leaf tea and sustainability are at the forefront of Astoria Tea Company. On the shelves of this family- and women-run tea paradise, customers will only find wares sourced from bio-organic farmers which are packaged in paper and minimal amounts of plastic. (The shop is striving to become a zero-waste facility.) Try one of the intentional teas like Life Elixir, which helps to detox the liver and ease digestion, or Happy Brew, which helps calm the nervous system.

Oksana Shufrych/Shutterstock

Astoria Tea Company

What you’re here for: Artisanal Korean rice wine Business partners Alice Jun and John Limb see their Korean rice wine company as a labor of love. Motivated by a dream to expand people’s knowledge of sool (Korean alcoholic beverages) and the sense of community that surrounds it, Jun and Limb transformed their makgeolli (unfiltered Korean rice wine) business from a startup out of Jun’s apartment to a store and tasting room in Greenpoint. Snag a bottle of the signature Takju 16, which sits at 16% ABV and has notes of melon plus green apple.

Photo courtesy of Hana Makgeolli

Hana Makgeolli

What you’re here for: Vintage clothing, home decor, and furniture You'll be greeted by a disco ball and luscious greenery at Greenpoint’s <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fengsway/?hl=en" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Feng Sway</a>, where tropical maximalism is the vibe. From turn-of-the-century pieces to Gen Z trends, this vintage haven sells everything from knit sweaters and quilted sets to seashell lamps and bamboo end tables. Owner and artist Kate Lauter sources her goods from across the country to create a compelling mix of styles and aesthetics that means you'll always find something new on every return trip.&nbsp;

Feng Sway

FENG SWAY

What you’re here for: Herbal remedies Born and raised in Costa Rica, herbalist Adriana Ayales’ created the holistic oasis&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/animamundiherbals/" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Anima Mundi</a>&nbsp;to share traditional medicine and remedies with the modern world. At the Greenpoint flagship customers can peruse more than 200 herbs offering a range of health benefits in the form of powders, elixirs, tonics, body and face oils, teas, and much more. For those in Manhattan, there’s also a second location in SoHo.

Photo courtesy of Anima Mundi

Anima Mundi

What you’re here for: Skateboarding gear For two decades, KCDC Skateshop has advocated for a&nbsp; more inclusive and progressive culture within skateboarding. The brains behind the operation is founder and Long Island-native Amy Ellington. In addition to selling decks, hardware, shoes, and clothing, the bright-pink skate shop hosts community events like yoga for skateboarders, indoor skate nights, discussion panels, and more. &nbsp;

Photo courtesy of KCDC Skateshop

KCDC Skateshop

KCDC Skate Shop

What you’re here for: Fresh and packaged pasta Fresh pasta is one of the best things in life (you can quote us on that). And one of Brooklyn’s most beloved businesses, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/savinosqualitypasta/" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Savino’s Quality Pasta</a>, specializes in just that. Behind the counter, you’ll find owner Cono Savino, who runs the shop alongside his parents Frank and Josephine. While there’s a selection of prepared foods, the fresh pasta selection shines with options like angel hair, fusilli, fettuccini, and cavatelli. Savino also hosts an intimate, BYOB <a href="https://form.jotform.com/230925495294162" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">pasta-making experience</a> at $70 per guest.

Photo courtesy of Savino’s Quality Pasta

Savino's Quality Pasta

What you’re here for: Yarn (obviously)&nbsp; Yarn is a family business for Cleo Malone. They originally helped run Cast Away Yarn Shop in Santa Rosa, California alongside her mom, before opening their own business in New York in 2022, transforming an East Williamsburg warehouse into a cozy yarn barn dubbed <a href="https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fcleosyarnshop%2F" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Cleo’s Yarn Shop</a>. In addition to vibrant racks of yarn for sale, the business offers knitting, crocheting, and weaving classes, as well as private lessons and weekly happy hours.

Photo courtesy of Cleo’s Yarn Shop

Cleo’s Yarn Shop

What you’re here for: Vinyl records Whether you're a die-hard vinyl-lover or a fresh-faced new collector, Deep Cuts Record Store is a treasured go-to for all of your record collection needs. From Columbian American owner Brandon and business partner John, the mainly secondhand store has been in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thrillist.com/lifestyle/new-york/things-to-do-ridgewood-queens-nyc" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Ridgewood</a>&nbsp;for eight years. Guests are greeted by blue-and-white checkered floors, tables stacked with an eclectic mix of used and new vinyls, shelves lined with cassettes, and, most notably, an altar dedicated to the Tejano music icon <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/selena-the-series-trailer-netflix" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Selena</a>. With loads of genres available, the extensive selection at Deep Cuts ranges from salsa and reggaeton to Latin pop and classic rock.

Deep Cuts Record Store

What you’re here for: Cameras and film In addition to selling analog cameras and film to Brooklynites, Dominick Lewis’ dream is to make the photography world a more inclusive one. At the pocket-sized <a href="https://instagram.com/photodom.nyc?igshid=MzMyNGUyNmU2YQ==" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">photodom.</a>, which is also the only Black-owned camera store in NYC, the staff is quick with a helping hand. Lewis’ spot also offers camera and studio rentals, workshops, and a monthly <a href="https://photodom.shop/grant-program/" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">grant program</a> for aspiring photographers.

Prathankarnpap/Shutterstock

photodom.

Photodom

What you’re here for: Lifestyle goods, clothes, books, and plants For founder and Brooklyn-based artist Christophe Roberts, this hybrid gallery, retail shop, and cafe hopes to expand innovation and creativity in New York City. Located on Bedford Ave, the bi-level <a href="https://www.instagram.com/seedbrklyn/?hl=en" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">SEED Bryklyn</a> boasts a cool, industrial design across three distinct elements: The Oasis, an immersive art and NFT gallery; Greenhouse Cafe, a coffee shop stocked with plants and lifestyle goods; and The Garden, a retail space featuring world-renowned and freshly conceived brands.

Photo by Greg Travers

SEED Brklyn

Seed Brklyn

What you’re here for: Plants and gardening accessories In the middle of the concrete jungle,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/nattygarden/?hl=en" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Natty Garden</a> plant emporium, from Jamaica native Glenroy Mahfood, is a reliable source for some greenery and natural beauty in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Prospect Heights. Since opening in 2008, the nursery’s range of wares has expanded to include indoor and outdoor plants, herbs, fruits, soil, and gardening tools. You can also drop by its Bed-Stuy sibling.

Photo courtesy of Natty Garden

Natty Garden

What you’re here for: Romance novels Romance novels are having a moment—but we could make a case that they always are. A passion project from sisters Leah and Bea Koch, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/therippedbodice/" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">The Ripped Bodice</a> first opened a storefront in LA, as a way to bring romance novels to a wider audience. Following their West Coast hit, the Koch sisters have now brought the bubblegum pink exterior to Brooklyn. Here, customers can peruse a range of romance novels separated into sub-genres like contemporary, LGBTQ+, science fiction, historical, and erotica.

Photo by Megan Kantor

The Ripped Bodice

<a href="https://www.thrillist.com/authors/izzy-baskette" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Izzy Baskette</a> is the New York City Staff Writer for Thrillist. Talk to her at izzy.baskette@voxmedia.com or find her on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/izbaskette/" rel=" noopener" target="_blank">Instagram</a>.

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The Ultimate Shopping Guide to NYC

Ultimate Shopping Guide to NYC: Small Businesses for Holiday Gifting

From a mecca for magazines to a palace of porcelain, here are 25 small businesses that have to be on your holiday shopping list.

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We believe shopping small is about connecting with our neighbors and keeping the true heartbeat of New York City alive.

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