This Small Business Saturday, I want to shout out and send lots of love to the 15 small businesses – spanning 17 locations – that host our flower subscription pick-ups.
As I was reading up on each one again in preparation for this post, my heart was full of so much admiration. Being in the trenches of small business myself, I understand the passion and drive and unfortunately, sometimes, the lack of boundaries and perfect self-care that it takes to keep a small business going any given week. Let alone in the midst of an affordable housing crisis, the recent threat of recession (the constant chatter about it is enough to impact us, whether it’s actually happening is another topic altogether), and oh, you know, a global pandemic.
Of these 15 businesses, 11 are woman–owned, 4 are Black owned, and 2 are Asian owned.
The 15 businesses who have so generously housed our #seasonalflowerproject Flower Subscriptions are, in descending order of northernmost to southernmost, are:
Café Buunni (of Buunni Coffee) – Est. 2012, Washington Heights
Sugar Hill Creamery – Est. 2017, Central Harlem and East Harlem
Shakespeare & Co. – Est. 1983, Upper East + Upper West Side
180 the Store – Est. 2016, Tribeca
Grandaisy Bakery – Est. 2006, Tribeca
Little Chef, Little Café – Est. 2019, Long Island City
Achilles Heel – Est. 2013, Greenpoint
Stranger Wines – Est. 2019, Williamsburg
Roman’s – Est. 2009, Fort Greene
Books are Magic – Est. 2017, Cobble Hill and Brooklyn Heights
Brooklyn Farmacy – Est. 2010, Carroll Gardens
Kos Kaffe – Est. 2012, Park Slope
Bakery on Bergen – Est. 2014, Prospect Heights
Simple Syrup – Est. 2016, Crown Heights
Hamilton’s – Est. 2012, Windsor Terrace
Each one of these businesses has a moving origin story. And just spending a few minutes on each’s Instagram page brings home how hard these owners work, to take care of their communities and their staff. They’re superhuman.
I plan to do a better job of shouting out and sharing these stories in the coming year! 2024 will be our Flower Subscriptions’ 5th Anniversary and there is a lot to celebrate, and still so much to improve.
For a little nostalgia, I’ll share that in late 2020, I cold emailed or called the majority of the businesses above, with a proposal to host our subscription flowers as “host sites.” We were coming off the inaugural year of the subscription business, and I knew that carrying on with only direct deliveries to dozens of people in 1 day wasn’t going to work numbers-wise (too much labor, too much mileage, too much gas). I had only recently been taught the basics of using CANVA, by former employee/friend/fellow farmer Kat, and used that novice energy to produce this charming piece of computer art, actually a 7 page proposal:
Here's a sample reply – most were equally open and willing – from Sarina Prabasi, co-owner of Buunni Coffee company (with her husband Elias):
The uniqueness, openness, community-oriented-ness and collaborative, creative approach of each business we’ve partnered with since February 2021 has been deeply fulfilling. Over the past 3 years, we’ve gotten to know these businesses, their owners, staff and their regular customers. We’ve witnessed the innovative ways each navigated its way through the height of the pandemic and social distancing, and to see how they generally work so hard to feed/clothe/treat/caffeinate/culture/educate their communities. We feel honored to be invited in, celebrated, championed, and supported by them.
In summary, we’ve adored working with each and every site, feel incredibly thankful, and in an attempt to return the favor, here’s a quick shout out for all 17 locations, with a quick blurb / fun fact about each…
Again, in order of northernmost to southernmost:
Café Buunni (of Buunni Coffee) – 213 Pinehurst Avenue, Washington Heights, NY 10033
Husband and wife Elias and Sarina opened Café Buunni in 2012, to share the rich history and flavor of Ethiopian Coffee with New Yorkers. This #smallbusinesssaturday, orders of $50 or more earn you a 5-pack of their super popular coffee sachets!
Sugar Hill Creamery, West and Central Harlem – 3629 Broadway, NY, NY 10031 and 184 Lenox Avenue, NY, NY 10026
Sugar Hill Creamery was launched into being by another husband and wife team, Petrushka and Nick, and their inventive and super fun ice cream flavors are inspired by their Caribbean and Midwestern heritages. Did you know that they ship their ice cream pints and cakes nationwide?!
Shakespeare and Co. Booksellers – 2020 West Broadway, NY, NY 10013 and 939 Lexington Avenue, NY, NY 10065
Shakespeare & Co. has been around since 1983 – 40 years this year!! This is the oldest business we’re partnered with. They host author signings, and often other small businesses to pop up in their stores. True community builders!
180 the Store – 180 Duane St., NY, NY 10013
We’ve enjoyed taking in the beautiful home goods, furniture, and rotating fashion residencies hosted at 180 the Store, founded by Denise Williamson. Our flowers love landing in this gorgeous space of a showroom, that dates back to 1860!
Little Chef, Little Café – 5-43 48th Road, Long Island City, NY 11101
Founder/Owner Diana Manalang opened Little Chef, Little Café in 2019, as an outgrowth of her catering business, converting her kitchen into a take-out spot. Now, LCLC is a bustling and beloved community café, still offers catering, and even meal-prepped ready-to-heat meals for families and for kids’ lunches! All inspired by her Filipino heritage!
Achilles Heel – 80 West St. Brooklyn, NY 11222
Achilles Heel has also been hosting us since February 2021. This quiet, neighborhood gem of a Gastropub in Greenpoint puts seasonal spins on classic dishes. It’s also host to Chef Sunny’s traveling pop-up @banchanbysunny.
Stranger Wines – 132 Havemeyer St., Brooklyn, NY 11211
We began partnering with Marlow Collective’s wine shop, Stranger Wines, in summer of 2021. This special wine shop features natural and organic wines from small scale sustainable producers from around the world.
Roman’s – 243 Dekalb Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205
The Marlow Collective – umbrella to Roman’s, Stranger Wines and Achilles Heel – founded by Andrew Tarlow – has long been an inspiration of mine. We share values in celebrating and investing in what each season has to offer, and Andrew launched a trend in artisanal locally-sourced food. Their Italian-inspired menu changes frequently and I highly recommend a night out here!
Books are Magic – 122 Montague St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
Books are Magic on Montague St. started hosting our flower pick-ups in February 2023! It’s a dream to be sharing our flowers with this amazing family-run bookstore, where inclusivity is apparent in all they do.
Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain – 513 Henry St., Brooklyn, NY 11231
Brooklyn Farmacy opened in 2010, and – fun fact – was one of my first cold calls in 2011 as a urban flower farmer, to see if they’d be up for hosting a flower pop up. (See my photo above!) The hospitality of Brooklyn Farmacy hasn’t changed a bit. This beloved 1920s-era pharmacy turned soda fountain is a beloved Brooklyn spot, just the kind that makes Brooklyn so unique.
Kos Kaffe – 251 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, 11215
Kos Kaffe sources quality beans and roasts in house. Owner Sarah Huck worked in some of NYC’s most beloved restaurants before opening this charming, sun-lit corner café in Park Slope. Her homespun, seasonal menu and love for her community make this a perfect partner for us.
Bakery on Bergen, 740 Bergen St., Brooklyn, NY 11238
Akim Vann channels her Chinese and Black American heritage, her love of Brooklyn and her math background into her passion for baking and creating a vibrant community space that’s “#morethanabakery,” on Bergen St. in the heart of Prospect Heights. Fun fact: We both went to Barnard! Akim has shown serious hospitality to our flowers and we never turn down a Smoked Sea Salt chocolate chip cookie or their incredible vanilla rum cake!
Simple Syrup, 810 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11216
I remember when Simple Syrup opened in late 2016, because I lived just down the block! Co-owners Kai and Kate transformed the property into a beautiful, light and plant-filled space that is constantly bringing in exciting natural wines and spirits. The staff is always ready to help you figure out the best pour for whatever the occasion or whatever you’re cooking. A very special spot!
Hamilton’s, 2826 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11218
Owner Georgia Read welcomed our flower subscriptions with open arms in early 2021. Coincidentally, I now live a couple blocks from Hamilton’s and it’s a regular stop for me for a close-to-home-cooked meal. There’s something about the menu – cozy, comforting, balanced. We love Hamilton’s!