Are you celebrating your Valentine’s Day in NYC? Don’t do the cliché thing by going to restaurants everyone’s heard of before… in a fast fashion outfit… with a gift that you got at the chain store. NYC is home to a hub of small businesses for you to support this Valentine’s Day, and here’s a whole list of them.
Date Night Outfits
Susanna Chow
If you’re looking for a stand-out coat (it’s freezing in NYC right now), look no further than Susanna Chow. Their coats range in the upper hundreds of dollars, but they are high quality and absolutely unique. Owned by a mother-daughter duo, Susanna Chow aims to bring ethically sourced, sustainable pieces to buyers in NYC.
L Train Vintage
If neither of these stores are doing it for you, maybe you want to try something vintage! L Train is a great option, and with many locations and a huge warehouse, it has options for everyone. We recommend trying out the location in Williamsburg, and really taking your time going through the racks; there are some cheap gems!
Glam Expressway
Located in DUMBO, Brooklyn, Glam Expressway is a multi brand store with products that are cultivated with love. Clothing comes from women-owned, black-owned, sustainable, and designer brands, giving everyone a choice of their favorite pieces.
Dinner Dates
Paesano of Little Italy
For a classic Italian dinner date, you’d be remiss if you ignored Little Italy. Paesano on Mulberry Street is a small, eloquently decorated Italian restaurant that brings authentic food from Sicily, all the way to NYC.
Scarr’s Pizza
Scarr’s Pizza on the Lower East Side is always busy, but for good reason. Not only are the oldie vibes inside the shop super cozy, but the owner mills his own grains in the basement, which results in the best pies— you gotta check it out.
Mamoun’s Falafel
Mamoun’s Falafel has been serving authentic Middle Eastern food to New Yorker’s for over 50 years now. With plenty of locations to try from, the original location is still standing in Greenwich Village. If you choose to go to the flagship in Greenwich, make sure you bring cash!
Trattoria Dell’Arte
If you want a beautiful, but semi-funky decorated establishment, Trattoria Dell’Arte is the place to go. Perfectly located in Midtown Manhattan, this Italian restaurant carries you right into the heart of an Italian art studio.
Gifts for Your Partner
Sunny’s Florist
In NYC it’s easy to find a florist on every corner. But Sunny’s Florist is AAPI-owned and puts a whole lot of love into every bouquet. Check it out on 2nd Ave & E. 6th St.
NiLu
NiLu in Harlem is owned by the amazing and strong Katrina Parris. Named after her two sons, Nigel and Luke, she uses NiLu as an opportunity to give back to artists and local artisans in the neighborhood—which allows her to sell a super cool and eclectic batch of gift items.
Measure Twice
You obviously need to buy your partner a Valentine’s Day card, so check out the stationery store Measure Twice. With greeting cards, pens, candles, and so much more, you can find whatever knick-knacks your partner may want at this store in Downtown Brooklyn.
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