The Bed-Stuy Challenge: To Buy in the Stuy
I’ve been seeing a few news items here and there urging us to spend our holiday dollars in the borough of Brooklyn. Â A few days ago I thought I’d go one step further and try to spend all of my holiday dollars in the confines of Bed-Stuy. Â Then I remembered that there were a few things that I had already decided to purchase for gifts and these things require that I go to other neighborhoods, but still, I think that I can do 80% of my holiday shopping in my own neighborhood.
With that in mind, I’m trying to think of places to shop in Bed-Stuy. So far I’ve thought of
The Shops of Lewis Avenue (SoLa)
I think that I will be able to purchase a few things on Lewis. The last time I was in Brownstone Books I thought they had a nice selection. I have to buy gifts for a few bookworms, so I’ll be able to find something that they will like at this neighborhood bookstore. I’ll also visit the Lewis Avenue Market for unique gifts.
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Bedford Avenue Flea Market
I haven’t been to the new Bedford Avenue Flea Market yet, but I’m hoping to purchase some interesting gifts here. Has anyone been to this market yet?
Le Chateau de Frenche Day SpaÂ
I have a gift certificate to this spa that I haven’t used yet.  I’m thinking that I might purchase gift certificates for friends and family so that we can go to the spa together.  Sometimes people are less likely to pamper themselves during tough economic times, so I’m sure the people I have in mind for this gift will really appreciate it.
Exotic Homes and Gardens
I’ve always liked this shop. I know a few people who have moved into new digs and I’m thinking that I can purchase a few things here.
Shop Bed-Stuy
The Bed-Stuy Business Alliance has a website that lists some of the businesses in the neighborhood. Their shopping guide needs some updating, but I found a couple of places on the site that might be good sources for holiday gifts.
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To those of you who plan to do gift-giving this season, do you have any suggestions where we can spend our holiday dollars in Bed-Stuy? Extra points for those who can name places that have unique gifts. Â Affordable (read: bargain) gift stores are welcome too!
25 November 2008, 8:18 pm
How about shopping for a home or apartment rental in bedstuy. I miss the real estate listings you used to post as do a lot people I know.
25 November 2008, 8:44 pm
Really? Ok, ok, I’ll get back on it and stop being so lazy. Thanks for the feedback.
26 November 2008, 10:59 am
This is a perfect reminder thanks a bunch. We have so many nice shops in the area that need to be supported, and stress levels will be so low without having bulky packages on the train…
26 November 2008, 4:06 pm
Yes thanks for the shout out to SHOPBEDSTUY lets keep it in the community. This will also hopefully bring new and even more exciting shopping to the BEDSTUY AREA also thanks for bringing us THE BEDSTUYBLOG
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ONE AND ALL!
26 November 2008, 6:02 pm
Little Red Boutique on Lewis (and, um, Macon?)is also a member of SoLA and has a nice selection of body/beauty-type items that would make good gifts.
01 December 2008, 4:28 pm
Absolutely! This is a great reminder to us all to put our money where our mouth is. If we want great stores in our community we need to spend out money there!
Somebody once gave me a homemade gift card for a dinner at a restaurant. I thought that was a great idea.
Let the holidays begin.
01 December 2008, 6:33 pm
Thanks for the Real Estate listing coming back, especially since many people are so uncertain about renting and buy with this housing crisis. Prices have increased for rentals and dropped for sales so let’s see what’s going on out there in Bed Stuy!
Unfortunately a lot of these places do not have gift cards, but ask for gift certificates then!
02 December 2008, 1:04 pm
You know what would be nice? If they set up those little booths to sell stuff like they do in the city. Home made craft items and such, especially set up near a busy commuter intersection. Can anyone think of a commercial hub in BedStuy?
05 December 2008, 10:32 am
According to a flier on a mail-box on Bainbridge and Lewis there is a holiday market this Saturday at Our Lady of Victory Church on Throop and Macdonough. I can’t find anything on the web about it but I plan to walk by. According to the flier there’ll be booths with crafts and other gifts for both women, children, and men. The market is to take place in the gymnasium. Might be a good place to shop locally.