The Downtown Alliance came up with a concept called RE:Store that allows fledgling retail businesses to occupy empty storefronts in their district — and starting Memorial Day seven of them will take occupancy through Labor Day. It’s a neat idea — it addresses both the plague of empty storefronts and incubates businesses.
The full list is below; the stores include a record label, a specialty cookbook shop, a vintage clothing retailer and a craft supply shop.
More than 360 applications were submitted earlier this year; the winners were chosen by a panel of retail experts. The companies will also receive up to $15,000 in grant funding for fit-out and operating expenses along with assistance on fit-out, design, permitting and insurance. The stores are also required to create events and activations for their customers and the local community.
Plus BKLYN: 2 Broadway
A boutique specializing in secondhand and vintage plus-size fashion (sizes 12+), people often left out of traditional retail.
Kitchen Arts & Letters: 111 Broadway
A pop-up bookstore dedicated to food and drink focused on New York City’s culinary traditions.
Brooklyn Craft Company: 225 Broadway
A modern craft supply shop and DIY workshop space that will stock supplies such as yarn, fabric, notions, kits, crafty gifts and more. There will also be drop-in crafting opportunities.
The Numero Group: 186 Front St.
The archival record label will sell its definitive box sets, vinyl reissues, CDs tapes and more. Founded in 2003 by Rob Sevier and Ken Shipley, Numero mines the 20th century for sonic curios, packaging and contextualizing their discoveries for a new generation of listeners.
Dimorae Home and Francis’ World: 190 Front St.
The store is a collaboration of the two brands and will feature hand-printed artworks, stationery, tableware and home goods.
Element Brooklyn: 192 Front St.
A sustainable luxury home goods brand that manufactures soaps, candles, diffusers, body care, hair care and cleaning products. There will also be interactive scent exploration, hands-on candle-making and Element’s sustainable refillery.