NYC Shopping & Shops - NYC
Shopping & Shops in NYC
May 2022 / Shops & Shopping NYC / Gotham Buzz NYC.
This section includes stories about many of the interesting shops in Manhattan.
Click here to go to the NYC Shops & Shopping section of the site.
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NYC Street Fairs & Farmers Markets NYC 2022
Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island Street Fairs, Festivals and Farmers Markets
May 2022 / NYC Shopping / Gotham Buzz NYC.
A number of NYC farmers markets may be open year round, but most of them are seasonal. Many of the seasonal NYC farmers markets generally begin opening in May, with the rest of them opening in June or no later than the first couple of weeks in July. Click here to view the schedules of many of the farmers markets in Brooklyn, farmers markets in Staten Island, Bronx Farmers Markets NYC, Manhattan Farmers Markets NYC, and Queens Farmers Markets NYC.
NYC street fairs, on the other hand, are entirely seasonal. Some of them hit the streets as early as April. The number of NYC street fairs rises during the late spring and continues through the dog days of summer [July / August], including into the late part of the Fall. By late October / the end of November the NYC street fairs give way to holiday markets before going on hiatus during the dead of winter, with a few returning as early as April. Click here to view a full schedule of the Brooklyn street fairs, Staten Island street fairs, Manhattan street fairs, Queens street fairs, and Bronx street fairs.
NYC Farmers Markets 2022
Year Round Farmers Markets in NYC Continue & New Season Beckons
April 21, 2021 / NYC Neighborhoods / Things To Do NYC / Gotham Buzz NYC.
With taxes behind us, we can now look forward to the warmer weather and spending more time outside, after a long two years of limited activity.
While the mask mandates are under contention, NYC and NYS remain resolute in continuing them a while longer on public transit, which millions crowd into daily, and then spread out into the rest of the city and state.
Younger men are the most likely demographic group to not wear masks. They say caution is the better part of valor, which essentially means you don't have to prove you're stupid, by 'proving your manhood' by not wearing a mask. It's not just compliance with the law, it's also a sign of respect to your fellow passengers who might be older or have underlying conditions, which make them more susceptible to illness, hospitalizations and death.
Anyhow, I digress, as things are looking up. For the past two years many farmers markets remained open, as they were classified as essential businesses and held outdoors so considered less of a potential breeding ground for CoVid. While many remained open, they curtailed hours, and some went on hiatus or completely closed down.
To inform you as to which farmers markets are returning and which are not, we've kept the closed farmers markets on our pages, but denote those that are closed and suggest whether they are likely to reopen - for the few that may. The rest is an update for the 2022 season of NYC farmers markets, including opening and closing dates / times, food selections, payment options and related services like composting and clothing collection for those who are trying to do their best to help save our planet.
We'll update these pages again as we enter the opening of the first wave of seasonal markets in May / June and again in July. In the meantime here's a guide to farmers markets, including those that are open year round, by NYC borough. Enjoy.
Staten Island Farmers Markets NYC
NYC Holiday Events in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx & Staten Island
Christmas Tree Lightings, Hanukkah Menorah Lightings, Kwanzaa Candle Lightings in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx & on Staten Island NYC
December 1, 2021 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Holidays / Gotham Buzz NYC.
NYC Holiday Events in All Five Boroughs of NYC
This section is intended to provide a compendium of a multitude of mostly free holiday communal events in all five boroughs of NYC. This is not an exhaustive list.
The photo at right was taken in the Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn, which goes all out for the holidays.
For indoor events the NYC COVID protocols remain in effect. Rsvp is recommended.
Click here for Bronx holiday events, Christmas tree lightings, Hanukkah menorah lightings, Kwanzaa candle lightings NYC.
Click here for Brooklyn holiday events, Christmas tree lightings, Hanukkah menorah lightings, Kwanzaa candle lightings NYC.
Click here for Manhattan holiday events, Christmas tree lightings, Hanukkah menorah lightings, Kwanzaa candle lightings NYC.
Click here for Queens holiday events, Christmas tree lightings, Hanukkah menorah lightings, Kwanzaa candle lightings NYC.
Click here for Staten Island holiday events, Christmas tree lightings, Hanukkah menorah lightings, Kwanzaa candle lightings NYC.
Enjoy.
Holiday Markets in All Five Boros of NYC 2021
Things aren't yet back to Normal, as Many Markets Decided to Opt Out
November 8, 2021 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Things To Do Events / Gotham Buzz NYC.
Weather. The temperature highs this week will be in the 60's and the temperature lows will be in the mid 40's to mid 50's. An inch of rain is expected Thursday night / Friday morning - gone by the time the work week is done. Humidity will range from 50% - 80% with Wednesday being the dryest. Winds will be 5 - 15 mph, with the strongest winds on Thursday evening / Friday day.
NYC Holiday Markets Forecast. I think they should be pretty good, as many markets are stocked with locally hand crafted goods. And god knows that folks have had plenty of time to get creative - if so inclined.
Here are links to some holiday markets planned around the five boroughs between now and the end of the year. We will finish updating these pages this week, in as much as we can. And then continue updating as more information becomes available as we navigate our way through the holiday season.
Staten Island Holiday Markets NYC
Enjoy.
NYC Gourmet Shops & Thanksgiving Restaurants in NYC
Shops and Restaurants for Preparing or Eating Thanksgiving Day Dinner in NYC, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island
November 16, 2021 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Holidays / Gotham Buzz NYC.
The origins of Thanksgiving Day in the United States began with one of America's first settlements, founded by the risk-taking, resource-pooling, hardworking, spiritual community of Pilgrims. The Pilgrims were early English settlers who arrived on American shores in the early 17th century [1600's]. They came here because they wanted a measure of freedom and self-determination that they were forbidden in Europe or what was called the 'old country'. The Pilgrims wanted to practice their faith, unencumbered, in a way that differed from the established Church of England. They pooled their money to obtain a ship, the Mayflower, to cross the Atlantic in mid September of 1620, landing on America's shores at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts on November 9, 1620.
The Pilgrims Receive Help from the Native People of a Strange Land
Per Wikipedia, the Piligrims survived a hard winter in 1621 with the help of the Wampanoag, an American Indian tribe. The Pilgrims were the immigrants, and the first Americans, the Indian natives, welcomed them. The Wampanaog taught the Pilgrims how to catch eels, and how to grow and harvest corn. Thus the Pilgrims ended 1621 with a good harvest which they celebrated and shared with their new friends, expressing their thanks to a higher power, aka God, for the success of their endeavors.
Thus it was that the first Thanksgiving celebration happened in America. There's some dispute to this account, which we'll address in a future post, near Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving Gourmet Food Stores & Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Day in NYC
This section is intended to provide a few suggestions for Thanksgiving Day food shopping and a number of restaurants that are open Thanksgiving Day in NYC. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list as there are many other fine NYC shops and restaurants, but for the moment this is what we have to offer.
For shops and restaurants the NYC COVID protocols remain in effect. Rsvp is recommended.
Click here for Thanksgiving Day gourmet specialty food shops, grocery stores and restaurants in Manhattan NYC.
Click here for Thanksgiving Day gourmet food specialty shops, grocery stores, restaurants and communal events in Queens NYC.
Click here for Thanksgiving Day restaurants, gourmet specialty food shops and grocery stores in Brooklyn NYC .
Click here for Thanksgiving Day restaurants, gourmet food shops and grocery stores in the Bronx NYC.
Click here for Thanksgiving Day restaurants, gourmet specialty food shops and grocery stores on Staten Island NYC.
Enjoy.
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NYC Street Fairs, News Updates & NYC Things To Do This Weekend
Entertainment Venues Reopen to 33% Capacity, Marijuana has been Legalized in NYS, CoVid Variants Comprise Over 70% New CoVid Cases, NYS Vaccine Eligibility Expanded to Include 30 Year Olds on up & Next Week 16 Year Olds on up, Assuming Vaccinations Continue at Their Current Pace, NYC Street Fairs May Return a bit Before or After the Beginning of Summer [GUESSTIMATE], Governor's Island to Open May 1st & Easter is Sunday, which is also the day Passover Ends
April 2, 2021 / NYC Neighborhoods / NYC Corona Virus / News Analysis & Opinion / Gotham Buzz NYC.
Weather. No rain is expected this weekend. The temperature highs will be in the low 40's on Friday, the mid 50's on Saturday and the low 60's on Sunday. The temperature lows will about 30 early Friday morning, rising to about 40 by Saturday and into the mid 40's by Sunday. Humidity is expected to remain low between 30% and 40% on Friday and Saturday, rising to between 40% and 50% by Sunday. Winds will be about 10 mph on Friday, dropping to 5 - 10 mph the rest of the weekend.
Restrictions on Entertainment Venues Loosened: Can Reopen to 33% Capacity
On Friday, April 2nd, 2021 entertainment venues in NYC can reopen to 33% capacity with limits of 100 people indoors and 200 people outdoors. There's concern the Governor has gone from an abundance of caution, to something quite different, as New York ranks third in the nation in new CoVid cases per capita [42/1000] according to an April 1, 2021 report in the NYT.
Governors Island Reopens May 1st w/ New Weekend Ferry Service to BK
Ferry service to Governors Island resumes May 1st from Manhattan in the Battery Maritime Building at 10 South Street which is at Whitehall Street, just north of the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. The island is open from 10 am to 6 pm weekdays and until 7 pm on weekends. This year there will also be two new Governors Island ferry stops in Brooklyn on the weekends and holidays - one at the Atlantic Bassin in Red Hook and the second at Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park.
Mary Jane / Marijuana: So is it, Hi, How are you? Or How Hi Are You?
NYS legalized marijuana on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Legalization of the substance is expected to bring in about $350 million in tax revenue. Marijuana will be taxed at a 13% rate, with 9% going to NYS, and 3% going to NYC and the last 1% going to counties. The money will be reinvested via community grants, education and drug rehabilitation programs with an eye toward helping those neighborhoods most in need. Those folks found guilty of low level marijuana offenses will have their police records purged vis a vis pot related arrests and convictions.
- CLICK here to read the rest of our report about new CoVid variants and expectations for the return of NYC street fairs.
NYC Farmers Markets 2021
Year Round Farmers Markets in NYC Continue & New Season Beckons
March 5, 2021 / NYC Neighborhoods / Things To Do NYC / Gotham Buzz NYC.
We're only a week away from Daylight Savings Time, when we all spring ahead into longer days, where the sun doesn't depart until around 7 pm.
The J&J vaccine was approved last Saturday, February 27, 2021 and already millions of doses have been distributed. While the vaccine was proven to be somewhere between 72% - 85% effective in providing total protection, it was found to be 100% effective against hospitalizations and deaths.
As the J&J vaccine was tested after the stronger mutating CoVid variants started appearing, the effectiveness percent vis a vis the other vaccines might not be apples to apples. And what's more is that it requires only a single dose, no highly sophisticated storage requirements, and can be quickly manufactured.
So things are looking up. Last year farmers markets were classified as essential businesses and while many remained open, they curtailed hours and some went on hiatus. The following is an update for the 2021 season of NYC farmers markets dates / times and selections. We'll update again as we near the opening of the first wave of seasonal markets in May. In the meantime here's a guide to farmers markets, including those that are open year round, by NYC borough. Remember masks, social distancing and hands washing are required. Enjoy.
Staten Island Farmers Markets NYC
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Holiday Markets & Holiday Tree Lightings NYC
While Still Dialed Down, There's More Going on than I Thought
November 27, 2020 / NYC Shopping / NYC Holiday Events & NYC Holiday Markets / Gotham Buzz NYC.
The following represent an update of the in-person holiday markets and / or the in-person holiday events that will be open this season in all five boroughs.
I found far more going on than I expected ... although admittedly quite a bit less than in prior years ... but that said, there were a few markets or events happening in each borough.
- CLICK here to read the rest of our report on NYC holiday markets in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx & Staten Island and holiday events NYC.
Many NYC Farmers Markets are Open
Farmers Markets are Essential Businesses, Provide Fresh Food & a Nice Outing
May 1, 2020 / NYC Shopping / NYC Neighborhoods / Gotham Buzz NYC.
Last weekend, on Saturday, I ventured out to enjoy the beautiful weather. I was not alone, as for the first time in a month and a half there were a number of people moving about the neighborhood.
I headed down to the farmers market to see what that looked like under the new normal. The food looked fresh, and there was plenty of it - although this was in mid morning.
The experience wasn't much different than what you'd expect. People wore face masks and there were lines created by social distancing. I was glad to see that farmers markets are essential businesses, as it augments a strained food supply chain, and provides folks with an opportunity to get out of the house in about as safe an environment as you can get. Here's a link to the dates, times, locations and selection of the 2020 Queens farmers markets, Staten Island Farmers Markets, Brooklyn Farmers Markets, Manhattan Farmers Markets and Bronx Farmers Markets.
I can't say people were smiling, not just because their faces were covered by masks, but there's been a gradual mood deterioration as we pass the second rent due date of the CoVid pandemic. Many people aren't standing in the farmers market social distancing line, but rather standing in food pantry lines. And for many, their economic fates are up for grabs, as we collectively try to navigate our way back to work. Many believe that economic activity is likely to be dampened by the CoVid pandemic for some time to come.
On the bright side, the Governor and the Mayor announced plans to begin daily sanitization of the MTA subway system beginning Wednesday, May 6th. The plan is to close the terminal stations of the subway lines from 1 am to 5 am, daily - providing shuttle buses to and from the last stop for passengers. And then, in those four wee hours of the morning, the NYPD and NYC social services will swoop into clear out the homeless population that has started making the subway their new home. It seems a good and humane plan.
Sanitizing the subway lines should go a long way toward preparing us to get back to the new normal by helping to dampen - if not eradicate - the transmission of the CoVid virus. This collaborative effort by both the Mayor and the Governor will help all of us to get back to work and play. So things are moving in the right direction, albeit not at a viral pace.
Have a nice weekend. The weather is going to be in the 70's during the day and 50's at night. And no rain, but some clouds.
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We moved this section to a new site - BrooklynBlvd.nyc
CLICK here for an up-to-date rendition of the Brooklyn Holiday Markets.
Brooklyn Holiday Markets, Christmas Shopping & Hanukkah Shopping
Brooklyn Christmas Shopping, Hanukkah Shopping & Brooklyn Holiday Markets
November 19, 2019 / Brooklyn Neighborhoods / Brooklyn Shopping / Brooklyn Blvd NYC.
Holiday outdoor markets have been on the rise in Brooklyn since the dawn of the 21st century. While some date back many years, some are relatively new.
Shopping at holiday markets alone, with friends, or with the kids gives folks a chance to enjoy the fruits of their labor and satisfy some of their yearnings and some of the yearnings of those we love.
Each of the Brooklyn holiday markets is a bit different, as some are organized by community groups and others by business organizations. Oftentimes one can find artisanal products that are made in NYC or NYS.
Brooklyn Holiday Markets Getting Underway
The Brooklyn holiday markets get underway shortly after Halloween, with some coming opening up about the time of Thanksgiving. The Brooklyn holiday markets are located in or near the following Brooklyn neighborhoods - Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Bushwick, Fort Greene, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Prospect Park, Park Slope, Sunset Park, Bayridge, Gowanus, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Dyker Heights. Many either include the serving of some beverage like hot chocolate and generally snacks like cookies - or are near food vendors and restaurants.
Click here to read our report about Brooklyn Holiday Markets & Shopping - Brooklyn NYC.
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We moved This Section to a new site - StatenBuzz.nyc
CLICK here - to go to the most current report about Staten Island Holiday Markets & Events SI
Staten Island Holiday Markets, Holiday Events, Christmas Shopping & Holiday Things To Do
Staten Island Christmas Tree Lightings, Staten Island Menorah Lightings Hanukkah, Staten Island Holiday Markets & Holiday Shopping
Updated December 4, 2018 / November 24, 2018 / Staten Island Neighborhoods / NYC Shopping / Staten Island Buzz NYC.
The holidays are a special time of the year. In ancient times there were harvest celebrations to give thanks and enjoy the bounty after a long growing and harvesting season aka a year of work.
THESE HOLIDAY EVENT & HOLIDAY MARKETS ARE ORGANIZED
1. BY NEIGHBORHOODS OF STATEN ISLAND
2. And BY DATE
Watch carefully as some locales have multiple dates, and all dates for a given locale are shown at the time the venue is first listed.
And there were also winter solstice celebrations to commemorate the end of the darkening of the skies. Some cultures celebrate with a festival of lights, and in Christian cultures the holidays are marked with holiday lightings including tree lightings and candle lightings - as well as the celebration of giving through the most well known and most generous man in the world - Santa Claus.
Meanwhile, back on Staten Island we celebrate in a number of ways, which carry on some of these ancient traditions. The following provides the dates / times / locales and some details regarding many of the various Staten Island holiday celebrations and Staten Island holiday markets and shopping for folks to enjoy between now and the end of the year.
Click here to read our report about Staten Island Holiday Events / Holiday Things To Do & Staten Island Holiday Markets & Shopping.
Brooklyn Farmers Markets & Street Fairs
Also Staten Island Farmers Markets & Street Fairs
April 24, 2018 / Staten Island Farmers Markets / Brooklyn Farmers Markets / Brooklyn Street Fairs / Staten Island St Fairs / Gotham Buzz NYC.
A few Staten Island & Brooklyn farmers markets might be open year round, but most of them are seasonal. Some of the seasonal Staten Island & Brooklyn farmers markets will begin opening in the Spring of 2018, with the rest of them opening no later than the first couple of weeks in July of 2018. Click here to view the schedules of many of the farmers markets in Brooklyn and here for the farmers markets in Staten Island.
Staten Island & Brooklyn street fairs, on the other hand, are entirely seasonal. Some of them hit the streets as early as April 2018. The number of Staten Island & Brooklyn street fairs rises during the late spring and continues through the dog days of summer [July / August], including into the late part of the Fall. By the end of November the Staten Island & Brooklyn street fairs go on hiatus, with a few returning as early as April. Click here to view a full schedule of the Brooklyn street fairs and also Staten Island street fairs.
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Food & Wine - Made In New York
Crain's & Taste NY Food & Beverage Trade Show
October / Specialty Food & Wine NYC / NYC Neighborhoods / Gotham Buzz NYC.
I had an opportunity to visit the Made In New York Food & Beverage Trade Show at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Chelsea last Thursday.
When I arrived, a bit late in the day, the 50 - 100 exhibitors were in full motion as I made my way along the corridors taking photos and sampling local delectables. There were pastries, candies, pasta, sauces, cheeses, wines, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages filling the aisles and all - in tandem with the theme were - Made In New York.
Before I became fully engrossed in the exhibits and exhibitors I made my way down to the KM Amphitheater where I listened to a panel discussions about 'How To Get NYS Products Into NYC Restaurants, Hotels and Bars' which was followed by a presentation about 'Wine, Beer & Spirits'.
The panel discussion featured a represenative of the Standard, Highline, Jimmy of Jimmy's No. 43, a representative of GrowNYC, a representative 
from BRGuest Hospitality a restaurant group, and the NYC Hospitality Alliance. They talked about passion for the product and collaborative relationships, but generally they seemed to think that the environment is favorably disposed to the inclusion of locally produced foods, wines and other beverages.
The Wine, Beer & Spirits presentation was given by Jim Trezise, President of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation. He gave a presentation full of facts and figures about the evolution of the vineyards and wine industry in New York State. We'll post more about both of these presentations at a later date.
I'll also delve a bit more into the content of the exhibits and samples at a later date, and will post a full slide show showing the exhibits and exhibitors.
Farmers Markets & Street Fairs in Manhattan
April 4, 2016 / NYC Farmers Markets / NYC Street Fairs / Gotham Buzz NYC.
Many Manhattan farmers markets are open year round, but there are also a number of them that are seasonal. Some of the seasonal Manhattan farmers markets begin opening in the Spring, with the rest of them opening no later than the first couple of weeks in July. Click here to view the schedules of many of the farmers markets in NYC.
Manhattan street fairs are entirely seasonal, with some of them hitting the streets as early as March. Manhattan street fairs rise markedly during the spring and lighten up during the dog days of summer [July / August], returning in the fall. By the end of November the Manhattan street fairs go on hiatus, with a few returning as early as March, increasing in April and coming enmasses begining in May. Click here to view a full schedule of NYC street fairs.
Bastille Day On The Upper East Side NYC
Alliance Francais Hosts Three Block Street Party
July 14, 2014 / East Side Neighborhood NYC / NYC Restaurants / Gotham Buzz NYC.
I was feeling very revolutionary Sunday afternoon as I made my way to the Bastille Day Street Festival hosted by the Alliance Francais on 60th Street. They were hosting a [long] three block party that stretched from Central Park souteast at Fifth Avenue across Madison and Park to Lexington Avenue from 12 noon until 5 pm.
It had rained a bit that day which probably worked to the street farers' advantage as, while it was crowded, it was also very easy to move around and not so hot that one was 'glistening' throughout the afternoon.
The 60th Street blocks contain a number of fancy establishments, including the quiet, but well known, Metropolitan Club of which J. Pierrepont Morgan was once a member.
The vendors offered a variety of food, beverages, travel opportunities to places like Monaco and the French islands of Martinique, along with wine, cheeses, spices, some clothing, soaps, perfumes, jewelry and art. I think one of the things that separates this street fair from many others is that it generally stuck to the theme of all things French and hence had the effect of leaving me walk away with a little bit of feeling like I had taken a time-warp trip to Paris and back in the course of the afternoon.
Au revoir mon ami. Je voudrais voir vous bientot. A slide show with photos will follow later this summer.
Great Wine Stores in NYC - Morton Williams Wine & Spirits near Gramercy Park
For Food & Wine, Morton Williams Supermarkets and Morton Williams Wine & Spirits provide a modern organic, natural and standard food shopping experience and the wine store provides a nice selection of wines from around the world. They're located at 313 East 23rd Street.
NYC Shops & Shopping in NYC
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