Only 2 More Days to Go!

I think I may have enjoyed the last weekend of my summer before we set up shop! Only 2 more days until Local Labels is in the glorious Grand Central Terminal. No matter how many times I walk through I am always blown away by the grandeur.

Today we received products from Moonching Wu who creates blankets and accessories from salvaged cashmere and leather. We also swung by the Perch studios located in Redhook. What a great location, beautiful light and full of wonderful pieces. I am really excited about the O bowl! Such a great organic shape and good for everything from candies to jewelry.

Still on the hunt for more Bronx products so if anyone has some ideas, we are open to suggestions!

The brief moments I have stepped away from my computer this week have been to collect products from our vendors for our new kiosk opening in Grand Central. These product pick-ups have been highlight of my days. To be able to glance into a workshop and see how things are made is one of the biggest benefits of working with local vendors. Production so often takes place far away and it is rare that a retailer actually gets to see first hand the products being created.

This week I visited Donna Brady of RE-SURFACE. Her studio is in the oldest manufacturing building in Brooklyn. Located near the Navy Yard, this building is a complex system of elevator shafts, long hallways and hundreds of doors. Donna's studio although small is a perfect example of functional space and ordered systems. One can gather the process within a glance from her drafting table to the finished hanging lights.

Today my only break was to MJ's Herbals- Welcomed with a warm cup of mate, I soaked in the wonderful scents of herbs throughout the space. MJ and I chatted about her process from printing brochures to display options. I could have stayed all day brainstorming the best ways to educate our customers about her salves. Sharing information is an important part of what we do and Local Labels has a growing list of resources for our vendors.

A lot more pick-ups this week. Excited to see some new work spaces!

Tell us about products you have seen being made.

It's Official! Local Labels is Blogging!

If you found us here, it’s probably because you’re like us: you care about buying local, eating local and creating a local economy in New York City. Our new blog will feature our great vendors, new products from our website, musings on local philosophies, links to great books, interviews and more! Please add your comments, let us know what you what to hear about, suggest new products for us and join the Local Labels community.

Viva la Local!