Local Labels, Ltd.

Rainy Day brings Himane to WNYC

2010-09-27T18:50:00.000-07:00

We got a call this morning from a WNYC reporter who had seen Brooklyn designer Catherine Charlot's umbrella bags at our kiosk in Grand Central last summer. The early morning rainstorm had led reporter, Ailsa Chang, to investigate what happened to all those wind torn umbrellas found crumpled in trash cans. I too was thinking of Catherine this morning as I landed at Penn Station during my morning commute. The "umbrella men" had materialized once again. I could hear the voices before I even exited the station. I walked behind one seller who walked up and down the whole taxi cue chanting "umbrella, umbrella, umbrella, pause...and...repeat". Some people stood hiding under their New York Times, others under a plastic bag, but the majority of people clutched their $5 cheap umbrella- bound to break in a few uses. The sellers quickly passed their "disposable products" to those unprepared for the day's skies.

Catherine's designs have caused me to never look at an umbrella the same. Each one is a potential bag or dress, a design and a metaphor. When I see people carrying a particular interesting design, I think about how she would turn it into a clutch or duffel bag. Just last month I found a rainbow leopard umbrella print umbrella discard on the street which I took home and sent to Catherine's company Himane. This upcycling of abandoned umbrellas by Catherine is an amazing example of using abandoned resources for useful (and in her case very fashionable) products.

WNYC reports that one week Catherine collected 237 umbrellas in one week!
Check out the full story here!

Independence Day: Pledge to Buy Local

2010-07-04T09:04:00.000-07:00

I am reminded every Fourth of July of my complex relationship with the American flag. In my mind I see the stars replaced with the Adbusters corporate flag hanging from every house and store. And I get discouraged that most people buy flags indiscriminately at their area corporate store made by machines or people far overseas.

But a good friend reminded me today about independence and forced me to think more openly about the flag. So rather than thinking about the meta-narrative of corporate rule and world dominance, I am going to dedicate my flag to my neighbors, my block, my town, my city and everyone who is working hard to make our country a truly better place.

I encourage all to become label checkers and to think about where you are buying your products. Go the extra block to that store that had been in business for years or the new local company that's just starting out whose headquarters are that store. Remember that these small business often reinvest their money into other local business and area employees. That they are struggling to stay in business. If they don' t have what you want they can often order the same product you need in a few days. Even if it is just one product you pledge to buy locally, your efforts will make a difference. For me the celebration of independence starts with cutting the ties of dependency. This Fourth of July- Buy Local!

Sites to check out:
Made in NYC
Business Alliance for Local Living Economies
Foodroutes
Greenmarket
Made in Usa

Farmers Market Tour for Food Manufacturers

2010-06-16T19:34:00.000-07:00

While our demand for fresh and local ingredients continues to grow, many food manufacturers still rely on the same trade networks that truck food across great distances. To expand their market share and increase sales, they will need to reassess their their existing relationships and work toward forging connections with local growers. And as the cost of oil is predicted to rise again, these new connections will also, in the long term, potentially save them considerable amounts of money.

To strengthen this exchange between growers and producers, NYRIN and NY State Ag & Markets have launched the Farm to Factory pilot project. This Saturday they will be hosting a farmer's market tour for food manufacturers, providing them with personal introductions to growers seeking to sell wholesale produce to NYC companies. All NYC food companies are welcome.

Farmers Market Buyers Tour for Food Manufacturers
Date: Saturday June 19, 2010
Time: Anytime from 8:30 – 11:30 am
Location: Ft. Greene Park Greenmarket, Brooklyn

RSVP to:
Christina Grace, Manager, Urban Food Systems Program
NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
Phone: 718.722.2834
Email: christina.grace@agmkt.state.ny.us

Interested in meeting more farmers? NYIRN is planning another buyers tour in July to the Wholesale Greenmarket at Hunts Point, Bronx. For more information, contact Tzipora Lubarr at tlubarr@nyirn.org or 212-404-6990 x 16.

Undeniably NYC: Ernest Alexander Men's Accessories

2010-06-11T09:06:00.000-07:00

Ernest Alexander Sabine's men's accessory label, Ernest Alexander, is based in the garment district in Manhattan. Featuring a beautiful line of messenger and travel bags as well as ties and belts, Ernest made a deliberate decision to support local manufactures and keep's his office one block away from the production line. This allows him to ensure the high quality product he demands as well as employ people within in his community. Hailing from a family of seamstress who came to NYC following World War II, Ernest honors the work of his grandmother and great-grandmother. His beautiful bags are made to durable, classic and made to last. They are available in NYC at Paul Smith, International Playground and Desiron.

Check out this video of Ernest and see images of his production:

*TIP: Interested in producing your product in the Garment District- Contact Garnmet Industry Development Corporation (GIDC) for more information.

Nunu's Chocolate Dreams Come True

2010-05-26T18:31:00.000-07:00

When I first met Justine Pringle of Nunu Chocolates she was working in midtown with dreams of becoming a full-time chocolate maker. We would wait in the lobby of her building as she snuck downstairs with a bag of delicately handcrafted caramels for our chocolate box. I remember the day she told me she was quitting it all to focus on her salt-topped treats. She took a big leap and was instantly recognized by national food publications from Gourmet to The New York Times.

Now you can watch her chocolate making in action at the Nunu Chocolates Retail Store & Cafe. The space serves as a chocolate factory for Justine and the open layout allows customers to watch her technique. The store is located at 529 Atlantic Ave between 3rd and 4th Aves in Brooklyn. They are open everyday from 9am-9pm. Just imagine, stopping in on the way to work and grabbing some Espresso Brandy ganache made with Crop to Cup espresso beans and a coffee to go. Swing by mid-day for tea time accompanied with some Earl Grey Ganache. You'll be sure to catch me there some evening soon sipping red wine and eating Mezcal Chili chocolates.

Local Labels is Back & Profiling!

2010-05-18T16:51:00.000-07:00

So, we took a little hiatus....but we are back!

Since we last checked in there have been so many new and exciting products being made in NYC from Roni-Sue's Chile Lover's collection to new lamps by perch!

While we have shifted our focus a bit, we are still committed to letting you know where and how to buy local in the five boroughs.

We will be profiling business within the city and products that are made here. Stay tuned for upcoming interviews, history lessons, businesses you didn't really where even based in NYC and how to
buy local from your personal food choices to products for your home. Let us know any new companies or have a product to profile!

*Long Island City Pasta Factory, 1943
Marjory Collins/Library of Congress

Local Labels at Lyceum Market in Brooklyn- Last Weekend Shopping!

2009-12-15T12:30:00.000-08:00

Vist us this Saturday and Sunday, December 19 and 20 at
the Brooklyn Lyceum Craft Market.

We'll be carrying all your favorite made in NYC products.
RE-SURFACE Lamps, Fresh Art monkeys, MJ's Herbals, dinner-ware coasters,
bath teas, journals and more...
All at "last minute shopping sale prices"!

TIME:
11AM - 7PM

LOCATION:
BROOKLYN LYCEUM + CAFE
227 4th Avenue, between Union and President Streets, Park Slope

TRAIN:
R train at Union St, in Park Slope. We are right atop the station.
15 minutes from Lower Manhattan!

Maptotes Goes Live!

2009-11-17T09:45:00.000-08:00

One of our most popular items at Grand Central this summer were tote bags featuring great borough designs made by Maptotes. Maptotes spawned from founders Rachel Rheingold (a fashion stylist) and Michael Berick (a cartographer) desire to create something together. Today they launched their new website!

Their line has expand beyond totes to include mapnotes, winetotes & zip pouches- All featuring great map designs. The company even does custom designs for events and weddings.

Visit them at Maptotes and order your favorite city directly. Even though they represent the world they are made locally in NYC!

Skinny Skinny Opens Store In Williamsburg!

2009-11-13T04:45:00.000-08:00

Miss those great Skinny Skinny soaps we had out our kiosk this summer? With beautiful packaging and scents like Lemon Blood Orange and Basil Mint, Skinny Skinny quickly became one of our favorite and most popular vendors.

Skinny Skinny has opened a flagship store in Brooklyn, NY. The grand opening is November 13, 2009 aka today! They have used reclaimed/salvaged wood for all of the furnishings and still using wind-power. The address is 129 Roebling Street #B, Brooklyn.

I think I am going to pop by for some Lavender Black Pepper soap stocking stuffers.

NY Small Scale Food Processors Assoc. Classes

2009-11-10T17:28:00.000-08:00

For those of you interested in pricing your food product or artisan baking, check out 2 great workshops next week put on by the NY Small Scale Food Processors Association. This state wide organization was formed after a need was identified to help stop the demise of New York State family farms. It was decided that creating value added products from farm produce was the best way to keep businesses and grow it on the farms.

The workshops include "Pricing Your Product" and "Artisan Baking" and will be held Nov. 17 from 7-9 p.m. in Dutchess County at the Farm and Home Center, 2715 Rt. 2715 Rt. 44, Millbrook, N.Y. The workshops are preceded by a local foods supper.

Contact for information: Miriam Haas, mhaas@communitymarkets.biz or call 914-923-4837.

"Artisan Baking" will be presented by Janet Picarelli of Janet's Quality Baked Goods. Janet started her business in 2004 in a shared used kitchen. She developed unique forms of production and is now selling at six farmers markets and other venues. Her vast training and internships include the French Culinary Institute, the Culinary Institute of America, King Arthur Baking School, Baking Artisan Center and Collegeville Artisan Baking among others.

Or participants can select "Pricing Your Product," which will be presented by David Rudofsky of Rudofsky Associates and will provide training in winning financial and strategic solutions to new and growing businesses. Pricing your product is significant in planning for growth. David has worked with many food businesses. While President of this business for 20 years offering finance and strategic planning, he also teaches Managerial Accounting and Finance at Polytecnic University.*

To register, send a check for $35 (includes supper) to "NYSSFPA, PO Box 113, Stuyvesant Falls, NY 12174" and MARK "Artisan Baking" or "Pricing Product" on the check.

If you can't make this check out their Annual Conference in Saratoga, January 22-24, 2010 in conjunction with the NOFA-NY’s “Organic Farming and Gardening Conference”.

Endorse Local Labels for Shine A Light $100K Competition!

2009-08-30T15:28:00.000-07:00

Local Labels has been nominated in the Shine A Light Competition to win $100,000 in grant and marketing support. We only need 50 endorsements to move to the judging phase so if you like the work we do, please endorse us! Thank you and La Vida Local!

Pigeon Feathers Take Flight as NYC Souvenir

2009-08-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for something out-of-the-ordinary as a memento of your time spent in our fair city, something that goes beyond t-shirts and shot glasses, then step right up - we've got just the gift for you! We are selling genuine pigeon feathers - plucked from the streets of New York and sold as one-of-a-kind NYC souvenirs!

The feathers as NYC souvenir are the brainchild of Alyssa Zygmunt who works as a fashion designer by day, collector and crafter by night. She has collected feathers from all over the city, cleaned and then sealed them in test tubes with an identification tag listing the species and precise location of where the feather was found. The reaction to our feathers has certainly been visceral - people are either left speechless or think they're the greatest idea and can't wait to give them to their friends and family. We happen to be of the latter and want to share with everyone we know!

Not So Cheap After All

2009-07-28T17:32:00.000-07:00

Listening to The Leonard Lopate Show on WNYC last week, I caught the tail-end of a fascinating interview with author Ellen Ruppel Shell, who wrote the book, Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture.

Shell investigates how our demand for cheap goods has propelled the forces of globalization and its subsequent fall-out, including outsourcing and planned obsolescence, undermining the stability of our economy.

I can't wait to tackle, but if you've already read, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Your other source for all things made in NYC

2009-07-20T17:42:00.000-07:00

If you're not already familiar with one of our favorite non-profits, the New York Industrial Retention Network (NYIRN), then let us introduce you!

NYIRN provides business services for manufacturers, conducts research on the industrial sector, and organizes advocacy for NYC manufacturers.

Like NYIRN, we think manufacturing is important to New York City. Manufacturing plays a critical role for the City's diverse job force. On average, blue collar jobs pay more than a retail or restaurant job and is more likely to be unionized and provide benefits.

One of NYIRN's services is Made in NYC, a free online business-to-business directory of products made in New York. Manufacturers can register their companies and buyers can search for locally-made products, including green products. Made in NYC also provides product sourcing assistance.

Local Labels frequently uses their online service in findingly locally made products to feature on our website and sourcing jobs locally such as printing and packaging services.

Give us your tired, your used. Your worn and broken umbrellas.

2009-07-12T16:35:00.000-07:00

Yearning to be recycled. The especially rainy beginning to this summer got us thinking about umbrellas - and how there's so many of them that wind up in the city's streets and trash cans after a gusty rainstorm. So we were thrilled to team up with Himane, a fashion and design company founded by Haiti native Catherine Edouard-Charlot to collect broken umbrellas from water-logged commuters at our Grand Central kiosk.

Catherine refashions the umbrellas into creatively designed and waterproof bags and totes which we then sell at $15 for a tote, which when folded resembles an umbrella and $45 for a multipurpose and portable folding bag. We also offer custom bags from the Himane collection. So let it rain!

Grand Central Flyer

2009-07-06T09:57:00.001-07:00

Any purchase of $150 and you get a free gift!
Come visit us!

Local Labels Goes Live in Grand Central

2009-07-01T19:54:00.000-07:00

We are moved in!!

Jean, Jacob and I unpacked and set up the booth this morning in time for the afternoon rush. The products look great together and automatically attracted new customers. Our first sale of the day was a Queens Maptote followed by Jenulence Rose Petal Bath Salts and a Campbell Raw Press journal.

We will be featuring a new product of the week on the blog- so stayed tuned for new made in NYC gift profiles.

Thanks to those who have given us support along the way. Your encouragement has been so appreciated.

Come visit us!

p.s. there's great coffee across from us

Only 2 More Days to Go!

2009-06-29T15:33:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-06-22T18:18:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-06-17T19:42:00.000-07:00

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!

website launch

2007-11-17T20:07:00.000-08:00

Local Labels' new website has launched! We are thrilled to feature specialty foods and gifts made in New York City. Visit us at http://www.locallabels.com/ and explore products made within the five boroughs from Jackson Heights to the Bronx. More postings coming soon!