Undeniably NYC: Ernest Alexander Men's Accessories

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

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

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”.