Daniel Nardicio’s First Ever Small Gay Business Gift-Giving Guide: Part 2!
Posted by Jeff
“Think Big” and “Go Big Or Go Home” are usually mottos I live by, but this year we’re doing something different at DN Headquarters and thinking small. There are many great small businesses out there, and many of them owned by our friends and family in the gay community. We’re compiling a list of 20 small businesses that are gay owned and operated, for a Holiday gift-giving guide, every week we’ll be highlighting five. Last week Daniel did the first five, and this week it’s my turn!
6.) CB I Hate Perfume (http://www.cbihateperfume.com)
I Hate Perfume is a boutique fragrance shop owned by perfumer Christopher Brosius. His elegant take on fragrance makes a perfect and unique gift. My personal favorite is 2nd Cumming, by Alan Cumming, which smells like a smoky walk through the woods. The gallery is located at 93 Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg.
7.) Level Naturals (http://www.levelnaturals.com)
Level Naturals is a fairly new company based out of L.A. with some great soaps and bath products, perfect for your sister or your mister. I love the “Active Soap“, which is loaded with activated charcoal, tea tree oil, chamomile extract and lavender. They even have a selection of Gift Sets for the giftgivingly challenged!
8.) Big Booty Bread Co. (http://bigbootybreadco.com/Big_Booty/Bakery.html)
Desserts! One of the best named bakeries ever, Big Booty is located in the heart of Chelsea (on 23rd right across from the Chelsea Clearview Cinemas), they have all kinds of desserts and cakes, great for Holiday parties, hostess gifts (my mom taught me to always bring a gift for the hostess), and they also take orders! Don’t forget to check out their selection of apparel… I know I would love a “I Heart Big Booty” t-shirt in my stocking!
9.) Graceland Brooklyn (https://www.facebook.com/gracelandbrooklyn)
If you live in NYC, why not try a gift certificate to a great salon/tattoo parlor in Brooklyn? Graceland is a great little shop for both great hair and great tattoos, two things that many people deny themselves as a luxury expense. Nothing beats the gift of luxury.
10.) Empire Market (http://www.empire-market.com/)
14-26 College Point Blvd. College Point, NY
One of my favorites on this list, Empire Market. Listed by Time Out New York as one of the 100 reasons to be glad you live in NYC, Empire Market is a true mom and pop butcher shop in Queens. Its been around for over 90 years and is now run by the third generation of Lepines (the amazing Johnny The Butcher and his brother). I highly recommend a trip to Empire to see Johnny and try his sausage!
This is a pic of me in Empire Market:
(no really… that’s me in the Empire Market a few years ago. The things I do for attention Daniel!)
Happy Shopping! Stay tuned for more businesses next week!