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gift guide

Valentine's Day Gifts From Local Shops Without Storefronts

Amber Ceffalio

Amber Ceffalio

— 2 min read
Valentine's Day Gifts From Local Shops Without Storefronts
V-Day Giftwrap by sia designs

Our neighborhood is full of tiny, specialized, storefront-less entrepreneurs; places to buy unique Valentine’s Day gifts for your special someone.

Health and Fitness–Did your loved one make a New Years resolution they need help keeping?

  • Liz Walker—Is your loved one expecting? Just had a baby? Liz works with pre- and post-natal women.
  • Rising Fitness–Jean-Claude offers nutritional advice including healthy 30 minute meals. He’s designed 8-week programs for improving health and fitness.

Culinary

  • Angela Sbano—One of the Cortelyou Moms founders and expert baker sells cake pops which are fabulous for holiday parties, creative gifts, and even birthday parties. Solid colors are $95 for 3 dozen. Fancy pops are $135 for 3 dozen.
  • Auria’s Malaysian Kitchen—In addition to selling curry tins at the Brooklyn ARTery, Auria also teaches cooking classes.
  • Mukti’s Kitchen—Nearby Kensington neighbor Mukti Banerjee offers Indian cooking classes, and has a special couples event for Valentine’s Day. She also offers gift certificates for future classes.
  • Roro Cakes—Local baker Rosalind De Innocentiis offers a range of baked goods for any occasion.

Knitted Goods

  • Marina Bekkerman—In addition to starting a new career as an ESL teacher, Marina continues her Etsy knittery shop. I love the fingerless gloves and the soft, orange neck scarf I bought from her (a gift to myself) last year.

Paper Products

  • sia designs—Another Cortelyou Mom and paper crafter, Sofia Whiddon, sells 2013 calendars and home décor fabrics (including the printed reusable gift wrap pictured above) through her Etsy shop.

Music and Art

  • Amanda Kavanagh—Got a blank wall? One of this local painter’s pieces could be the solution.
  • Photos of the family—Neighbor RJ Lewis offers portraits to document any stage of your family’s life.
  • Photos of the pets—Local photographer Beja B can handle portraits of your furry “kids.”
  • We have a list of musicians, illustrators, photographers, and other artists on our website. Many of them offer their work (an album for the soundtrack to your home-cooked meal) and many teach their craft (piano lessons for someone looking to learn, or rediscover, their instrument).

I’m sure there are other local entrepreneurs with wares for sale. Do you have a favorite person or place to shop? If so, please share.

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