Awesome New Gift Store Opening In PLG

Liena Zagare -

PROSPECT LEFFERTS GARDENS – is about to get even more awesome, and just in time for the holidays.

This Sunday at noon, neighbor Vanessa Raptopoulos will be opening the doors of her brand new gift store called Awesome at 617 Flatbush Avenue (between Fenimore and Rutland).

Awesome offers hundreds of smart, funny, well-curated, culturally aware, local products, with a price point from $2.50 to $100 with many gifts in the $15-40 range. You will no longer need to leave the neighborhood to find that perfect last-minute gift (or deal with the post office to retrieve packages!).

“When I moved to PLG, I realized immediately that Flatbush Ave was the perfect place for the store I’ve always wanted to open — both because of its clear need for a gift shop, and because it’s such a unique neighborhood,” Vanessa says.

Awesome is a family-owned independent gift store, the family lives right here, and Vanessa’s one-year-old daughter Athena is expected to be a regular. “We want to be a service to the neighborhood, but also a destination for anyone living in Brooklyn or across the city”, Vanessa adds, hoping that her 15 years of experience as a buyer for UncommonGoods and a jewelry designer will help make the business a success.

In case you are in the market, here are her suggestions for some gift ideas:

  • Hip hop and pop culture enthusiasts can buy a Kendrick Lamar candle, a Rihanna magnet, a Beyonce Slay change holder or a Prince record clock.
  • Woke feminists can find Michelle Obama pouches, Ruth Bader Ginsburg socks, The Future is Female keychains and Chirlane de Blasio cards.
  • We have scarves, wallets and weekend bags for women. Money clips and socks for men. Well-designed barware, pillows, and other gifts for your home.

Shopping locally and supporting the community businesses builds stronger communities, and we hope you will stop by and do your holiday shopping in the neighborhood. We wish Awesome many awesome years ahead serving our community and beyond!

Awesome is located at 617 Flatbush Avenue, equidistant between Prospect Park and Parkside Q stops, B41 stops right by the store. Telephone: (718)928-7484

Store hours are going to be as follows:

Monday – Friday: 11am-8pm
Saturday: 10am-8pm
Sunday: 12noon-6pm