The kitchen is the one place we should all value functionality—but what if we put more of the fun in function? From storing pasta and cleaning up a spill to opening the oven and everything in between, interacting with your kitchen doesn’t have to be dull.
I am addicted to Cute Little Shops ™ as i'm sure many of us are. Sometimes I wonder though if I'm just shopping at somewhere that is actually Big Business masquerading as Cute Little Shop thru smart branding and such. Do you have any thoughts on this? Is it even possible to make sure the Cute Little Shops we frequent are ACTUALLY tended by mindful folks? Is it futile to try? Does this make sense?
YES! This reminds me of the shoppy shop ordeal in that NY Mag (?) article... I do absolutely have thoughts on this. The first is, I don't like being tricked. I recently went into one of those Cute Little Shops in Hudson and almost bought these small incense things at the front desk, when I picked them up the guy started talking about how they're rare and you can't them anywhere--I put them down because that was a red flag, googled it and saw I could get a bulk order delivered tomorrow off Amazon. I hate that!!! Slightly different than what you're talking about but similar phenomenon. That said, in the case of big brands designed to look mom and popish selling at small shops--I'm kind of OK with that ***IF*** they're good quality. I think said article mentioned Graza olive oil of which I am a biiiiiig fan, I kind of like that I can go into my local shoppy shop and grab it!! Something like that will stop me from heading to Big Department Store because I know I can get a similar thing at a local business. I think as long as the places I'm shopping at aren't trying to create lore around Big Business, I'm ok with it. (i.e. don't try to tell me a story about the nonna's making Graza olive oil when you and I both know it's made by a guy who studied business management in Binghamton NY). Does that make sense?
+ To your question on figuring out if places are tended by mindful folks, I honestly have no shame standing and googling the stuff I'm looking at to learn more about what they're selling, average price points, where else they're sold etc--even in the case of vintage/secondhand, look up brands, price points for similar items (I guess vintage/secondhand doesn't really fall under this umbrella but still stand). AND! If you have a talkative shopkeeper, which I love, engage! I think it's clear when folks are passionate about what they're doing and selling and I'll always entertain that--I like to trust folks with a well of knowledge about their *thing*. I think it also becomes clear when they're bullshitting, like that guy up in Hudson, but it's not always easy to tell. I think your gut is usually right about those places.
Yesss totally totally. I like that I can go pick up Graza at some random shoppy shop in Bushwick or downtown Manhattan, totally agree that if I can get it from a small biz I'm ok w that. I def start to spiral when i'm like omg this cute brand is kinda a huge corporation, am I the biggest sucker of them all, we're doomed, etc! When it's maybe not always that dramatic.
And for sure a lot of info can be gleaned by chatting w the shopkeeper! I remember going into a shop in Livingston Manor upstate and the white woman there was giving terrrrrible vibes and I am willing to bet the things she stocked in that store were just scammy overpriced BS. I think chatting and feel that sense of trust with the owner / whoever is working there is key!
Wait philosophical question...
I am addicted to Cute Little Shops ™ as i'm sure many of us are. Sometimes I wonder though if I'm just shopping at somewhere that is actually Big Business masquerading as Cute Little Shop thru smart branding and such. Do you have any thoughts on this? Is it even possible to make sure the Cute Little Shops we frequent are ACTUALLY tended by mindful folks? Is it futile to try? Does this make sense?
YES! This reminds me of the shoppy shop ordeal in that NY Mag (?) article... I do absolutely have thoughts on this. The first is, I don't like being tricked. I recently went into one of those Cute Little Shops in Hudson and almost bought these small incense things at the front desk, when I picked them up the guy started talking about how they're rare and you can't them anywhere--I put them down because that was a red flag, googled it and saw I could get a bulk order delivered tomorrow off Amazon. I hate that!!! Slightly different than what you're talking about but similar phenomenon. That said, in the case of big brands designed to look mom and popish selling at small shops--I'm kind of OK with that ***IF*** they're good quality. I think said article mentioned Graza olive oil of which I am a biiiiiig fan, I kind of like that I can go into my local shoppy shop and grab it!! Something like that will stop me from heading to Big Department Store because I know I can get a similar thing at a local business. I think as long as the places I'm shopping at aren't trying to create lore around Big Business, I'm ok with it. (i.e. don't try to tell me a story about the nonna's making Graza olive oil when you and I both know it's made by a guy who studied business management in Binghamton NY). Does that make sense?
+ To your question on figuring out if places are tended by mindful folks, I honestly have no shame standing and googling the stuff I'm looking at to learn more about what they're selling, average price points, where else they're sold etc--even in the case of vintage/secondhand, look up brands, price points for similar items (I guess vintage/secondhand doesn't really fall under this umbrella but still stand). AND! If you have a talkative shopkeeper, which I love, engage! I think it's clear when folks are passionate about what they're doing and selling and I'll always entertain that--I like to trust folks with a well of knowledge about their *thing*. I think it also becomes clear when they're bullshitting, like that guy up in Hudson, but it's not always easy to tell. I think your gut is usually right about those places.
Yesss totally totally. I like that I can go pick up Graza at some random shoppy shop in Bushwick or downtown Manhattan, totally agree that if I can get it from a small biz I'm ok w that. I def start to spiral when i'm like omg this cute brand is kinda a huge corporation, am I the biggest sucker of them all, we're doomed, etc! When it's maybe not always that dramatic.
And for sure a lot of info can be gleaned by chatting w the shopkeeper! I remember going into a shop in Livingston Manor upstate and the white woman there was giving terrrrrible vibes and I am willing to bet the things she stocked in that store were just scammy overpriced BS. I think chatting and feel that sense of trust with the owner / whoever is working there is key!
YASSS STARTER KIT!!
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