Brooklyn is poised to be a major destination for Small Business Saturday, with more than 180,000 independent shops and makers operating across the borough, according to NYCEDC. A new report from Public Advocate Jumaane Williams underscores how critical this moment is, stressing the importance of supporting minority and woman-owned small businesses across the city.
From specialty retailers to longtime neighborhood staples, local businesses are preparing for a surge of holiday shoppers. To help readers navigate it, Brooklyn Paper has assembled a curated list of standout spots worth supporting across the borough.
The Bookmark Shoppe, Bay Ridge
This woman-owned indie bookstore on Third Avenue features expansive sections for children, romantasy, young adult and more. The shop values customer experiences and loyalty, and hosts multiple book signings and readings each month.
For Small Business Saturday, The Bookmark Shoppe will offer 20% off books, a free tote bag with purchases of $75 or more and author appearances.
RIDER Gifts, Park Slope
Another woman-owned business, RIDER offers unique gifts and knick-knacks. Owner Alma Lacour prioritizes locally-owned, woman, minority and LGBTQ+ made products. RIDER has two locations in Park Slope — one on 8th Avenue and one on 5th Avenue.
For “warm, whimsical and deeply intentional” products, RIDER is a place where all goods tell a unique story.
Kente Cones, East New York
After years of pop-up business, owner Ashley Marrero opened Kente Cones’ first brick-and-mortar location in June. Its ice cream and treats tell the story of Afro-American history, each telling a story and educating Brooklynites. Outside of the shop, Marrero visits schools to provide concrete examples of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) to the next generation of scoopers.
Flavors like “Granny’s Favorite,” “Shirley Salted Caramel” and “Mansa Musa’s Golden Scoop” are just a few ways Marrero helps connect with the community.
Bernie’s Bait and Tackle, Sheepshead Bay
This multi-generation-owned tackle business has been in Sheepshead Bay since 1955. Bernie’s Bait and Tackle carries a “full line of fishing essentials” able to ship nationwide. Housing a staff with decades of experience, Bernie’s is set apart from a competitive retail landscape.
Owner Michael Giordano told Brooklyn Paper that “there’s not a thing that the larger stores could do better than us. There’s just not,” Giordano said. “We do support small businesses and hope that everyone would also support them when they have the opportunity.”
Private Picassos, Clinton Hill
This art school in Clinton Hill, owned by Valeen Bhat, offers classes and parties for all ages. The business has been a pillar of the neighborhood, especially when it was hit by devastating floods last month. Its location officially reopened on Nov. 18, with plans to double as a community meeting space for flooding and infrastructure management.
Laundry and Latte, Downtown Brooklyn
A business with a unique concept, Laundry & Latte offers exactly what you’d think. Offering modern washing machines and dryers, owner Jean-Roch Dumas opened the business in March 2025.
Partnering with Brooklyn-based coffee vendors and a sense of his home in France, Laundry & Latte provides convenience, connection and delicious drinks.
Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain, Carroll Gardens
Once a bustling pharmacy, owners Gia Giasullo and Peter Freeman repurposed the space to a famous soda shop in 2010. Their nationally recognized egg creams — not containing egg or cream— is a fan-favorite, sitting at the top of the menu. The soda jerks take pride in their delicious drinks, ice cream sundaes and other treats.
Erudito Cannabis Boutique, Columbia Waterfront District
Owner and CEO Fernando Lendof opened the neighborhood’s first legal cannabis dispensary in August, offering customers a unique, boutique experience. It’s a small business that prides on curation, education, wellness and community connection.
Lendof, a New York City native, traveled across the world to learn more about the cannabis industry, shaping his experiences for Erudito. The shop is open seven days a week, with “cannabis curators” present to assist customers with various needs.
Greenlight Bookstore, Fort Greene
Voted New York’s most popular small business, this indie bookstore features a variety of literature for those who travel near and far. Known for alternating trendy displays, it’s known for its “well-curated selection and knowledgeable staff recommendations.”
Founded in 2009 by Jessica Stockton Bagnulo, Greenlight Bookstore has become a cherished member of the community, offering community programming and events like the annual Brooklyn Bookstore Crawl and neighborhood “Where’s Waldo” search.
A Safe Space Studio, Sunset Park
Founded by duo Teya Knapp and Jasmine Dayze in 2024, this wellness studio provides classes at affordable prices as part of a “sister organization to a nonprofit focused on mental health equity.” This relaxing, inclusive space cements itself as a pillar of Sunset Park.
Besides Reiki classes and guided workouts, A Safe Space Studio hosts therapy sessions for individuals and couples. “Sessions will be led by certified BIPOC counselors and social workers, and classes may also be bilingual.”
Whisk & Whiskey, Park Slope
This up-and-coming restaurant, cafe and community hub, founded by Chandra Touch and “Chef Coy” Brown, blends Cambodian and Trinidadian cultures into one. Their strong partnership is evident through every dish, drink and treat.
Their commitment to diversity and inclusion is unmatched. Chandra and Touch intentionally provide liquor from either women-or-minority owned companies and set out to create an inclusive “living room” for Brooklynites of all backgrounds.
