The Mercantile Mayhem Gift Guide Edition: Saucy New Yorkers, Sweet Spreads, Creamy Goodness and Coffee with Other Drinkables
A newsletter about the survival of independent businesses in New York City with a focus on immigrant-owned, storefront retail and CPG enterprises.
What gets me into the holiday spirit? Maybe seeing maniacal pedicab drivers dressed like Santa zigzagging around midtown with souped carriages in tow. And the smell of Christmas trees when they start to be sold on the sidewalks. In any case, I am delighted to create and send you the first official Mercantile Mayhem gift guide. Thank you subscribers.
Why not give gifts that won’t end up in future landfill? These are all local NYC made goods (with one or two exceptions that are just over the border).
This first batch of guides features all the saucy New Yorkers making hot sauces, salsas, chili crisps and crunches, with a couple vinegars, mayo and chutney thrown in. Flavors are often rooted in regions all over the globe, from Mexico to Malaysia, Pakistan to Thailand. Followed by sweet spreads and creamy goodness made in NYC, the last one highlight NYC based coffees and drinkables.
My commentary is minimal, as in, nonexistent, there is just a link for each item, but they are all delicious. Please note there are a handful of items that can only be purchased in NYC.
Please share this newsletter widely with friends, family, co-workers and on social media.
SAUCY NEW YORKERS
SWEET SPREADS & CREAMY GOODNESS
Refrigeration or freezing is needed for some of these gifts.
COFFEE & OTHER DRINKABLES
More NYC-centric gift guides to come—merch, spices, chocolate, NYC stores—I will sent them out soon.
Please share this guide with anyone you think would appreciate it, these are all excellent gifts to give.
Great gift suggestions!