Welcome (again, for some of you) to my new newsletter about NYC's Mercantile Mayhem
This newsletter is about the survival of independent businesses in New York City, with a special focus on immigrant-owned, storefront retail and CPG businesses.
Greetings to the many new readers! I wanted to send you my first newsletter I sent out last Tuesday retroactively, but there is no easy way to do it on Substack (unless I’m missing something). So, if you are curious what my Mercantile Mayhem newsletter is about, click this link to see my first newsletter. I am planning to send this newsletter out every two weeks. And yes, correct, it’s been less than a week since my last one, but there is an event tonight (see below) in NYC for those interested in being a vendor at the Queens Night Market. I wanted to get the info out (ok, I admit it, writing this newsletter is also a blast). But first, some news…
Chef Pierre Thiam and His Fonio-Centric Mission
I’m delighted that my photo was used in an Esquire article about the phenomenal Chef Pierre Thiam, written by Jeff Gordinier. I wrote about Chef Thiam for the Guardian back in 2014 (and for other publications in 2019 and 2021) when he was just starting to import the West African grain fonio for mainstream consumption. Chef Thiam, originally from Senegal, is also a cookbook author, restaurateur, he had a TED Talk and he recently launched a foundation.
Sour Skulls, TikTok and BonBon
A Swedish candy TikTok craze started a month ago and BonBon on Allen Street has been flooded with customers, Sour Skulls are in demand. I walked by on Sunday and they needed a bouncer of sorts for crowd control. (And FYI BonBon does carry some Finnish brands, for anyone interested in mind blowing chocolate and licorice…)
I interviewed the three BonBon co-founders in 2019 for the Observer (note: the exact same story is on my website if you don’t want to read it with multiple toenail fungus ads). At the time, they sold a special “ice cream glove” inspired by Ali G, proceeds went to Planned Parenthood.
This Eater story by Bettina Makalintal explains the Swedish candy TikTok craze. General consensus seems to be these viral social media-induced trends causing insane surges in demand are good for small businesses, as long as they are prepared with extra staff—or Oopma Loompas as BonBon calls them—and product.
Something Fishy
Yuji Haraguchi is the owner of the local Japanese fish market Osakana and is suing the supermarket chain Wegmans, which opened their first New York City location in October 2023. Haraguchi claims Wegmans stole his Japanese fish market concept, they had been in negotiations, for their seafood market Sakanaya, located within the Astor Place supermarket. He accuses Wegmans of “fraud, cultural appropriation, corporate bullying, defamation, trademark infringement, and more,” according to Cris Crowley, who wrote about it for Grub Street. A thorough history of business dealings, interactions, NDAs and other tidbits can be found on Haraguchi’s change.org petition.
Opportunities
Link for vendors interested in applying to Smorgasburg’s 2024 season, three locations, the season runs April to October. Cost to vendor per day is $400 to $600.
I love Queens Night Market, the exquisite nighttime food market in Flushing, Queens that’s in operation during the warmer months. Entertaining the thought of being a Queens Night Market vendor? If so, there will be a free three-part session for potential vendors on February 26 (tonight), March 6 and March 13, provided in part by NYC Small Business Services. It’s free but you need to RSVP.
This is the link to apply to Queens Night Market directly.
I heard about a commercial rent negotiation workshop through Accompany Capital, one of the the best organizations in New York City. It primarily helps immigrants and refugees with financial issues, from actual small business loans to workshops about building credit as a new arrival. This commercial rent workshop is provided by NYC Small Business Services and Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation Associated aka Brooklyn A. All six commercial rent workshops throughout the spring, are free and virtual, but note that your business needs to meet certain requirements.
Speaking of commercial rents, I spotted Marni Halasa yesterday at the Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown, we first met in 2018 when there was the slightest chance of the SBJSA (Small Business Jobs Survival Act) passing, a form of commercial rent regulation. I don’t think any form of commercial rent regulation will ever exist in New York City, the real estate sector is too powerful. But hopefully landlords will see the value in giving independent businesses a decent, affordable rent.
If you are a foreign student at NYU who is starting, or entertaining, a life of entrepreneurship in the US, this upcoming workshop could be for you. (I will find other events open to everyone and/or at different schools in future newsletters). This March 6 workshop is about international students who likely need visas to launch startup in the US featuring Michael Serotte who is the founder of Serotte Law. His law firm is the legal partner of Unshackled Ventures, which invests in startups with immigrant founders.
Random Photo From The Mercantile Mayhem Archives
Thank you for reading,
Nina
PS I want to keep this newsletter free for readers (I mean, unless readers want to pay—and some of you have—a massive thaaaaaaaank you!) and get funding through sponsorship instead, which would be clearly stated. If your organization, institution or business is interested in sponsorship, please email me at ninarobertsnyc@gmail.com.
Well done, Nina.