A popular shopping crawl that aims to showcase local stores in Astoria is returning Friday (Photo of HiFi Records & Cafe via Instagram. The store is participating in the crawl).
Nov. 22, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
A popular shopping crawl that aims to showcase local stores in Astoria is returning on Black Friday and will run for six days.
The crawl encourages residents to shop at local mom-and-pop stores either in person or online. Nearly 30 businesses throughout the neighborhood are joining in the event – making it the biggest crawl in its eight-year history.
Shop Small Astoria, a group that promotes local businesses, is organizing the event that will take place from Friday, Nov. 25 through Wednesday, Nov. 30. The crawl is called Shop Small Astoria and is named after the group.
All of the participating stores are independently owned and include clothing stores, bookshops, pet services facilities as well as arts and crafts stores. Other businesses include a florist and a music store.
The promotion is centered around a “passport,” available at any of the 29 participating stores. Shoppers are encouraged to get their passport stamped by a store when they spend at least $10 on goods.
Customers who shop at 10 or more participating small businesses in Astoria – and get their passport stamped at each store after a purchase — will be entered into a draw to win a grand prize worth $600.
The grand prize includes a $150 gift card to spend at Dollface, a beautician located at 31-13 23rd Ave., a $120 gift card for House of Wellness, a massage therapy center located at 31-21 31st St., and a $50 tab at Diamond Dogs, a local bar located at 34-04 31st Ave.
Participants in the draw will also automatically receive a limited-edition Shop Small Astoria mug filled with coupons for various stores. Many participating stores will feature additional promotions, giveaways and deals.
Customers need to drop off their completed passport at The Brass Owl, located at 36-19 Ditmars Blvd., no later than Dec. 2.
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Nicole Panettieri, who founded the crawl and owns The Brass Owl, said she hopes the community comes out in force to support the event given the participating businesses are facing a number of economic challenges.
“Supply chain issues, inflation, war, and gas prices have severely affected business in 2022,” said Panettieri, who also owns The Tiny Owl on Ditmars Blvd.
“We need the support of the community now more than ever.”
Panettieri said she initially established the crawl as a way to unite the local boutiques and promote Astoria as a shopping destination.
She said the event started off with a dozen stores and has grown in size every year.
All participating establishments focus on retail trade and have an Instagram presence, Panettieri said.
The duration of the crawl has also been extended to six days, up from five days compared to the latest edition which was held earlier this year.
For more information about the crawl, click here.
The 29 participating businesses are listed below:
Anoria Boutique
The Astoria Bookshop
Babs Home & Pantry
The Brass Owl
Broadway Silk
Chateau Le Woof
Disco Paws
Earth & Me
Fern Botanica
Fresh Start
Gamestoria NYC
Gift Box
Hellenic Aesthetic
HiFi Records & Cafe
Incasa Decor
Lockwood Gift
Lockwood Paper
Lockwood Style
LoveDay 31
NewtownHQ
NY City Succulents
NYC Pet Services
Pimbeche Vintage
QED
Queens Craft Brigade (Saturday 11/26 only)
The Regal Beagle
Side B
The Tiny Owl
Tom’s Pet Supply
(Poster by Gwen via @bygwench)
Small Shop Astoria Map (Poster by Gwen via @bygwench)
