The home-decor store INCASA, located at 31-88 37th St., is one of more than two dozen businesses taking part in the crawl (Photo of INCASA provided by Eduardo Silva)
Mar. 10, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
A popular shopping crawl that aims to showcase local stores in Astoria is returning later this month.
The crawl encourages residents to shop at local mom-and-pop stores either in person or online. More than two dozen businesses throughout the neighborhood are joining in the crawl.
Shop Small Astoria, a group that promotes local businesses, is organizing the event that will take place from Mar. 21 through Mar. 29. 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, a tabletop games store as well as arts and crafts stores.
The promotion is centered around a “passport,” available at any of the 26 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 $270.
The prize consists of a $150 gift card to spend at Queens Room, a bistro bar located at 36-02 Ditmars Blvd., and one month’s free membership worth $120 at Yug Wellness, a wellness center located at 3801 23rd Ave. Participants in the draw will also automatically receive a “swag bag” filled with goodies and coupons. 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 March 29. The owner of the store, Nicole Panettieri, established the crawl eight years ago.
Eduardo Silva, who owns the home-decor store INCASA, pictured, said the crawl has been a big help in promoting his business (Photo provided by Eduardo Silva)
Shop Small Astoria has proven to be a big hit with customers, as well as store owners who have struggled to stay out of the red during the pandemic.
Eduardo Silva, who owns the home-decor store INCASA, located at 31-88 37th St., said he opened his business just before COVID-19 hit.
Silva said the crawl has played an important role in attracting customers to his store over the last two years. He said that customers who may have not known about his store will likely visit his premises because of the event.
“The crawl is a great way for people to find us,” Silva said.
“People love the experience to shop around and the neighborhood has always been very supportive of small businesses.”
Silva’s store offers handmade home decor items such as pillows, candles, drapes, lamps and accessories.
INCASA collaborates with local creators as well as makers in Mexico and Romania.
For more information about the crawl, click here.
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The 27 participating businesses are listed below:
Anoria Boutique
The Astoria Bookshop
Belief
The Brass Owl
Broadway Silk
Chateau Le Woof
Disco Paws
Earth & Me
Fern Botanica
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
QED
QNS Collaborative
The Regal Beagle
Side B
Tom’s Pet Supply
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