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Early Addition
Two new locations in the Park Slope/Windsor Terrace neighborhoods of Brooklyn have discovered that giving is one way to bring in the people.
Sweet Charity, a new boutique on 7th Ave., donates a portion of its profits to two animal sanctuaries, one in Watkins Glen, New York. Sweet Charity has a variety of lovely, and unique, gifts, from vintage table linens to floral gardening hats and jewelry. Gothamist is currently enamored with the floppy gardening hat with matching gloves; it just might be strange to be seen wearing them while watering our one lonely houseplant. However, it is the perfect place to find a special gift while giving to some needy animals as well. Gothamist bought some Mothers' Day gifts there; Mom was delighted.
Lonelyville Coffee, a bit outside the Slope on Prospect Park Southwest (okay, the NY Times says it's in Windsor Terrace), serves a variety of coffee and simple fare with a 50's feel. The proceeds from their old fashioned candies and duck food (intended to feed the ducks at Prospect Park lake across the street), are donated to Animal Haven Shelter. In their first month alone, a tough time for any new business, Lonelyville raised $100 for animals in need. So, while Gothamist enjoyed an ice coffee and one excellent cupcake, Gothamist baby got philanthropic with some creme caramels and candied fruit slices. In addition, Lonelyville's owners are planning a fall food drive and to participate in NY Cares Winter Wishes Program.
Gothamist feels that the potential for charity themed businesses is endless. Grocery stores could donate to the hungry; bars could support rehab centers. What's your favorite way to 'give'?
More information on charitable giving.
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I'm glad you're giving props to Lonelyville- the coffee is great, the treats are tasty, and the baristas are super sweet.
My favorite charity-themed business is Dog Walking For Rainforests, a wonderful collective that donates at least 30% of their profits to small nonprofits & philanthropic projects. Not to mention that my dog loves his walker....
I'm a misanthrope, but animal welfare is probably lowest on my list for charitable giving. I give to my alma mater, cancer research, and lots of services for the homeless.
I support my alma mater and several environmental organizations. Lots of friends and family members have been involved in fundraising walks and runs and I always give to them. Among those, my friend Lisa's efforts stand out, because she has a fundraising store on CafePress to benefit the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I got most of my Christmas gifts there last year.
"The New York Times says it's in Windsor Terrace..." Puh-leeze. It actually IS in Windsor Terrace. Gothamist, get your dogs off Manhattan's streets and a walk bit further into Brooklyn than a Billyburg bar!
The coffee at Lonelyville is at best average. New young WT parents block the counter with their strollers that are sized (on a relative scale) like Hummers for the barely walking set. The prices are more worthy of Union Square than Bartel Pritchard Square. It's nice to have a cafe in the nabe and I'm happy to hear the owners are charitably minded. But with Lonelyville, WT has officially jumped the shark as a neighborhood.
WT, is Lonelyville any better than Crossroads (also mentioned in the article)? Now that is some terrible coffee (though the baristas are friendly).
Oh, my God - could the picture accompanying that article in the NY Times be more irritating? I live somewhat near Crossroads and am bummed to hear that the coffee is terrible. The only other cafe near me is Vox Pop on Cortelyou (which is great, actually).
I have not tried the coffee at Crossroads...but they get in some nice muffins, which are good for a snack as you wait for the F train.
One thing about the Lonelyville building (which I take it is owned by the same folks who started the cafe): they have put in the beginnings of some very pretty window boxes. That building is no beauty architecturally, so it's a real improvement to the block's rather bedraggled look. Now, if we can just get Mike's deli to take down those ugly pennants, and maybe get Louie G's big sign on the corner dimmed down a bit...
There's a lot going on in this area that highlights how the real estate bubble is shifting the neighborhood's population. Up on 7th Ave. south, pricey boutique Shoe Mania is carrying some leather jackets that cost $812.00 (!!!!). On SEVENTH AVE. SOUTH, which at least doesn't LOOK like it's gotten as gentrified as the north side of the Slope. But looks are deceiving, clearly. Makes Lonelyville's $2 cups of tea seem like a bargain.