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LIC042016

Retail BY ERICA SIUDZINSKI Homemade In the most diverse neighborhood in the country, this local shop is looking to promote the local color. Long Island City will soon see an influx of entrepreneurship with the arrival of MadeinQNS at Queens Plaza in June 2016. The boutique and pop-up shop will feature locally made artisanal, craft, design goods, home accessories and food products by Queens and New York based artists and designers. An extension of the Queens Economic Development Corporation, MadeinQNS will host a rotating selection of products for one year with a monthly curatorial theme. The shop aims to promote the diversity of local makers, entrepreneurs, and community partners and their stories, and to provide an opportunity for local businesses to grow. “We curate the actual presentation and the manufacturer can go do business development, or their full-time job,” said QEDC Director of Business Services, Sante Antonelli, citing the unique role this boutique will play in cultivating the development of small, local businesses. “We help people start businesses. One of their biggest issues is, ‘Where do I sell my stuff?’ We’re looking to give the local manufacturer who has a creative idea a boost.” MadeinQNS promises everything from basics such as furnishing, visual merchandising and a social media presence, to personalized sales representatives to showcase products and the Merchants’ Story Showcase, all in a personal and unique boutique atmosphere. In a difficult retail atmosphere, the shop particularly focuses on promoting conscious consumerism through small batch, locally made products to compete with the growing trend of off-shored, mass produced products. “We see entrepreneurs every day,” Santonelli said. “We know how important it is to have something that has a soul. What’s happening internationally and overseas is the opposite of that. We want something that is unique and locally manufactured.” MadeinQNS will initially work out of its Queens Plaza storefront at 27-24 Queens Boulevard South, but may expand to online sales and deliveries. Though QEDC is keeping it hushed, some of the local vendors will include a handcrafted jewelry vendor, a handbag designer, and food manufacturers from an LIC incubator. Want to have your Queens swag featured in the boutique? There is currently an open call for retailers for the pop-up space. Apply now, as applications are considered on a rolling basis. The shop will be open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for public perusal. To stay up to date with MiQ’s progress and to get discounts, subscribe at madeinqueens.nyc MadeinQNS pop-up boutique will feature exclusively locally made goods and food


LIC042016
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