On Saturday, November 23rd, get a jump on your holiday shopping and support small business at this year’s #ShopBleecker Day as part of the month-long promotion of small businesses along this local thoroughfare. Participating businesses will be offering great deals, giveaways, and discounts. There will also be some fantastic prize packages valued at $2,000 each being raffled off to shoppers. And as if that wasn’t enough, tomorrow they will also be holding their Sip and Shop event and the ten blocks west of Sixth Avenue will be transformed into a cocktail party with sips and nibbles.

#ShopBleecker started two years ago as an attempt to revitalize the area plagued with empty storefronts.  Since then more than two dozen new businesses moved into the neighborhood and the Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce wants to celebrate. You can visit www.shopbleecker.nyc for a list of participating businesses, deals, and events. Village Preservation will be contributing to the celebration today with a walking tour highlighting the architecture and history of this bustling thoroughfare. Here are some of the participating businesses which also happened to be Village Preservation Businesses of the Month and/or Village Preservation Village Awardees.

Murray’s Cheese- 254 Bleecker Street -Village Award in 2000

These days it seems you can’t miss Murray’s Cheese, the well-known South Village shop devoted to all things cheese. It’s been featured in the New York Times and the food blog Eater, all for what Villagers have known for a long time: Murray’s is a true Village treasure. Village Preservation awarded the shop a Village Award in 2000 – when the store was located across the street at 257 Bleecker Street. Today they offer cheese and meats from around the world as well as their own cheeses developed in their state of the art cheese-aging caves.

Li-Lac Chocolates-162 Bleecker Street  -Business of the Month in December 2015

The holiday season is a time for family, treats, and lots of sweets, and what better way to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit than with one of Greenwich Village’s own chocolate houses.  Li-Lac Chocolates, one of Manhattan’s oldest chocolatiers, has been a Greenwich Village staple for over 90 years.  Founded in 1923, the first Li-Lac was started by a Greek immigrant named George Demetrious at 120 Christopher Street.  Mr. Demetrious had previously learned the art of chocolate making in France and used his expertise and innovation to develop a loyal following within the Village. Using original recipes and old-world cooking methods from the 1920s, Li-Lac Chocolates are still made in small batches and are a true treat!

Village Music World- 197 Bleecker Street –Business of the Month in November 2017

Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village has always been at the center of the music world — a home for musicians, performance venues, and music stores. Many beloved record shops have come and gone, but for over 30 years, Village Music World at 197 Bleecker Street is still spinning. They offer CD’s, DVD’s, vinyl records and so much more! And unlike other record shops, at Village Music World they do not specialize in any one genre but cover a wide spectrum of music.