Some Favorite Arts and Crafts Stores in the Village
In a time when much of our creative life happens online, it’s a gift to find places in our neighborhoods where you can still browse shelves, feel materials in your hands, and talk with someone behind the counter who cares deeply about their craft. The following five shops are all part of Village Preservation’s Business of the Month series, honored for their distinctiveness, rootedness in place, and vitality in an ever-changing retail landscape.
Global Table – 107 Sullivan Street
When we named Global Table our Business of the Month in December 2024, we celebrated not just a home-goods store, but a love letter to design, texture, and connection. Founded in 1996 by Natalie Smith and later taken up by longtime customer Tracy David, Global Table embodies the kind of thoughtful commerce we cherish: curated yet unpretentious, worldly yet neighborly.
Inside the narrow Sullivan Street shop, you’ll find gleaming ceramics from Portugal, hand-painted glassware from Morocco, and a growing selection of locally crafted pieces and vintage finds. Every shelf feels alive with stories of the artisans who made it. As Tracy said, “Each piece has a soul — and people can feel that.”
Global Table reminds us that sustainability can mean longevity, objects made to last, to be repaired, to be loved. Nearly thirty years on, it still feels like a neighborhood secret worth rediscovering.
Casey Rubber Stamp — 322 East 11th Street
When we honored Casey Rubber Stamp in September 2024, we recognized it as one of the East Village’s most delightfully idiosyncratic landmarks. Owner and artist John Casey has operated this whimsical shop since 1979, filling its walls with more than 15,000 stamps: animals, anatomical hearts, celestial patterns, Victorian motifs, and the occasional custom creation.
Casey still makes his stamps the traditional way, by hand-mounting vulcanized rubber on wood blocks, refusing to switch to cheaper synthetic alternatives. His approach is tactile, precise, and deeply analog, the kind of craftsmanship that thrives in a neighborhood known for artistic rebellion and persistence.
As John told us, his shop is “a museum of marks,” but one you can take home in your pocket. In a digital world, his tiny store remains a haven for printmakers, letter writers, and children who still marvel at the joy of ink and paper.
Stevdan Stationers — 473 Sixth Avenue
Our March 2022 Business of the Month, Stevdan Stationers, represents the enduring backbone of the Village’s small business — practical, dependable, and neighbor-focused. For over half a century, Stevdan has provided everything from sketch pads to pens, folders, and art supplies for local students, designers, and professionals.
Owner Ejaz Chaudhry, who took over the shop more than two decades ago, continues the tradition of friendly service and everyday creativity. Many customers have known the staff for years; some first came in as children buying school supplies. “We try to help people find what they need, even if it’s something small,” Ejaz said in our interview.
While others around them have closed or moved, Stevdan endures. It’s the kind of humble institution that keeps the creative ecosystem alive, proving that not every craft story has to be about luxury; sometimes it’s about reliability and care.
Gizmo Notion Corp. — 626 East 14th Street (formerly 160 First Avenue)
Featured as our February 2022 Business of the Month, Gizmo Notion Corp. tells a story of skill, resilience, and neighborhood connection. Founded in 1990 by Hossein Amid and his wife, Rosa Malmed, this East Village sewing supply and machine-repair shop has long been a lifeline for local designers, tailors, and home sewers alike.
Hossein, a mechanical engineer by training, discovered his true vocation through fixing and maintaining sewing machines — combining engineering precision with artisan care. He and Rosa built Gizmo into a community hub where customers can buy thread, buttons, zippers, or get their machine tuned up by “a maestro of the sewing community,” as one reviewer called him.
As we wrote in 2022, “Hossein’s work ethic and craftsmanship are a testament to the values that define small business in our neighborhoods: independence, persistence, and pride in doing things right.” Through changing rents, pandemics, and trends, Gizmo has remained steadfast as a workshop of creativity and kindness.
La Sirena — 27 East 3rd Street
La Sirena, our May 2017 Business of the Month, is a kaleidoscope of color and cultural tradition. Founded by Dina Leor in 1999, this East Village gem celebrates Mexican folk art in all its vibrant forms, from papier-mâché masks and tin milagros to talavera pottery, textiles, and jewelry. Every corner bursts with hand-crafted life.
Dina, who first encountered Mexican art while traveling, has since built long-standing relationships with artisans across Mexico, ensuring their work reaches new audiences while supporting their livelihoods. As she told us, “Each piece tells a story of faith, family, and joy.”
La Sirena is more than a shop; it’s an education in cultural continuity. It stands as a reminder that craft connects people across borders and generations.
To explore more of our Businesses of the Month or to nominate a business, click here.