Welcome to the Neighborhood: The Irving Green, 321 East 9th Street
Today we welcome a new small business to our neighborhoods — help us welcome the next. Tell us which new independent store in Greenwich Village, the East Village, or NoHo you’re excited about by emailing us at info@villagepreservation.org.
As advocates for local small business, we find great satisfaction in hearing of new independent establishments opening in our neighborhoods. These arrivals give us hope that reports of the death of mom-and-pops have been greatly exaggerated. Whenever such occasions present themselves, we like to share our enthusiasm with the world in the hopes that others will join us in wishing our new neighbors a warm welcome, and more tangibly, patronize and spread the word to help ensure their success and survival.
The Irish helped build New York City. Now, they’re helping us decorate it! Today, we Welcome to the Neighborhood Irving Green (321 East 9th Street), a home and gift shop with deep Irish roots, where you can find an eclectic mix of timeless traditional designs and contemporary arts and crafts. Its plethora of cozy-making possibilities may just leave you wondering whether to buy something or whether to simply move into the store.
Irving Green is the brainchild of Alison Doyle, a long time East Village resident who immigrated from her native Ireland in 2007 to work in tech. Alison always had an interest in interior design and, even as she pursued her career, she would take on projects for friends as a hobby. She became invested enough in this pastime that she took some time off ten years ago to work at a large furniture store in Brooklyn and learn more about the retail business. After a few months, Alison went back to her career; but the experience planted in her mind the idea of owning a small local store that might give expression to her affinity for products that caught her eye during shopping expeditions. The thought lingered until she learned that the space until recently occupied by the Irish-founded March Hare toy store (our July 2022 Business of the Month) had become available. Alison loved the space, loved the street, and knew enough not to double guess serendipity. In short order, she found herself pursuing a long postponed passion project.
Irving Green’s Irish connection lies at the heart of its identity. This becomes gradually apparent upon examination of the merchandise, which includes beautifully crafted classics such as Foxford blankets, which have been manufactured in County Mayo for over 130 years, and Rathborne Candles, founded in Dublin in 1488.
It is also apparent in less obvious ways, such as the window gold leaf, designed by Dublin artist Simon Robonson, or the store’s logo, designed by Alison’s own brother.
The Irish connection, however, runs deeper than that. Alison has made it a point to also showcase the work of Irish expats, such as photography by Ciaran Tully, who specializes in New York street photography, and prints by Fiona Byrne, a Brooklyn-based Irish designer—products that reflect an interrelation between Ireland and our local neighborhoods, much as the Irving Green does.
The store’s stamps are from compatriot John Casey (our September 2024 Business of the Month, at 322 East 11th St). And Alison would like to partner up on special occasions with local Irish soda bread doyenne Mary O’Halloran (32 Avenue A).
Irving Green’s cultural DNA has not stopped Alison from procuring products of non-Irish provenance whenever they conform to her vision for the store. You can therefore find there, for instance, beautiful ceramics by a Portuguese artist and (right next to baby blankets from Donegal) stuffed animals from the Atlanta-based Mon Ami line, in addition to an idiosyncratic selection of kitchenware, jewelry, stationary, and other assorted items.
Alison is still in the process of figuring out what strikes a chord with customers and of developing exclusive lines, such as an Irving Green tableware by local ceramicist Julie Hardley.
Irving Green is well on its way to realizing Alison’s aspirations for the space. It is a quintessential neighborhood store where the products tell stories and where the stories weave together a network of small businesses, designers, and artists. It’s the kind of place that gives you a reason to keep popping back in, on your way back home, to pick up something for yourself, on your way to a dinner party or to a children’s birthday party, to find a present, or just because you’re in the area and want to be charmed and inspired by beautiful things. Whatever you reason, make sure to swing by Irving Green and wish Alison “céad míle fáilte (welcome to the neighborhood)“!
If you would like us to welcome another independent business to the neighborhood, please let us know at info@villagepreservation.org.