QUEENS — A new campaign to get Kew Gardens residents to shop local kicks off Friday, the organizers said.
"Karing For Kew Gardens," a local group working to improve the neighborhood, came up with the idea and printed 2,000 reusable bags containing various coupons, menus and information about the 12 businesses participating in this pilot program.
Among the participating businesses are Thyme Natural Market, Pink Lily Bakeshop and coffee shop Ateaz.
The bags, featuring a drawing created by local artist and children's book author David Ezra Stein, will be distributed on Sept. 16 by the businesses among their customers throughout the campaign.
The 3 week-long initiative with events and promotions aims to boost local shops and get neighborhood residents familiar with them.
“We want to show appreciation for the businesses that we have here but also we want the businesses to show appreciation for their customers,” said Grace Anker, the owner of local pottery studio The Potter's Wheel who is also a member of Karing for Kew Gardens.
Shop owners said they hope to create a long-lasting network that will help them support one another.
“Kew Gardens has everything you need but not everyone knows all the businesses in the area," said Joseph Martinez, the owner of Dog Days and Cat Nights, who participates in the initiative. "If we can promote each other, it will make it better for all of us.”
The campaign kickoff will coincide with the 25th anniversary of Austin’s Ale House, a popular restaurant and bar, which also takes part in the program. To celebrate, the eatery is throwing a '90s-themed party on Friday, the organizers said.
During the campaign, which ends on Oct. 10, Dog Days and Cat Nights is also inviting locals to the opening of an exhibit that features pictures of local cats on Oct. 1 and 2.
“We still have that sense of community here," said Anker. "We are all very much connected … and we want to keep it that way.”
