PARK SLOPE — Two business owners with longtime ties to the neighborhood have opened new shops.
Judy Kow, owner of Tarzian West, recently opened a new housewares boutique called Lucky Rubber Ducky at 196 Seventh Ave. between Second and Third streets (right next door to Tarzian West).
On Eighth Avenue and 13th Street, the former owner of Sweet Charity has returned to Park Slope with a new store called Libra.
While the packed-to-the-gills Tarzian West focuses on kitchen and bathroom items, Lucky Rubber Ducky sells a carefully curated selection of products for the rest of the house, including throw pillows, blankets, and a few electronics, Kow said.
"The aesthetic is modern meets contemporary," Kow said. "There's a little bit of something for everyone." The shop stocks merchandise from around the world, all of which has been vetted by the store's own in-house creative director, Kow said.
Tarzian West opened in 1977 and Kow bought it in 2008. The space where Lucky Rubber Ducky opened was previously Good Footing shoe store, which moved to 316 Seventh Ave. near Eighth Street.
Libra, at 1304 Eighth Ave. between 13th and 14th streets, is a new version of Sweet Charity, the small home decor shop on Seventh Avenue and 14th Street that closed in 2014 after nearly 10 years in business, owner Jennifer Parsons told DNAinfo New York. Libra's space was formerly a pilates studio.
Photo: Facebook/Libra
After closing Sweet Charity, Parsons moved upstate and opened a store (also called Libra) in Tannersville, but now she's closed that boutique and moved back to Park Slope. Libra sells "a special collection of home goods, gifts, jewelry and clothing with an emphasis on local artisans and fair trade companies," according to its website.
Parsons said her current favorite items at Libra are "whimsical" Christmas ornaments, as well as "lots of beautiful outfits and jewelry for the holidays."
Other recent Openings & Closings in the neighborhood include:
Photofaction Closes in Park Slope But Other Local Places Still Process Film
Brooklyn Brainery Opening Windsor Terrace Location
Flora Brings 'Authentic' Italian to Park Slope; Scalino and Lobo Close
Blue Bottle Coffee Opens in Park Slope with Free Drinks
'Ovenly' and 'Snowdays' to Open Near Barclays Center This Winter
'Top Chef' Alum Opens A&E Supply Co. in Gowanus With Coffee and Doughnuts
Soup Bowl Brings Cold Weather Comfort Food to Park Slope