NOT YOUR MOM OR POP’S GIFT SHOP
by ANITA SARKO
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| She had me with the Bacon candle. We’ve all traipsed through innumerable gift shops and stopped and smelled the roses ... as well as the scents of just about every other flower, herb, the occasional pepper and wine, and definitely vanilla paired with ... EVERYTHING. Z-z-z-Z-Z ... But, BACON? (I sound like that damned Beggin’ Strips dog ...) I’m at MILLY & EARL, a new shop in Williamsburg and I’m speaking with the aforementioned “She”, the very affable owner and founder, Bernadette Libonate. |
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| BERNADETTE, MILLY & "EARL" |
| The shop is named for her family: “Earl” being Matthew Earl Green (“My fella, my Dude”) and Milly being “our little girl”, who has become quite the celebrity, of late. “Milly won the gold medal at the Brooklyn Mutt show!” Libonate announces with pride, showing me a related article on her laptop.
I’ll bet I know what Milly’s favorite candle is. |
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| MANCAN CANDLES, $18. |
| So, let’s applaud the return of the Mom & Pop (& Pup) shop! What’s old is new again ... which isn’t too far from Milly & Earl’s philosophy: The store’s inspiration and attitude are classic, but the feel (“... the curation, the products ...”) is totally modern. The Bacon candle being a good example of this. Along with other off-beat scents, such as Campfire, New Mitt and Fresh Cut Grass, MANCAN CANDLES was created by a 13-year-old Ohio boy whose company motto is “One candle; one meal.” That’s because the cans that the candles are in are recycled soup cans. “It’s a non-profit where they take the soup from the cans and donate to a local soup kitchen.” Libonate explains. That’s pretty advanced, even in this recycle-obsessed climate we’re currently living in (which is a GOOD thing ... or “Mmm Mmm Good” in this case). |
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| I WAS MADE NECKLACES, $40-$54. "She's from Williamsburg." Scalloped ship, heart, and skull Nautical Themed NECKLACE DESIGNS. |
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| STARLING SKULL NECKLACE. "She makes the starling skulls out of recycled bullet casings." |
| The store opened on March 1st, but Libonate kept the opening soft until mid-April. Because it had been two other similar shops before, she wanted people to gradually discover that it was under new management. The previous owner and her husband had both worked at Playboy with Libonate, who was Director of Merchandising there until her resignation in June, 2011. The friend’s husband was rehired at Playboy, so the couple needed to return to LA and Bernadette took over the space. “It was fun how it all came together.” She says. Before her time at Playboy, Libonate toiled as a buyer at Urban Outfitters and Club Monaco. After Playboy, she “hopped around at different companies” (like Marc Jacobs), until she committed to Milly & Earl. |
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| ITALCA Italian SCARVES. Cotton/Cashmere Blend, $44. Left: Union Jack. Bernadette twists and folds the scarf in various configurations:"You know what it is, but when you wear it, it's not as literal, which is nice." Right: Plaid. "I love a good plaid!" Bernadette says, enthusiastically admiring the scarf. |
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| COOK & GATES Tie-Dyed TOTES. Cotton, $40. |
| “We’re putting down roots in Brooklyn. We’re not going anywhere.” She explains, saying that was why the shop was named after her family ... why the name is so personal. “I like to help local designers, featuring the Brooklyn flavor, as well as other small businesses. Local designers are always doing something new, cutting edge and of the moment. And it’s easy to get stock refilled: They’re just around the corner!” She laughs. Nevertheless, if she finds something beautiful ... ”I’m not afraid to go outside of that world.” She singles out the ITALCA Italian scarves as an example. She has me feel them, “They are so soft!” She swoons. I have finally found the perfect place to pick up wonderfully unique and well-priced gifts. The gift shops I’ve investigated in Manhattan either all feature the same selections or the prices are insane. With summer coming, who doesn’t need such a source, if lucky enough to score an invite to someone’s country or seashore getaway? And all those birthdays! I swear, the last gift I bought I ordered from a TV infomercial because I got so tired of looking at the same old things everywhere! |
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| "The Complete Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Man Skills" by Joshua Piven, David Borgenicht & Ben H. Winters: $24.95. "Bike Snob" by Bike Snob NYC: $16.95. "The American Cocktail" by The Editors of Imbibe Magazine: $19.95. "Beer Tasting Tool Kit" by Jeff Alworth: $24.95. |
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| WHALE PLATES. Set of 2. Melamine, $48. |
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| Anchor and Rope COASTERS, $4.50 each. |
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| TWO'S COMPANY Camera CLOCKS, $48. |
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| She changes her stock “as often as possible”, at least weekly. “Everyone else goes to the same showrooms and shows at Javits Center. I’m definitely trying to have more of a fashion edge at Milly & Earl. I want it to be a destination for fashionable casual apparel. I am very tactile. I’ll pay for the comfort level. I’ll pay $50 (wholesale) for good quality and comfort. I don’t like cheap just because it’s cheap.” But she also gets a kick when people are shocked by many of her price tags: “I like it when people think things are more expensive. I’m like, ‘No, it’s $10!’” I can attest to that. I was floored that an amazing pair of big pink mirrored sunglasses were $15! I have an almost identical pair from Oakley that coast me hundreds of dollars. I didn’t hesitate to hand over my credit card! |
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| Vintage SUNGLASSES (The ones I bought), $15. |
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| IZOLA FLASKS, $25-$28. 5 oz flask (Irish Blessing) ... 3 oz flask (Salut!). |
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| Vintage CUFFLINKS (Stock changes weekly), $24. |
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| LUCKIES UK "Magical Bottle Holders," $38. |
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| Despite all the other wonders well displayed within the miniscule shop, the family’s real passion is everything nautical. “I’ve always loved beachy products, a beachy feel. A rope can signify coming together, the ties that bind.” She shows me various rope and knot-related items. A knotted rope is also under the shop’s name at the entrance. “I have a shore house in N.J. It’s where I met Matt.” She points out jewelry from NETTIE KENT, who hails from Nantucket, but now resides in Brooklyn, as epitomizing her penchant for “nautical themed products with edge.” The two times I visited Milly & Earl, the place was bustling with a constant flow of both genders and all ages. It’s not as if this stretch of Williamsburg is loaded with cute stores, so this was definitely destination shopping combined with neighborhood people discovering they had a place to pick up the last minute card or gift. And just about everyone bought something. |
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| Williamsburg-Based BAGGU Leather. POUCHES, $24. Small TOTE, $160. |
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| Clockwise from top left: NETTIE KENT SLICE OF SAND RING, $154. NETTIE KENT DOUBLE NAXOS RING, $174. NETTIE KENT Leather and Brass Wrap BRACELET, $110. |
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| TRIUNE TOPS. 100% Eco-Friendly Cotton ("brand new designer out of Bushwick") The BOX TEE, $32. TRI TANK, $32. |
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| METAL SUGAR DOUBLE TRIANGLE DRUZY RING, $250. "She made those just for the store." |
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| WE SEE STARS JEWELRY Large ARROWHEAD NECKLACES, $44. Turquoise BEARCLAW NECKLACE, $44. |
| About the location: Don’t be spooked if you get hives at the idea of actually leaving Manhattan: The shop is literally one minute’s walk from the third stop on the L train, once it reaches Brooklyn. And once you’ve emerged from this wonderful place, continue with the nautical vibe and head to the next block for some excellent and rationally- priced seafood at SEL DE MARE (374 Graham Ave between Conselyea St & Skillman Ave., 718.387.4181). MILLY & EARL 351 Graham Ave. Between Conselyea St & Metropolitan Ave. Brooklyn, NY 718. 389.0901 http://www.millyandearl.com Hours: Tue-Sat, NOON - 8 PM. Sun, NOON - 5 PM |
Twitter: ShoppingDiary |
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