Jan & Aya, currently 30-50% off

Owner, Carolyn Veith Krienke [left] and organic baker, Sarah Magid [middle]


A sample creation from Sarah Magid

This chair was the first thing I saw when I peered through
the papered windows all those months ago.

Sad news Greenpointers. After a year in business on Franklin Street, it is likely that Jan & Aya will close their store and move the whole operation online. I chatted with owner and master interiors curator, Carolyn, at her cupcake farewell party on Sunday (the cupcakes made by Sarah Magid* were amazing of course. Oh the frosting! But I digress...) Where was I in this sentence?

Anyway, Carolyn said that they will have discussions this month on what exactly to do with the space and the incredible backyard. There will most certainly be a push to grow their online business; but they might retain the space to do some fun designer events. Stay tuned for updates. In the meantime, you can drool over the desserts you missed.

See all previous posts on Jan & Aya here.

Attention shoppers: there are some great deals to be had at Jan & Aya. Especially on the jewelry! Stop by this weekend. The store will close at the end of March.


Jan & Aya
99 Franklin Street
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
718.609.1404


*Sarah has a book coming out in June 2009. Congratulations Sarah! The launch will be held at Word, right in the neighborhood. More details to follow on this.

The cupcakes! By Sarah Magid. Check out her Website here.

As always at Jan & Aya, you can find beautiful objects with delicate details
such as this porcelain mushroom (approx. $12. by Roost) I fell in love.


Cupcake like, no? This felt flower pin is so precious.
Made by Llubav Choy Duerr

Julie Floersch, Denim on Denim II (pillow), 2008, found denim, $350.


Framed sketch by master denim quilter, Julie Floersch

Within the last two years, Franklin Street has supported the openings of three designer-driven boutiques (Dalaga, Alter, Hayden-Harnett), a bookstore (Word), a record store (Permanent Records), a furniture store (Claank), a Dominican-French restaurant (Casa Mon Amour), a cafe (Brooklyn Label), a wine store (to come), and most recently on March 15, a gallery-like boutique with a minimalist aesthetic called Jan & Aya.

Excited to examine the merchandise in person, I took the grand tour from owners, Carolyn and Kai. Jan & Aya, named for the couple's two children, features handmade objects that are well-crafted and beautifully designed. Categories include home (poufs, candles and soaps, pottery, glassware, art), child (shoes, clothing, toys), self (jewelry, tees, shoes), and come Sunday, cakes. Organic cakes from artisanal baker Sarah Magid will be available by the slice or by the cake every weekend. In the summer, customers will be able to enjoy a slice of cake on the back patio with some lemonade. That sounds great.

When asked why the couple chose Franklin Street for their first retail venture, Carolyn replied eloquently, "This is the street that is having a kind of Renaissance as far as community-based businesses. It speaks to the artist's community of Greenpoint."


Jan & Aya
99 Franklin Street
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
718.609.1404

Store hours:
Thursday-Friday 1-7pm
Saturday noon-7pm

Sunday noon-5pm

Are there plans for more shoes? According to Carolyn, there will be clogs for adults,
hand-painted clogs for kids, and come summer, flip flops of the Brazilian variety.

Set of 6 nesting bowls, $180.
Tea towels, right, by Skinny LaMinx.

The peaceful mood at Jan & Aya: fresh flowers and blossoming branches
mixed among the minimalist displays, exposed brick, white floors, vaulted ceilings,
and a sheer curtain that hints at a backyard patio space, to come.


Children's moccasins, $34; Owl, $38, both by Zid Zid


Poufs by Zid Zid, $80-$260.

Art pins by Ashley G., $3.
Carolyn found this artist on Etsy.

[an invitation for you; click to enlarge]

I am eager to share with you my photos and thoughts from my recent shopping trip to Jan & Aya. I also got a chance to interview owners, Carolyn and Kai, who have big plans for the store, and the back patio, to come. (You know how I love patios.) But I can't just yet.

The article is all done, but I submitted it to another magazine and I am waiting to hear back. In the interest of not scooping myself, I bring you the above invitation for Jan & Aya's Sweet Sundays. The next event is April 6.

Many thanks to Heather at Skinny laMinx for the referral yesterday! Heather designs these tea towels, which are available at the store. I wish I could show your readers my article. Stay tuned for more news and developments.

Jan & Aya, the latest addition to the Franklin Street boutique scene, is now open. For some background on the store, check out this previous post, and then join me for a shopping trip this Thursday. Store hours are Thursday-Friday 1-7pm, Saturday noon-7pm, and Sunday noon-5pm.


Jan & Aya
99 Franklin Street
Greenpoint, Brooklyn
718.609.1404

A new boutique coming to Franklin Street!

A sneak peak through the paper.

Jan & Aya on Franklin Street in Greenpoint. When will it open? What kind of store will it be? I see a nice white rocking chair. I see cubby holes. Perhaps shoes. Perhaps clothing. Perhaps both!

Hey, there's a Website.

***
Update, 3.6.2008
Word on the street is that they will feature housewares made by local artists. I wrote to Jan & Aya. We'll see what they say.

Update, 3.17.2008
I received an email back from Jan & Aya owner, Carolyn. Here's what she had to say:

My store will feature beautiful handmade objects for the home, to wear, to smell, to play, to eat, etc... Made by local, American and some international artists and designers. Every season will be themed and feature artists and events.

My hours will be Thurs-Sun 1-7pm to start... Hopefully by May it will be open more often.