New Kids on the Block-The Locavore Variety Store

By Arthur Schwartz

LOCAVORE INTERIOR. Photo by Arthur Schwartz.

Caroline Weaver is the founder of The Locavore Variety Store, which is the physical manifestation of The Locavore Guide, a detailed database of over 13,000 local shops within New York City. In the process of creating the ultimate “shop small” NYC database, Caroline has visited 129 neighborhoods and walked over 40,000 city blocks and the Locavore Variety Store reflects this. Located in Manhattan’s West Village, the store features local products, all made within 100 miles of NYC. When she was 24, Caroline opened up her first shop. It was a specialty pencil store in the Lower East Side. She operated that shop for several years before shutting it down to pursue other opportunities.

700+ products from 130+ brands are nestled tightly within the shop’s four walls, and the eclectic product assortment can have you spending an hour just looking

From homewares like beautiful brooms handmade in Brooklyn and table linens to beauty and wellness items like artist-made body oil, to gourmet goods like dried fettuccine, chocolates, all kinds of cooking oils, syrups, jams, jellies, cute utensils, all kinds of flour, spices, the store has a little of everything.

We went looking for some unique birthday items for tough to please Villagers and walked out with two bags full.

Locavore also publishes an online shopping guide featuring local businesses.

The Locavore Variety Store is located at 434 Sixth Avenue.